How to Decommission An Exchange 2007 Server? Complete Solution

Summary: In this write-up, we will guide and help users on how to decommission an Exchange 2007 Server after migration to the Exchange 2019, 2016, 2013 or 2010 from Windows Server 2008 & 2003.

As everyone know that Microsoft is upgrading the Exchange Server version and its services day by day. So, after successfully migrating the Exchange Server 2007 to Exchange 2010 and above versions. It is necessary for users to decommission the Exchange 2007 from the server via remove/add programs in MS Windows Server.

It require preparation to remove the Exchange & uninstall the server. Users have to perform many functions such as: Exchange Server objects, uninstall server roles, child objects from AD (Active Directory) and remove the installation files.

Pre-requisites to Decommission Exchange Server 2007

Users should have admin account access to uninstall the Exchange 2007 Server. The account must assign the role of Exchange Organization Administrator to the organization’s respective DBA (Database Administrator). Members of the Exchange organization administrator have the highest level of permissions in an Exchange organization.

It is essential because the members of Exchange Organization Administrators have a set of permissions which includes:

1. Exchange organization owners in the configuration container of AD (Active Directory)
2. Configuration data of entire local server
3. In the Active Directory all domain user container must read access
4. Provide write access to every Exchange database specific features in the domain users container in AD

Pro Tip: It is important to backup the entire Exchange database before decommission or uninstall the Exchange Server 2007 to safe the data safe & secure as well as avoid the loss of data. For that, you can use the Exchange EDB Converter Software provided by SysTools, which is used by many IT Experts, Exchange and Novice users. Users can use this utility to export multiple offline Exchange database file to PST and multiple file formats as backup in a simplified manner with no data loss. It also provides scan mode option (Quick & Advance scan) which can easily repair EDB file from corruption without any loss of data in a hassle freeway.

Free Download Purchase Now

Solution for How to Decommission An Exchange 2007 Server

Users can uninstall the Exchange Server 2007 from Windows Server 2008 / 2003 in two ways:

1. By using Graphical User Interface
2. With the help of Command Prompt

These both solution are mentioned in the below section but before that user have to prepare the Exchange 2007 for decommission. For this, insert the cmdlet given below:

1. Remove the default Exchange Public Folders

2. Then, remove the system public folder

3. After that, remove OAB (Offline Address Book)

Get-OfflineAddressBook

Remove-OfflineAddressBook

4. Remove the send connectors

Get-SendConnector

Remove-SendConnector

5. Remove the public folder database (SBS 2011/Exchange 2010 only)

Get-PublicFolderDatabase

Remove-PublicFolderDatabase

6. Then, remove the Exchange arbitration mailboxes (SBS 2011/Exchange 2010 only)

Get-Mailbox -Arbitration

Disable-Mailbox -Arbitration -DisableLastArbitrationMailboxAllowed

7. Lastly, remove the Exchange mailboxes

Get-Mailbox

Disable-Mailbox

When preparation is done successfully now users can use the method given below to remove the Exchange Server 2007.

Solution 1: Steps to Decommission Exchange 2007 Server Via Control Panel

Step 1: Log in to the server from where users have to uninstall Exchange Server 2007

Step 2: Go to control panel >> Select the Add/Remove programs >> Select the Microsoft Exchange Server >> Click on Remove

Step 3: Select the Next button on the Exchange Maintenance mode page in the Exchange 2007 Server setup wizard

Step 4: On Server Role Selection page >> uncheck all server role and management tool checkboxes >> Then, click next

Step 5: After the checks are completed, click on Uninstall >> Then, click on Finish

Solution 2: Uninstall & Decommission Exchange Server 2007

Step 1: Login to the server from which you want to remove the Exchange 2007

Step 2: Open the Command Prompt >> Use the CD cmdlet to change the directory where Exchange Server 2007 is installed

Step 3: Then, go to the \bin directory >> Use the command “setup.com /mode:uninstall” to uninstall the Exchange Server

Step 4: When you eliminate the mailbox server from system, then also eliminate the EDB file & storage log file from server

Step 5: Remove the virtual server which is created on the Exchange 2007 i.e.

1. OWA
2. OAB
3. MS Server ActiveSync

Bringing All Together

Now users have complete information on how to decommission an Exchange 2007 Server after migrating to the Exchange 2019, 201, 2013 & 2010 from Windows Server 2003 & 2008. But before uninstalling the Exchange Server 2007 it is necessary for users to backup the Exchange database and mailboxes to safe & secure from corruption, data loss, etc… For that, users can use the advanced software mentioned here which easily bulk export mailbox to PST Exchange 2010, 2013, 2016 from offline/dismounted Exchange database file in a simplified way with no data loss. Also, it provides Quick & Advance scan to recover and repair Exchange mailbox as well as EDB file from corruption in a hassle freeway.