Remove Exchange Server 2007 After Migration to 2010/2013

Problem

How to remove Exchange Server 2007 after migration to 2010/2013? - This is a question that is enquired about by a majority of Exchange Server users. In the modern scenario, users may find it difficult to remove Exchange Server 2007 from their system as they have migrated all their Exchange data to 2010/2013. Removal of a server from a forest means that data from it needs to be migrated over to another server, which again is a lengthy procedure.

Solution

There are some workarounds, which are discussed below. It helps to resolve the problems faced by users in removing Exchange Server 2007. However, before that the user should consider the following points:

1. All the FQDNs Client Access Server should point to new Exchange
2. Mail Flow connectors are pointing to new Exchange
3. Abbreviations and users are moved to new Exchange
4. The entire public server database has been moved to new Exchange if the user is using public folder

Now user can implement the workarounds for decommission of Exchange Server 2010

• Exchange Server 2007 Setup Wizard

  1. First, log on to server 2007 to remove Exchange 2007
  2. Open Control Panel >> Add or Remove programs >> MS Exchange Server >> Remove
  3. Now on the Exchange Maintenance Mode page of the Exchange Server 2007 setup wizard, select Next button
  4. Uncheck all the checkboxes of server role as well as Management Tools on the Server Role Selection page >> Next
  5. Click on Uninstall after the checks are completed >> Finish

• Setup.com Command

  1. Logon to first the server from which you want to remove Exchange 2007
  2. Open CMD in your system and traverse to the directory from where Exchange Server 2007 files are installed.
  3. Now navigate to the directory of \bin
  4. For Setup.com, use the syntax setup.com/mode:uninstall
  5. If you are eliminating the mailbox server from the system, then also eliminate the database file of Exchange as well as storage log files group from the server.
  6. Eradicate the virtual servers, which are created for Exchange 2007, i.e.
     • OWA
     • MS Server ActiveSync
     • OAB

Conclusion

In the above post, decommission of Exchange Server 2010 is discussed. The relevant workaround to remove Exchange Server 2007 after migration to 2010/2013 is discussed in the above blog post. You can benefit from the steps highlighted in the piece of information shared above to fulfill the requirements in a sequential manner. However, do remember to make the prerequisites available for the procedure to be carried out in a successful manner.
Keep reading my Exchange server Blog to learn more about Exchange Server & Office 365.

Tej Pratap Shukla
about.me/tejpratap
Follow @expert_tps
Previous Blog: Assign Send as Permission in Exchange 2010
 

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