Managing Public Folders in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

Executive Summary:

Public folder management in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 must be done with Windows PowerShell commands. Windows PowerShell commands follow a predictable verb-noun-name-argument structure. Using the PowerShell commands for public folder management, you can create or delete public folder databases and public folders, set properties and permissions on public folders, and view statistical data. Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1) reintroduces public folder management with a graphical user interface (GUI).

Microsoft shocked some people when it announced that public folders are deprecated in Exchange Server 2007. Although it’s a perfectly valid English term, few people use deprecated in daily conversation. In this case, it means that a feature is on its way out. Microsoft wants to remove public folders from Exchange because the company believes that public folders don’t add enough user value to justify the engineering effort required to maintain them. The official stance is that Microsoft will support public folders until at least 2016, but the writing is on the wall. Let’s explore public folder management in Exchange 2007 and what changes you can expect in Exchange 2007 SP1. . . .