Applies to: Exchange Server 2007 SP3, Exchange Server 2007 SP2, Exchange Server 2007 SP1, Exchange Server 2007
Topic Last Modified: 2009-04-09

This topic explains how to use the Exchange Management Console or the Exchange Management Shell to convert a user mailbox to a linked mailbox.

A linked mailbox is a mailbox that is associated with an external account. The resource forest scenario is an example of when you would want to associate a mailbox with an external account. In a resource forest scenario, user objects in the Exchange forest have mailboxes, but the user objects are disabled for logon. You must associate these mailbox objects in the Exchange forest with enabled user objects in the external accounts forest.

The Set-Mailbox command includes the ability to perform mailbox class conversions for shared, regular, and equipment mailboxes. However it does not provide this option for linked mailboxes. Linked mailboxes may be created when an Associated External Account is incorrectly linked to the SELF account, or the Associated External Account is incorrectly configured when you migrate from Exchange 2000 or Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007 within the same forest.

Do not try to make any changes to the Associated External Account settings. Instead, you must first move the mailbox from Exchange 2000 or Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2007. In this case, a linked mailbox is created. You must follow the steps in the "Procedure" section to correct the issue.

For more information about how to deploy Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 in a resource forest topology, see How to Deploy Exchange 2007 in an Exchange Resource Forest Topology.

Before You Begin

To perform the following procedures, the account that you use must be delegated the following:

  • Exchange Recipient Administrator role

For more information about permissions, delegating roles, and the rights that are required to administer Exchange 2007, see Permission Considerations.

Procedure

To use the Exchange Management Console to convert a user mailbox to a linked mailbox

  1. Disable the user mailbox so that the mailbox object in the Exchange store is disconnected from the user object. For detailed instructions, see How to Disable a Mailbox.

  2. Start Active Directory Users and Computers.

  3. Expand the domain container, and then click Users.

  4. Right-click the name of the user whose mailbox that you want to convert to a linked mailbox, and then click Disable Account.

  5. Connect the mailbox as a linked mailbox. For detailed instructions, see How to Connect a Mailbox.

To use the Exchange Management Shell to convert a user mailbox to a linked mailbox

  1. Start the Exchange Management Shell.

  2. Run the following command:

    Copy Code 
    Disable-Mailbox -Identity "<MailboxIDParameter>"

    This command disconnects the mailbox object in the Exchange store from the user object in the Active Directory directory service.

  3. To create a credential object, run the following command:

    Copy Code 
    $c = Get-Credential

    You are prompted for credentials. Specify an account that has permissions to access the domain controller in the forest where the user account resides. You will use the LinkedDomainController parameter to specify the domain controller. This domain controller will be used to obtain security information for the account to which you are linking the mailbox object.

  4. Start Active Directory Users and Computers.

  5. Expand the domain container, and then click Users.

  6. Right-click the name of the user whose mailbox that you want to convert to a linked mailbox, and then click Disable Account.

  7. To reconnect the mailbox object in the Exchange store to an external user object, run the following command:

    Copy Code 
    Connect-Mailbox -Identity "<MailboxIDParameter>" -User "<UserIdParameter>" -Database "<DatabaseIdParameter>" -LinkedDomainController "<Fqdn>" -LinkedMasterAccount "<UserIdParameter>" -LinkedCredential "<PSCredential>"

To use the Exchange Management Shell to convert a linked mailbox to a user mailbox

  1. Start the Exchange Management Shell.

  2. Run the following command:

    Copy Code 
    Disable-Mailbox -Identity "<MailboxIDParameter>"
    Note:
    This removes all Exchange properties on the user account in Active Directory. In this scenario, the mailbox is not deleted. Only the connection between the account and mailbox is removed.

  3. Reconnect the mailbox to the account:

    Copy Code 
    Connect-Mailbox -Identity "<MailboxIDParameter>" -Database "<DatabaseIdParameter>" -User "<UserIdParameter>"

  4. Verify the properties of the mailbox in Exchange Management Console, and make sure it is now a user mailbox.

To use the Exchange Management Shell to convert a linked mailbox to a room mailbox

  1. Start the Exchange Management Shell.

  2. Run the following command:

    Copy Code 
    Disable-Mailbox -Identity "<MailboxIDParameter>"
    Note:
    This removes all Exchange properties on the user account in Active Directory. In this scenario, the mailbox is not deleted. Only the connection between the account and the mailbox is removed.

  3. Reconnect the mailbox to the account:

    Copy Code 
    Connect-Mailbox -Identity "<MailboxIDParameter>" -Database "<DatabaseIdParameter>" -Room "<UserIdParameter>"

  4. Verify the properties of the mailbox in the Exchange Management Console, and then make sure it is now a room mailbox.

For detailed syntax and parameter information, see the Disable-Mailbox and Connect-Mailbox reference topics.

For More Information

For more information about how to convert other kinds of mailboxes, see How to Convert a Mailbox.