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 Shell to convert a mailbox to a different type of mailbox. You can use this procedure to perform the following mailbox conversions:

Note:
You cannot use the Exchange Management Console to convert a mailbox.

For more information about how to convert to a linked mailbox, see How to Convert a Mailbox to a Linked Mailbox.

A scenario in which you may want to convert a mailbox is if you have moved resource mailboxes from Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 or Exchange 2000 Server to Exchange Server 2007. In Exchange 2003 and Exchange 2000, you had to use shared mailboxes to represent resources. When you move these mailboxes to Exchange 2007, they will be Exchange 2007 shared mailboxes. You must convert them from Exchange 2007 shared mailboxes to Exchange 2007 resource mailboxes so that they will have all the properties of Exchange 2007 resource mailboxes.

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.

In this case, 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 "Procedures" section to correct the issue.

Before You Begin

To perform the following procedures, the account 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 Server 2007, see Permission Considerations.

Procedure

Note:
Make sure you use the Disable-Mailbox command and not the Remove-Mailbox command in this procedure. If deleted mailbox retention is not enabled, the Remove-Mailbox command immediately deletes the mailbox and all its contents. By default, the Keep Deleted Mailboxes attribute is set for 30 days in Exchange 2007.

To use the Exchange Management Shell to convert a mailbox

  • To convert a shared mailbox to a resource mailbox, run the following command:

    Copy Code 
    Set-Mailbox ConfRoom1 -Type Room

    You can use the following values for the Type parameter:

    • Regular

    • Room

    • Equipment

    • Shared

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 the 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 the 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 Exchange Management Console, and then make sure it is now a room mailbox.

For detailed syntax and parameter information, see the Set-Mailbox reference topic.