Applies to: Exchange Server 2013

Topic Last Modified: 2013-02-18

Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Setup can’t continue because it found a duplicate Microsoft Exchange System Objects container in Active Directory Domain Naming context. When Setup finds a duplicate Microsoft Exchange System Objects container, you must delete the duplicate container before Setup can continue. When a duplicate Microsoft Exchange System Objects container exists, you can’t solve the problem by running DomainPrep again. You must identify and delete the duplicate Microsoft Exchange System Objects container.

To resolve this issue, do the following:

1. Log on to the domain controller with administrative credentials.
   
   
2. In Administrative Tools, click Active Directory Users and Computers.
   
   
3. In the Active Directory Users and Computers management console pane, click View from the toolbar menu and then select Advanced Features.
   
   
4. Locate the duplicate Microsoft Exchange System Objects container.
   
   
5. Verify the duplicate Microsoft Exchange System Objects container doesn’t contain valid Active Directory objects.
   
   
6. Right-click the duplicate Microsoft Exchange System Objects container, and then click Delete.
   
   
7. Confirm the deletion by clicking Yes in the Active Directory dialog box.
   
   

Having problems? Ask for help in the Exchange forums. Visit the forums at: Exchange Server, Exchange Online, or Exchange Online Protection

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