KB ID 0000227

Problem

While trying to uninstall Exchange 2007 you see the following error.

“Uninstall cannot continue: Database ‘Public Folder Database’: The public folder database “server namestorage groupdatabase” contains folder replicas. Before deleting the public folder database remove the folders or remove the replicas to another public folder database.”

WARNINIG: The following procedure assumes you want the Public Folders GONE – make sure any information you require within them is either backed up or moved to another server.

Solution

1. Click Start > All Programs > Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 > Exchange Management Shell.

2. Issue the following command, (Replace {name of server} with your own server name).

[box]Get-PublicFolder -Server {name of server} “\” -Recurse -ResultSize:Unlimited | Remove-PublicFolder -Server {name of server} -Recurse -ErrorAction:SilentlyContinue[/box]

3. Enter Y for yes if Prompted. (enter your own server name).

4. Issue the following command, (Replace {name of server} with your own server name).

[box]Get-PublicFolder -Server {name of server} “Non_Ipm_Subtree” -Recurse -ResultSize:Unlimited | Remove-PublicFolder -Server {name of server} -Recurse -ErrorAction:SilentlyContinue[/box]

5. Enter Y for Yes if prompted.

6. Re-attempt the uninstall.

or in EXTREME situations (sometimes it refuses to delete no matter what you do) run ADSIedit and remove it from CN=Configuration,CN=Services, CN=Microsoft Exchange, CN={organisation name i.e First Organisation}, CN=Administrative Groups, CN={Administrative Group name}, CN=Servers, CN={servername}, CN=Information Store, CN={Storage Group Name}, CN={Public Folder Database Name} THEN REBOOT

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

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