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Hi
We are running 1 Exchange hybrid with an Exchange Server 2016. All mailboxes are moved to EXO. Since it's now possible to remove the last Exchange Server, we would like to go this last step.
My problem is, that our forest functional level is still 2008 because of some Windows-XP workstations with controls for production lines. They can't be upgraded at the moment. I have read that one step to remove the last Exchange is to install Exchange Server 2019 April 2022 CU Setup to install the Exchange Management Tools, but that needs at least forest functional level 2012.
Is there a way to remove the last Exchange Server 2016 anyway?
Regards, Peter
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Hi @Peter B,
I am writing to see how everything is going on with this thread. If any of the replies has been helpful, do you mind accepting it as answer? This can help increase visibility of this question for other members of the Microsoft Q&A community. If you still have further concern on this, please feel free to let us know.
You can, but you wont be supported if you are still using AADConnect to sync from on-prem to Azure.
Hi @Peter B,
Is there a way to remove the last Exchange Server 2016 anyway?
If you don't need to manage users from on-premises and no longer have a need for directory synchronization or password synchronization, you can go ahead decommissioning the last Exchange server 2016. Detailed instructions can be found in Scenario One of the following document:
How and when to decommission your on-premises Exchange servers in a hybrid deployment
If you still need to keep directory synchronization or need to use Exchange for other purposes, it's not supported to remove the last Exchange server. You can learn more from the other two scenarios mentioned in the linked article above.
When it comes to your concern about "install Exchange Server 2019 April 2022 CU Setup to install the Exchange Management Tools", this can only allow you to shut down (not remove) the last Exchange server and manage recipients using Windows PowerShell. More details, see Manage recipients in Exchange Hybrid environments using Management tools.
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