Prepare AD error after updating Exchange 2016 to CU 18

Question

Hi

I am getting this error after updating to Exchange server 2016 CU 18 when trying to prepare AD after an accidental deleting of arbitration mailbox:

Setup will prepare the organization for Exchange Server 2016 by using 'Setup /PrepareAD'. No Exchange Server 2013 roles have been detected in this topology. After this operation, you will not be able to install any Exchange Server 2013 roles.

For more information, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/Exchange/plan-and-deploy/deployment-ref/readiness-checks?view=exchserver-2016

Setup will prepare the organization for Exchange Server 2016 by using 'Setup /PrepareAD'. No Exchange Server 2010 roles have been detected in this topology. After this operation, you will not be able to install any Exchange Server 2010 roles. For more information, visit: https://learn.microsoft.com/Exchange/plan-and-deploy/deployment-ref/readiness-checks?view=exchserver-2016

Global updates need to be made to Active Directory, and this user account isn't a member of the 'Enterprise Admins' group. For more information, visit: http://technet.microsoft.com/library(EXCHG.150)/ms.exch.setupreadiness.GlobalUpdateRequired.aspx

The local domain needs to be updated. You must be a member of the 'Domain Admins' group and 'Organization Management' role group, or 'Enterprise Admins' group to continue.

For more information, visit: http://technet.microsoft.com/library(EXCHG.150)/ms.exch.setupreadiness.LocalDomainPrep.aspx

Setup encountered a problem while validating the state of Active Directory: The Active Directory organization configuration version (16752) is higher than Setup's version(16218). Therefore, PrepareAD can't be executed. See the Exchange setup log for more information on this error.

For more information, visit: http://technet.microsoft.com/library(EXCHG.150)/ms.exch.setupreadiness.AdInitErrorRule.aspx

The forest functional level of the current Active Directory forest is not Windows Server 2003 native or later. To install Exchange Server 2016, the forest functional level must be at least Windows Server 2003 native.

For more information, visit: http://technet.microsoft.com/library(EXCHG.150)/ms.exch.setupreadiness.ForestLevelNotWin2003Native.aspx

Either Active Directory doesn't exist, or it can't be contacted.

For more information, visit: http://technet.microsoft.com/library(EXCHG.150)/ms.exch.setupreadiness.CannotAccessAD.aspx
The Exchange Server setup operation didn't complete. More details can be found in ExchangeSetup.log located in the <SystemDrive>:\ExchangeSetupLogs folder.

Obviously, the account is member of both Enterprise Admin and Domain Admin. The forest has two domains (domain.local and domain.com). The FSMO role is located on 'domain.local' and so is the Exchange server.

The DC is running WS2019 standard and the EX WS2012R2.

Please advise - thank you in advance.
Best regards
Kris

Answer 1

Hi,

Setup encountered a problem while validating the state of Active Directory: ***The Active Directory organization configuration version (16752) is higher than Setup's version(16218)*. Therefore, PrepareAD can't be executed. See the Exchange setup log for more information on this error.**

If the schema version is 16752 that means that the forest has been alreday prepared by a setup of EXCHANGE 2019 CU1. So if you want relaunch the preparation to restore the arbitration mailbox you have to use EXCHANGE 2019 CU1 or higher.

16218 is the schema version for Exchange 2016 CU18.

Please don't forget to mark this reply as answer if it help you to fix your issue

Answer 2

Hi
Thank you - that was really helpful!