Cannot uninstall Exchange Server 2013 - arbitration mailbox can't be removed

Question

Cannot uninstall Exchange Server 2013 - arbitration mailbox can't be removed

JWC 21

Exchange Server 2019 install where all mailboxes have been migrated over from a previous Exchange 2013 server.

Cannot uninstall Exchange 2013 because of "FederatedEmail..." arbitration mailbox still in the last database on the 2013 server. The 2013 server doesn't "appear" to be needed as we have run on the 2019 server for over 2 days with no issues while the 2013 server was completely shut down.

I have reviewed the other similar threads but none of the suggestions have worked to move (or remove) this arbitration mailbox. I don't see a "FederatedEmail..." arbitration mailbox on the new server. We are a single domain, single Exchange server, onsite configuration. Do we even need a "FederatedEmail..." mailbox?

I would like to gracefully uninstall the 2013 server so all the info is removed from Active Directory but the uninstall won't proceed because of this one mailbox.

Is there another way to force removal of the old mail server from Active Directory without jeopardizing the live 2019 Exchange Server?

What would happen if I just unjoin the 2013 Server from the domain and then shut it down permanently?

All suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

JWC 21 Reputation points

2021-02-23T17:43:57.66+00:00

Can I safely use Disable-Mailbox and then remove the "FederatedEmail..." mailbox?

Does the -DisableLastArbitrationMailboxAllowed switch of Disable-Mailbox refer to just the database that I am working on? Or to the entire Exchange installation?
Andy David - MVP 160.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-02-23T17:50:43.87+00:00

Why cant it be moved to the 2019 server? Thats what needs to happen
Kai Yao 37,791 Reputation points Moderator

2021-02-24T07:13:50.137+00:00

Hi, @JWC
Glad to hear your problem get solved!

Just in addition, the Disable-Mailbox command works for the entire environment.
And only when it is the last exchange server in your environment, you may use the disable-mailbox -<Mailbox ID> -arbitration -DisableLastArbitrationMailboxAllowed to disable the arbitration mailbox and uninstall the exchange server.
Otherwise, you should always move the arbitration mailboxes to the new Exchange server in case any problem occurs.

Answer accepted by question author

0 additional answers

Your answer

JWC 21 Reputation points

2021-02-23T17:43:57.66+00:00

Can I safely use Disable-Mailbox and then remove the "FederatedEmail..." mailbox?

Does the -DisableLastArbitrationMailboxAllowed switch of Disable-Mailbox refer to just the database that I am working on? Or to the entire Exchange installation?
Andy David - MVP 160.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2021-02-23T17:50:43.87+00:00

Why cant it be moved to the 2019 server? Thats what needs to happen
Kai Yao 37,791 Reputation points Moderator

2021-02-24T07:13:50.137+00:00

Hi, @JWC
Glad to hear your problem get solved!

Just in addition, the Disable-Mailbox command works for the entire environment.
And only when it is the last exchange server in your environment, you may use the disable-mailbox -<Mailbox ID> -arbitration -DisableLastArbitrationMailboxAllowed to disable the arbitration mailbox and uninstall the exchange server.
Otherwise, you should always move the arbitration mailboxes to the new Exchange server in case any problem occurs.

Answer 1

Andy David - MVP 160.3K MVP Volunteer Moderator

You need to move ALL the arbitration mailboxes to 2019. Do not delete them
Not sure what you mean by "I have reviewed the other similar threads but none of the suggestions have worked to move (or remove) this arbitration mailbox."

Get-Mailbox –Arbitration | new-moverequest --TargetDatabase <2019DB>

https://blog.rmilne.ca/2016/09/15/when-to-move-arbitration-mailboxes/

JWC 21 Reputation points

2021-02-23T20:41:14.087+00:00

There are two databases on the 2019 server. I was trying to move the arbitration mailbox that was left on the 2013 server to the database that had the arbitration mailboxes on the 2019 server. It was failing like this:

Get-MailboxDatabase Exchange2013Data | get-mailbox -Arbitration | New-MoveRequest -TargetDatabase "Mailbox Database 0676992605"

MapiExceptionMdbOffline: Unable to get mailbox information. (hr=0x80004005, ec=1142)

I tried again by sending to the other database and IT WORKED!

Get-MailboxDatabase Exchange2013Data | get-mailbox -Arbitration | New-MoveRequest -TargetDatabase Exch2019data1

DisplayName StatusDetail TotalMailboxSize TotalArchiveSize PercentComplete

Microsoft Exchange App... Queued 2.873 KB (2,942 bytes) 0

Thank you very much!

Share via

Cannot uninstall Exchange Server 2013 - arbitration mailbox can't be removed

0 additional answers

Your answer