Problem with MMC snapin when managing Windows SMTP server via IIS console

Question

Hello,
recently I installed a Win 2022 server and added SMTP server feature.
Now when I attempt to manage and adjust properties of the SMTP server feature via IIS6,
(found this how-to article online
http://woshub.com/how-to-install-and-configure-smtp-server-on-windows-server-2012r2/#:~:text=SMTP%20service%20is%20one%20of%20the%20built-in%20features,SMTP%20Server%20when%20selecting%20the%20features%20to%20install.)
I am not able to open SMTP server properties, because I get this error

Anyone has any clue on how to solve this? Server is up to date with latest patches

Thank you for any hints
Tomas

Answer 1

Hi there,

SMTP is not deprecated at present in Windows Server 2022 since it's available as a regular feature in the servermanager and it's just working flawless (thank God for that!).

The problem with the MMC seems a security issue but you can simply edit the config file "C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\Metabase.xml", and copy & paste content into the tag <IIsSmtpServer> from a working server (out of the very same Metabase.xml-file). One thing: change the value "FullyQualifiedDomainName" and save your changes.
Now reboot the 2022 server or the IIS Admin & SMTP service and you're set to go.

PS: When you've made a faulty change to the XML file, the service won't start. A file called "IIS Config_0000000000" is created in the same folder. With this file you can troubleshoot the error.

Cheers, Rolf.

Answer 2

Ran into the same problem here. It seems as they have deprecated the SMTP server... https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-server-insiders/server-buld-20303-1-iis-6-manager-crashes-trying-to-edit-smtp/m-p/2215174