Exchange 2010 Public Folder database missing

Wendell Jones 21

I have inherited an Exchange 2010 SP3 machine. It is ready to be decommissioned and moved online. The problem is that the public folder database is missing and apparently has been for some years and there isn't a copy of it on a back up. There is a reference to the database in the ADSIEdit. The users are interested in using the Public Folder features on the new environment. Keeping the old configuration would be nice, but not needed.

The questions are:

Can I recover the entries of the public database without the actual file?
How can I delete the reference to the old public folder database so I can create a new one?

Update:
Because the public folder database is missing, the remove-publicfolder cmd will not work. What is the best course of action to delete the old public folder from the system?

Thank you in advance.

Wendell Jones

1 answer

Andy David - MVP 150.5K Reputation points MVP

2022-03-22T18:14:03.373+00:00

Moved to Exchange Online? In that case, why not just create public folders there directly?

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/collaboration-exo/public-folders/set-up-public-folders

Personally, I would not use public folders at this point however :)
Without the original DB, there isnt much you can do to recover.
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Wendell Jones 21 Reputation points

2022-03-22T18:21:06.36+00:00

Thank you for your reply. I did not believe there was a way, but I am open to just deleting the public folder and starting over. I am told that the users are interested in sharing distribution groups and the easiest way I am aware of is with Public Folders. Is there a different way?

-Wendell

Andy David - MVP 150.5K Reputation points MVP

2022-03-22T18:25:14.133+00:00

hmm, you mean their personal contact groups in Outlook? Each person can share those with another person if needed.
Otherwise all server side groups are in the Address Book . Public folders are so old and hard to manage, I just wouldnt go there if possible. haha

Wendell Jones 21 Reputation points

2022-03-22T18:36:59.88+00:00

I will research this as an alternative option. But the users may still want their Public Folders. Thanks for your note.

-Wendell

Andy David - MVP 150.5K Reputation points MVP

2022-03-22T18:47:27.093+00:00

Sure thing. You can always start over as you said, or create directly in Exchange Online if that is where the mailboxes exist now

Wendell Jones 21 Reputation points

2022-03-22T18:50:15.093+00:00

The plan was to move the mailboxes after cleaning up the current exchange box of all excess or useless data. I expect it to be hybrid for at least three months. So it would make sense to me, to get everything squared away before migrating.

-Wendell

Kael Yao-MSFT 37,661 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2022-03-28T07:48:27.393+00:00

Hi Wendell,

I am writing here to confirm with you how thing going now?
If you have any questions or needed further help on this issue, please feel free to post back.

Wendell Jones 21 Reputation points

2022-03-28T14:38:55.837+00:00

KaelYao,
Thank you for your note. I have decided to delete the entry in the ADSIEdit and start over fresh. I will try and post how it goes.

-Wendell
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Exchange 2010 Public Folder database missing

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