Version error when you install Exchange Server in RecoverServer mode

Symptoms

When you try to recover a lost server by installing Microsoft Exchange Server in RecoverServer mode, an installation prerequisite check fails and returns the following error message:

Exchange Server version <version value> or later must be used to perform a recovery of this server.

The issue occurs if the lost server has the January 2023 Exchange Server security update (SU) installed. The version value in the error message matches the version of the January 2023 Exchange Server SU.

Cause

The January 2023 SU updated the SerialNumber property in Active Directory for Exchange Server on the lost server. The SerialNumber property should contain the Exchange Server cumulative update (CU) version. However, the January 2023 SU updates that property to the SU version instead. The prerequisite check fails because the Exchange Server CU version of the recovery media is earlier than the January 2023 SU version that's stored in the SerialNumber property.

Resolution

To resolve the issue, restore the SerialNumber value to the Exchange Server CU version. To do this, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Use PowerShell

  1. Choose a SerialNumber value that matches the CU version that's installed on the lost server. Use the following table.

    Cumulative Update SerialNumber
    Exchange Server 2019 CU12 Version 15.2 (Build 31118.007)
    Exchange Server 2019 CU11 Version 15.2 (Build 30986.005)
    Exchange Server 2016 CU23 Version 15.1 (Build 32507.006)
    Exchange Server 2016 CU22 Version 15.1 (Build 32375.007)
  2. Update the SerialNumber property in Active Directory. To do this, run the following commands:

    $dn = <distinguished name of the Exchange Server installation on the lost server>
    Set-ADObject -Identity "$dn" -Replace @{serialnumber="<SerialNumber>"}
    

    For example, you might run the following commands if the lost server has Exchange Server 2019 CU12 installed:

    $dn = "CN=e161,CN=Servers,CN=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT),CN=Administrative Groups,CN=Contoso,CN=Microsoft Exchange,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=Contoso,DC=com"
    Set-ADObject -Identity "$dn" -Replace @{serialnumber="Version 15.2 (Build 31118.007)"}
    

    Note

    If you receive the error message, "The term 'Get-ADObject' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet," run the following command in an admin session to install the remote administration tools:

    Install-WindowsFeature RSAT-ADDS
    
  3. Retry the Exchange Server install in RecoverServer mode. Use a recovery media that has an Exchange Server CU version that is the same as or later than the CU version that's installed on the lost server.

  4. Install the latest Exchange Server SU.

Note

To read the SerialNumber value in Active Directory, run the following commands:

$dn = <distinguished name of the Exchange Server installation on the lost server>
Get-ADObject -Identity "$dn" -Properties SerialNumber

Method 2: Use ADSI Edit

Warning

This method requires the Active Directory Service Interfaces Editor (ADSI Edit). Using ADSI Edit incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems that result from the incorrect use of ADSI Edit can be resolved. Use ADSI Edit at your own risk.

  1. Open ADSI Edit.

    Note

    If ADSI Edit isn't installed, run the following command in an admin session to install the remote administration tools:

    Install-WindowsFeature RSAT-ADDS
    
  2. Right-click ADSI Edit, select Connect to, select Configuration from the Select a well known Naming Context list, and then select OK.

  3. Navigate to the following node:

    CN=Configuration > CN=Services > CN=Microsoft Exchange > CN={organization name} > CN=Administrative Groups > CN=Exchange Administrative Group > CN=Servers > CN={server name}.

  4. Right-click the CN={server name} node for the lost server, and then select Properties to open the Properties window.

  5. In the Properties window, replace the serialNumber attribute with the appropriate value from the table in step 1 of Method 1.

    Note

    The distinguishedName attribute in the Properties window provides the distinguished name of the Exchange Server installation on the lost server.

  6. Retry the Exchange Server install in RecoverServer mode. Use a recovery media that has an Exchange Server CU version that is the same as or later than the CU version that's installed on the lost server.

  7. Install the latest Exchange Server SU.

More information

For more information about Exchange Server versions, see the following resources: