No active public folder mailboxes error when creating public folder

  • Applies to: Exchange Server SE, Exchange Server 2019, Exchange Server 2016

Original KB number:   2786607

Summary

This article describes an error that occurs when you create mailboxes in Exchange Server by using the HoldForMigration parameter. This error occurs when you use the HoldForMigration parameter incorrectly. The article describes the process for fixing the error.

Symptoms

Assume that you create the first public folder mailbox in Exchange Server by using the HoldForMigration parameter. You perform one of the following actions in the environment:

  • You try to access the public folder hierarchy by running the Get-PublicFolder cmdlet in Exchange Management Shell (EMS) or by using Exchange admin center (EAC).
  • You try to create a new public folder on the Exchange server.

In this situation, you receive the following error message:

No active public folder mailboxes were found. This error happens when no public folder mailboxes are provisioned or they're provisioned in HoldForMigration mode. If you're not currently performing a migration, create a public folder mailbox.

Note

Create the public folder mailbox by using the HoldForMigration parameter only if you're migrating from legacy public folders to modern public folders. When you specify the HoldForMigration parameter, it locks the public folder hierarchy in Exchange Server 2013 or Exchange Server 2016 so that users can't create public folders until the migration is complete.

Use the Get-OrganizationConfig Exchange PowerShell cmdlet to verify that the first public folder mailbox was created with the HoldForMigration parameter as shown in the following example:

[PS] C:\>(Get-OrganizationConfig).RootPublicFolderMailbox
IsValid : True
CanUpdate : True
HierarchyMailboxGuid : dba08a32-d51f-4c21-ae31-8f7d678ccfb1
HierarchySmtpAddress :
LockedForMigration : True

If the LockedForMigration attribute shows a value of True, the public folder hierarchy is locked and the first public folder mailbox was created by using the HoldForMigration parameter.

Cause

This issue occurs because you specify the HoldForMigration parameter when you create the first public folder mailbox. This behavior is by design.

Resolution

If you create the first public folder mailbox by using the HoldForMigration parameter because you're migrating legacy public folders, complete the migration. For more information about how the HoldForMigration parameter is used for public folder migration, see Use batch migration to migrate Exchange Server public folders to Exchange Online.

If your organization doesn't have legacy public folders and you accidentally create the first public folder mailbox by using the HoldForMigration parameter, you must delete all public folder mailboxes that are present in the organization. Then, create a new public folder mailbox without specifying the HoldForMigration parameter. To complete this task, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Delete the public folder mailbox by using EAC

  1. Using an account that has sufficient permissions on your Exchange Server, sign in to the Exchange admin center (EAC).
  2. Select Public Folders, and then select Public Folder mailboxes.
  3. Delete all public folder mailboxes of the Secondary Hierarchy type.
  4. Delete the public folder mailbox of the Primary Hierarchy type.
  5. Select the New public folder mailbox icon to create a public folder mailbox.

Method 2: Delete the public folder mailbox by using Exchange PowerShell

  1. Use an account that has sufficient permissions on your Exchange Server to open the Exchange Management Shell (EMS) or connect to your Exchange server by using remote PowerShell.

  2. To return and delete public folder mailboxes of the Secondary Hierarchy type, run the Get-Mailbox cmdlet as shown in the following example:

    Get-Mailbox -PublicFolder | where {$_.IsRootPublicFolderMailbox -eq $False} | Remove-Mailbox -PublicFolder

1.To return and delete public folder mailboxes of the Primary Hierarchy type, run the Get-Mailbox cmdlet as shown in the following example:

Get-Mailbox -PublicFolder | where {$_.IsRootPublicFolderMailbox -eq $true} | Remove-Mailbox -PublicFolder

1.To create a public folder mailbox without specifying the HoldForMigration parameter, run the New-Mailbox cmdlet as shown in the following example:

   New-Mailbox -PublicFolder -Database "Mailbox Database Name" -Name "Public Folder Mailbox Name"

More information

For more information about how to remove public folders in an Exchange Server environment, see How to remove public folders.

For more information about the HoldForMigration parameter, see General information about the New-Mailbox cmdlet with the HoldForMigration parameter.

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