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Exchange Server prerequisites

This topic provides the steps for installing the necessary Windows Server operating system prerequisites for Exchange Server 2016 and Exchange Server 2019 Mailbox servers and Edge Transport servers, and also the Windows prerequisites for installing the Exchange Management Tools on Windows client computers.

After you've prepared your environment for Exchange Server, use the Exchange Deployment Assistant for the next steps in your actual deployment. For information on hybrid deployments, see Exchange Server Hybrid Deployments.

To actually install Exchange 2016 and Exchange 2019, see Deploy new installations of Exchange.

Tip

What do you need to know before you begin?

  • Verify that your Active Directory meets the requirements for Exchange 2016: Exchange 2016 Network and directory servers.

  • The full installation option of Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 must be used for all servers running Exchange 2016 server roles or management tools.

  • Some prerequisites require you to reboot the server to complete installation.

Note

You can't upgrade Windows from one version to another, or from Standard to Datacenter, when Exchange is installed on the server.

Tip

Having problems? Ask for help in the Exchange forums. Visit the forums at: Exchange Server.

Exchange 2019 prerequisites for preparing Active Directory

You can use any member of the Active Directory domain to prepare Active Directory for Exchange 2019.

  1. The computer requires the following software:

    a. .NET Framework 4.8

    Note

    When installing on Windows Server Core, you must use key "/q" for install this package. Optionaly you can use "/log [PATH]" for logging.

    b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012

    Note

    • The system requirements for the Visual C++ Redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.

    • An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.

    • The Visual C++ redistributable package is required if you're using the Exchange Setup Wizard to prepare Active Directory. If you're using unattended Setup from the command line to prepare Active Directory, this package isn't required. For more information, see Prepare Active Directory and domains.

  2. Install the Remote Tools Administration Pack by running the following command in Windows PowerShell:

    Install-WindowsFeature RSAT-ADDS
    

Note

Using the Exchange Setup Wizard to prepare Active Directory requires the installation of the Management Tools Exchange role.

Windows Server 2019 & Windows Server 2022 prerequisites for Exchange 2019

Note

Support for Windows Server 2022 was introduced with Exchange Server 2019 CU12 (2022H1).

The requirements to install Exchange 2019 on Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022 computers are described in the following sections. We recommend either of the following methods to install the Windows prerequisites for Exchange 2019:

  • Use the /InstallWindowsComponents switch in unattended Setup mode.
  • Select the check box in the Exchange Setup Wizard to install Windows prerequisites.

When you use one of these options, you don't need to restart the computer after the Windows components have been added.

Exchange 2019 Mailbox servers on Windows Server 2019 & Windows Server 2022

  1. Install the following software:

    a. .NET Framework 4.8

    b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012

    c. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2013

    Note

    • The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.

    • An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.

  2. Add the required Lync Server or Skype for Business Server components:

    a. Install the Server Media Foundation windows feature by executing the following command in Windows PowerShell:

    Install-WindowsFeature Server-Media-Foundation
    

    b. Install Unified Communications Managed API 4.0. This package is available for download and in the \UCMARedist folder on the Exchange Server media.

    Note

    Make sure to use the Unified Communications Managed API 4.0 until something else is communicated by the Exchange team.

    When installing on Windows Server Core, you must use the installation package located in \UCMARedist on distributed media.

    The command you will use for installation within PowerShell: .\UCMARunTimeSetup.exe -q

  3. If you aren't going to use Exchange Setup to install the required Windows components (in the wizard or from the command line), run the one of the following commands in Windows PowerShell:

    Note

    We've recently updated the required Windows components to no longer include MSMQ as it's not required by Exchange Server.

    You can optionally remove MSMQ from your Exchange server by running the following command from an elevated PowerShell and restarting the server:

    Remove-WindowsFeature NET-WCF-MSMQ-Activation45, MSMQ
    

    Note that Exchange Setup will re-install MSMQ if you check the Automatically install Windows Server roles and features that are required to install Exchange Server checkbox during the GUI Setup, or if you use the InstallWindowsComponents as part of unattended Setup.

    • Desktop Experience:

      Install-WindowsFeature Server-Media-Foundation, NET-Framework-45-Core, NET-Framework-45-ASPNET, NET-WCF-HTTP-Activation45, NET-WCF-Pipe-Activation45, NET-WCF-TCP-Activation45, NET-WCF-TCP-PortSharing45, RPC-over-HTTP-proxy, RSAT-Clustering, RSAT-Clustering-CmdInterface, RSAT-Clustering-Mgmt, RSAT-Clustering-PowerShell, WAS-Process-Model, Web-Asp-Net45, Web-Basic-Auth, Web-Client-Auth, Web-Digest-Auth, Web-Dir-Browsing, Web-Dyn-Compression, Web-Http-Errors, Web-Http-Logging, Web-Http-Redirect, Web-Http-Tracing, Web-ISAPI-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Filter, Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console, Web-Metabase, Web-Mgmt-Console, Web-Mgmt-Service, Web-Net-Ext45, Web-Request-Monitor, Web-Server, Web-Stat-Compression, Web-Static-Content, Web-Windows-Auth, Web-WMI, Windows-Identity-Foundation, RSAT-ADDS
      
    • Server Core:

      Install-WindowsFeature Server-Media-Foundation, NET-Framework-45-Core, NET-Framework-45-ASPNET, NET-WCF-HTTP-Activation45, NET-WCF-Pipe-Activation45, NET-WCF-TCP-Activation45, NET-WCF-TCP-PortSharing45, RPC-over-HTTP-proxy, RSAT-Clustering, RSAT-Clustering-CmdInterface, RSAT-Clustering-PowerShell, WAS-Process-Model, Web-Asp-Net45, Web-Basic-Auth, Web-Client-Auth, Web-Digest-Auth, Web-Dir-Browsing, Web-Dyn-Compression, Web-Http-Errors, Web-Http-Logging, Web-Http-Redirect, Web-Http-Tracing, Web-ISAPI-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Filter, Web-Metabase, Web-Mgmt-Service, Web-Net-Ext45, Web-Request-Monitor, Web-Server, Web-Stat-Compression, Web-Static-Content, Web-Windows-Auth, Web-WMI, RSAT-ADDS
      

    a. IIS URL Rewrite Module

    Note

    The IIS URL Rewrite Module is required with Cumulative Update 11 or later.

Exchange 2019 Edge Transport servers on Windows Server 2019 & Windows Server 2022

  1. Install the following software:

    a. .NET Framework 4.8

    b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012

    Note

    • The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.

    • An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.

  2. If you aren't going to use Exchange Setup to install the required Windows components (in the wizard or from the command line), run the following command in Windows PowerShell:

    Install-WindowsFeature ADLDS
    

Windows client prerequisites for the Exchange 2019 management tools

See the Exchange Server supportability matrix for the supported Windows client operating systems.

  1. Install the Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012

    Note

    • The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.

    • An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.

  2. If you aren't going to use Exchange Setup to install the required Windows components (in the wizard or from the command line), run the following command in Windows PowerShell:

    Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName IIS-IIS6ManagementCompatibility,IIS-Metabase -All
    

Exchange 2016 prerequisites for preparing Active Directory

You can use any member of the Active Directory domain to prepare Active Directory for Exchange 2016.

  1. The computer requires the following software:

    a. .NET Framework 4.8

    b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012

    Note

    • The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.

    • An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.

  2. Install the Remote Tools Administration Pack by running the following command in Windows PowerShell:

    Install-WindowsFeature RSAT-ADDS
    

After you've installed the Remote Tools Administration Pack you can use the computer to prepare Active Directory. For more information, see Prepare Active Directory and domains.

Windows Server 2016 prerequisites for Exchange 2016

The prerequisites that are needed to install Exchange 2016 on computers running Windows Server 2016 depends on which Exchange role you want to install. Read the section below that matches the role you want to install.

Important

Windows Server 2016 requires Exchange 2016 Cumulative Update 3 or later.

Exchange 2016 Mailbox servers on Windows Server 2016

  1. Run the following command in Windows PowerShell to install the required Windows components:

    Note

    We've recently updated the required Windows components to no longer include MSMQ as it's not required by Exchange Server.

    You can optionally remove MSMQ from your Exchange server by running the following command from an elevated PowerShell and restarting the server:

    Remove-WindowsFeature NET-WCF-MSMQ-Activation45, MSMQ
    

    Note that Exchange Setup will re-install MSMQ if you check the Automatically install Windows Server roles and features that are required to install Exchange Server checkbox during the GUI Setup, or if you use the InstallWindowsComponents as part of unattended Setup.

    Install-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-45-Core, NET-Framework-45-ASPNET, NET-WCF-HTTP-Activation45, NET-WCF-Pipe-Activation45, NET-WCF-TCP-Activation45, NET-WCF-TCP-PortSharing45, Server-Media-Foundation, RPC-over-HTTP-proxy, RSAT-Clustering, RSAT-Clustering-CmdInterface, RSAT-Clustering-Mgmt, RSAT-Clustering-PowerShell, WAS-Process-Model, Web-Asp-Net45, Web-Basic-Auth, Web-Client-Auth, Web-Digest-Auth, Web-Dir-Browsing, Web-Dyn-Compression, Web-Http-Errors, Web-Http-Logging, Web-Http-Redirect, Web-Http-Tracing, Web-ISAPI-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Filter, Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console, Web-Metabase, Web-Mgmt-Console, Web-Mgmt-Service, Web-Net-Ext45, Web-Request-Monitor, Web-Server, Web-Stat-Compression, Web-Static-Content, Web-Windows-Auth, Web-WMI, Windows-Identity-Foundation, RSAT-ADDS
    
  2. Install the following software in order:

    a. .NET Framework 4.8

    b. December 13, 2016 (KB3206632) security update

    Note

    You can only install this update if your Windows Server 2016 version is 14393.576 or earlier (circa December, 2016). You can check your Windows Server version by running the winver command. If your Windows Server 2016 version is greater than 14393.576, you don't need this update or its replacement KB3213522, which was released one week later. Exchange 2016 Setup looks for the installation of this update, won't allow you to continue if this update is missing, and will clearly inform you if you need it.

    c. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012

    d. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2013

    Note

    • The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.

    • An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.

    • Only the Mailbox role requires the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013. Other Exchange installations (management tools and Edge Transport) only require the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2012.

    e. IIS URL Rewrite Module

    Note

    The IIS URL Rewrite Module is required with Cumulative Update 22 or later.

    f. Microsoft Unified Communications Managed API 4.0, Core Runtime 64-bit

Exchange 2016 Edge Transport servers on Windows Server 2016

  1. Run the following command in Windows PowerShell to install the required Windows components:

    Install-WindowsFeature ADLDS
    
  2. Install the following software in order:

    a. .NET Framework 4.8

    b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012

    Note

    • The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.

    • An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.

Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 prerequisites for Exchange 2016

The prerequisites for Exchange 2016 on Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2 computers depend on the Exchange role that you're installing. Read the following section that matches the role you want to install.

Exchange 2016 Mailbox servers on Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2

  1. Run the following command in Windows Powershell to install the required Windows components:

    Install-WindowsFeature AS-HTTP-Activation, Server-Media-Foundation, NET-Framework-45-Core, NET-Framework-45-ASPNET, NET-WCF-HTTP-Activation45, NET-WCF-Pipe-Activation45, NET-WCF-TCP-Activation45, NET-WCF-TCP-PortSharing45, RPC-over-HTTP-proxy, RSAT-Clustering, RSAT-Clustering-CmdInterface, RSAT-Clustering-Mgmt, RSAT-Clustering-PowerShell, WAS-Process-Model, Web-Asp-Net45, Web-Basic-Auth, Web-Client-Auth, Web-Digest-Auth, Web-Dir-Browsing, Web-Dyn-Compression, Web-Http-Errors, Web-Http-Logging, Web-Http-Redirect, Web-Http-Tracing, Web-ISAPI-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Filter, Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console, Web-Metabase, Web-Mgmt-Console, Web-Mgmt-Service, Web-Net-Ext45, Web-Request-Monitor, Web-Server, Web-Stat-Compression, Web-Static-Content, Web-Windows-Auth, Web-WMI, Windows-Identity-Foundation, RSAT-ADDS
    
  2. Install the following software in order:

    a. .NET Framework 4.8

    b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012

    c. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2013

    Note

    • The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.

    • An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.

    • Only the Mailbox role requires the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013. Installations of the Exchange management tools and Edge Transport servers only require the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2012.

    d. IIS URL Rewrite Module

    Note

    The IIS URL Rewrite Module is required with Cumulative Update 22 or later.

    e. Update for Universal C Runtime in Windows (KB2999226)

    Note

    The Update for Universal C Runtime in Windows (KB2999226) is required on Server 2012 R2 with Cumulative Update 22 or later.

    f. Microsoft Unified Communications Managed API 4.0, Core Runtime 64-bit

Exchange 2016 Edge Transport servers on Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2

  1. Run the following command in Windows PowerShell to install the required Windows components:

    Install-WindowsFeature ADLDS
    
  2. Install the following software in order:

    a. .NET Framework 4.8

    b. Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012

    Note

    • The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.

    • An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.

Windows client prerequisites for the Exchange 2016 management tools

See the Exchange Server supportability matrix for the supported Windows client operating systems.

  1. Install Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012

    Note

    • The system requirements for the Visual C++ redistributable package do not mention support for Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022, but the redistributable package is safe to install on these versions of Windows.

    • An overview of the latest supported versions is available at: Visual C++ Redistributable versions.

  2. Run the following command in an elevated Windows PowerShell window (a Windows PowerShell window you open by selecting Run as administrator):

    Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName IIS-ManagementScriptingTools,IIS-ManagementScriptingTools,IIS-IIS6ManagementCompatibility,IIS-LegacySnapIn,IIS-ManagementConsole,IIS-Metabase,IIS-WebServerManagementTools,IIS-WebServerRole