The schema master is running Windows 2000 Server

[This topic is intended to address a specific issue called out by the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool. You should apply it only to systems that have had the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool run against them and are experiencing that specific issue. The Exchange Server Analyzer Tool, available as a free download, remotely collects configuration data from each server in the topology and automatically analyzes the data. The resulting report details important configuration issues, potential problems, and nondefault product settings. By following these recommendations, you can achieve better performance, scalability, reliability, and uptime. For more information about the tool or to download the latest versions, see "Microsoft Exchange Analyzers" at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=34707.]  

Topic Last Modified: 2009-12-16

Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and Exchange Server 2010 setup cannot continue because the domain controller assigned the Active Directory directory service schema master role, also known as flexible single master operations (FSMO), is running Microsoft Windows 2000 Server.

Exchange 2007 and Exchange 2010 setup requires that the domain controller that serves as the schema FSMO run Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or a later version.

The FSMO controls all updates and modifications to the Active Directory schema.

To resolve this issue, do one of the following:

  • Upgrade the FSMO domain controller to Windows Server 2003 SP1 or a later server version and rerun Microsoft Exchange setup.

  • Move the FSMO domain controller to a server running Windows Server 2003 SP1 or a later server version and rerun Microsoft Exchange setup.

For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article 325379, "How to upgrade Windows 2000 domain controllers to Windows Server 2003" (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=325379).

For more information about transferring the infrastructure master role from one domain controller to another domain controller, see the following Knowledge Base articles: