System Attendant service is configured to interact with desktop

[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: 2005-11-18

The Microsoft® Exchange Server Analyzer Tool queries the Win32_Service Microsoft Windows® Management Instrumentation (WMI) class to determine the value of the DesktopInteract property for the Microsoft Exchange System Attendant (MSExchangeSA) service. If the Exchange Server Analyzer finds that the Exchange System Attendant service is configured to interact with the desktop, the Exchange Server Analyzer displays an error.

This configuration should only be used under the guidance of Microsoft Product Support Services. Unless Microsoft Product Support Services has instructed you to run the System Attendant service in this configuration, it is recommended that you reconfigure the System Attendant service properties so that it does not interact with the desktop.

To configure the Exchange System Attendant service account

  1. Open the Services Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in.

  2. Locate and stop the Microsoft Exchange System Attendant service. Note that stopping the System Attendant service will also stop all services that depend on the System Attendant service. This includes the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service.

  3. Double-click the Microsoft Exchange System Attendant service.

  4. On the Log On tab of the Microsoft Exchange System Attendant Properties page, select Local System account under Log on as.

  5. Clear the Allow service to interact with desktop check box, and then click Apply.

  6. Under Service status, click Start, and then click OK.

  7. Close the Services snap-in.

For more information about the correct Exchange service configuration, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article 239762, "Exchange Services Run Under LocalSystem" (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=3052&kbid=239762).