How to Switch from Mixed Mode to Native Mode

By default, a new Exchange 2003 organization runs in mixed mode until it is promoted to native mode. This procedure outlines how to switch your Exchange Server from mixed mode to native mode.

Before You Begin

You can only promote an Exchange organization to native mode if there are no servers running Exchange 5.5 (or earlier), and if no instances of Site Replication Service (SRS) are running. Also, make sure that you have correctly upgraded all servers and any connectors before you switch to native mode. After you switch an organization to native mode, it can never return to mixed mode. This means you cannot add an Exchange 5.5 server to a native mode topology.

Procedure

To switch from mixed mode to native mode

1. In Exchange System Manager, right-click your Exchange organization, and then click Properties.

2. On the General tab (see the following figure), click Change Mode.

   Change Mode option on the General tab

   

For More Information

For more information about native and mixed modes, see the Exchange Server 2003 Deployment Guide and Planning an Exchange Server 2003 Messaging System.