Managing Exchange Server 2003 from Windows Vista

As you may know, Microsoft doesn't support Exchange Management Console for Exchange Server 2007 or the Exchange System Manager for Exchange 2003 on a Windows Vista-based computer as explained in the KB article 931903 "You cannot install the Exchange Management Console or the Exchange System Manager on a Windows Vista-based computer". If you try to install the Exchange System Manager for Exchange Server 2003 on Vista, the installation fails and you get the error: The "Internet Information Services Snap-In" component of the Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) is either not installed or disabled. Microsoft suggests that as a workaround you use Remote Desktop to manage Exchange Server 2003 from Windows Vista. If for some reason the Remote Desktop option is not a viable solution for you and you are looking for another option, here's a workaround that you might want to try.

1. Install adminpack.msi from Windows Server 2003 on Windows Vista so you will have the Active Directory Users and Computers console. 2. Copy the following files from Exchsrvr\Bin folder on your Exchange Server 2003 to Windows Vista's System32 folder: address.dll escprint.dll exchmem.dll glblname.dll maildsmx.dll pttrace.dll netui0.dll netui1.dll netui2.dll 3. Register the maildsmx.dll by typing the following command at the command prompt: regsvr32 c:\windows\system32\maildsmx.dll 4. Just be aware that the Move Mailbox feature may not work so you can use Remote Desktop for that.

You should now see the Exchange tab in your Active Directory Users and Computers on your Windows Vista computer.