Administer Exchange 2000 from Windows XP SP1

Daniel Petri

Jan 7, 2009

How can I manage my Exchange 2000 server from a Windows XP SP1 computer?
This article describes the steps to be taken in order to be able to administer an Exchange 2000 server from a Windows XP Pro computer that is installed with SP1 or SP1a.
Note: For an older version of this page and for more background on this issue (with detailed screenshots) click on the following article: Administer Exchange 2000 from Windows XP.
For an Exchange 2003 version of this article click here: Administer Exchange 2003 from Windows XP SP1.
If you have not already done so, install Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1a) on your client computer: Download Windows XP SP1a Network Installation

Problem

When you try to install the Microsoft Exchange System Management Tools on a Windows XP-based client computer, you may receive the following error message:
The component “Microsoft Exchange System Management Tool” cannot be assigned the action “install” because the Windows 2000 Administration Tools must be present.
You receive this error message although you have installed the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools (Adminpak.msi).
This behavior occurs because Exchange Setup only determines if the Windows 2000 Administration Tools are installed on the client computer. The Windows 2000 version of the Administration Tools is not supported on Windows XP.

Step #1: Install the HotFix

To resolve this issue, obtain and install the Exchange2000-kb815529-x86-enu.exe package before you install the Exchange System Management Tools. This update causes the Exchange 2000 Setup program to interpret that the Windows 2000 Administration Tools are installed on your Windows XP-based client computer. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Download the Exchange2000-kb815529-x86-enu.exe (Release Date: 03-Apr-2003)
Important: This update does not install the Windows 2000 Administration Tools. You must install the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools on Windows XP-based client computers.

Step #2: Join the computer to the same domain as the Exchange server

First make sure the XP computer is a part of the AD Domain where the E2K server is installed. Read Joining a Domain in Windows XP Pro for more info.

Step #3: Install SMTP

Install the SMTP service on your client computer.
Note: Disable the SMTP service if you do not have to use it on the local client computer. The disabling of nonessential services increases the security on your computer.

Step #4: Install E2K Management Tools

Install the Exchange System Management Tools on the client computer. Also make sure you install Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Exchange 2000 Server on the client computer. Read Download Exchange 2000 SP3 for more info.

Step #5: Install Windows Server 2003 Admonpak

Install the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools. Read Download Windows 2003 Adminpak for more info.
Note: The installation of the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools removes the Exchange2000-kb815529-x86-enu.exe update from the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

Step #6: Check if everything is ok

You can now open the Start menu and look for the Microsoft Exchange folder:

Run Active Directory Users and Computers and see that it is in fact the Windows 2003 version (with Drag & Drop and Saved Queries options):

You can also right-click a user or group and see that in fact it gives you the Exchange Tasks option.
Run System Manager tool to see if all is ok.