Hide Public Folders in Exchange 2000/2003

How can I hide Public Folders in Exchange 2000/2003?

If you want to create new top-level public folders but wish to limit their visibility to only specific users or groups you can do the following:

  1. Create a new top-level public folder (you can do it from Outlook, Windows Explorer or Exchange System Manager).

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  1. Give the new folder an appropriate name and choose its’ item type.

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  1. Now go to the Exchange System Manager and open the Folder container. Open Public Folders and right click the new folder.

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  1. Choose Properties and go to the Permissions tab:

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  1. Hold down CTRL while you click the Client Permissions button.

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  1. Add the user or groups that you want to restrict from viewing the new public folder.

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  1. Highlight the added user or group and in the Permissions part of the window scroll down to the View Item permission.

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  1. Select the Deny check-box. Click Ok.

  2. A warning window will pop-up. Acknowledge it.

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  1. To test your configuration, logon as the restricted user and open Outlook. Look for the folder. It’s not supposed to be visible.

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That’s it.

In Outlook 2003 you can also uncheck the box "Folder Visible" for the Default and Anonymous permissions:

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This will hide the folder for all users except those with specific rights.