How To Install Exchange Server 2007 in 13 Easy Steps

By Gosia Grabowska
December 11, 2007

Topics Mentioned
Software:: Exchange Server 2007

Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 has a lot to offer, including new capabilities, more efficiency, advanced protection, and many other advantages over its predecessors.

For those of you who have already made the decision to move up to the new version of Exchange, I’m here to show you just how easy the installation process can be! All it takes is 13 easy steps!

We’ll go through all of the steps you’ll need to successfully install Exchange Server 2007 on Windows Server 2003. If you’re using Server 2008 instead, then check out this how-to article on installing Exchange Server 2007 on Windows Server 2008.

Before we get started, you should make sure that your machine meets the minimum system requirements. As with any operating system installation, this is a critical step that you don’t want to overlook.

Microsoft recommends for every administrator to check the network, hardware, software, client computer as well as other recommended elements before the actual Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 installation. For more information about the minimum system requirements see Microsoft TechNet. Now let’s get started!

Installing Exchange Server 2007

1. For our installation, we will be using the Exchange Server 2007 Setup Wizard.So start by logging on to the server on which you want to do the install and insert the Exchange Server 2007 DVD into the DVD drive. Setup.exe will automatically start.

2. On the Start page complete steps 1 through 3:

Step 1: Install .NET Framework 2.0
Step 2: Install Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
Step 3: Install Microsoft Windows PowerShell

Note: If you already have these installed on your server you will automatically be taken to the next step.

3. The physical installation of Exchange Server is the fourth step in the installation process. Once you’re ready to continue, click on:

Step 4: Install Microsoft Exchange

Exchange Server 2007 Install 1

And in the Introduction window click on Next

Exchange Server 2007 Install 2

4. Click on the I accept the terms in the license agreement option and click Next

Exchange Server 2007 Install 3

5. Select Yes or No for the Error Reporting option. In my example I’m going to enable this feature. When ready, click on Next

Exchange Server 2007 Install 4

6. Select one of the installation types listed. I’m going to select the Typical Exchange Server Installation. In this window you may also specify the path for the installation; I’m going to accept the default. When ready, click Next

Exchange Server 2007 Install 5

7. In the next window you can specify client settings. Click on the Yes option if you think that one of your clients might have Outlook 2003 on his or her system.

If you are positive that all client computers have Outlook 2007 installed, you may click on No. When ready, click on Next to continue

Exchange Server 2007 Install 6

8. Once the Readiness Checks are done running, click on the Install button to start the installation

Exchange Server 2007 Install 7

9. The entire installation takes approximately 30 minutes. When it is successful you will see this window, on which you can go ahead and click Finish

Exchange Server 2007 Install 8

10. You should update your Exchange server right after the installation. To do so, go back to the main install screen and click on Step 5: Critical Updates for Microsoft Exchange

Exchange Server 2007 Install 9

11. On the Microsoft Update site, click on the Review and install updates link

Exchange Server 2007 Install 10

12. Then click on the Install Updates option

Exchange Server 2007 Install 11

13. Last thing you need to do is to restart your new Exchange Server! Go ahead and click Restart Now and you’re done!

Exchange Server 2007 Install 12

Discussion

29 comments and trackbacks for “How To Install Exchange Server 2007 in 13 Easy Steps”

Comments

Posted by Brian on December 14, 2007, 12:52 pm

We are on hosted Exchange 2003 with 123Together but are looking at 07 on our own servers or staying with the hosted option. Your steps were helpful in helping us think this through. We are a small shop with up to ten users. Should we stay with the hosting route?
Post Author
Posted by Gosia Grabowska on December 14, 2007, 2:55 pm

Hi Brian,

Thanks for your question!

It’s not easy to decide if your company should bring their Exchange Servers in-house or continue to outsource the services. And you’re not alone. Many small to medium-size business owners are faced with the same problem.

There are a few factors that you need to take into consideration including: the number of mailboxes you will use, your budget, your IT resources, and much more.

For a comprehensive list of all the pros and cons check out this article from Microsoft: Hosted or in-house email?
(link: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/smallbusiness/growing/technology-in-business/working-together/microsoft-exchange-hosted-or-inhouse.mspx )

Another useful source is this article by Work.com: Guide to Selecting a Hosted Microsoft Exchange Provider vs. In-House Microsoft Exchange Server.
(link: http://www.work.com/selecting-a-hosted-microsoft-exchange-provider-vs-in-house-microsoft-exchange-server-1323/)

Another solution that I would suggest looking into is the Microsoft Small Business Server. SBS integrates many enterprise level solutions such as: SQL Server, SharePoint Services, IIS Web Server and of course, the Exchange Server.

SBS was designed with companies like yours in mind and it might be the perfect solution. Here is a link to Microsoft for more information on Small Business Center.
(link: http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/hub.mspx)

I hope this information is helpful! Please feel free to leave me another comment if you have more questions.

Happy Holidays!
Gosia
Posted by roy on December 23, 2007, 1:15 am

it is a good message. can you show us how to manage the email system?
Posted by Hamed on January 10, 2008, 6:28 pm

What is the issue with exchange 2007 and OABs. i have installed it on serveral different single server environment and they all seem to have problem with downloading OABs on outlook clients. odd thing is that owa works fine. it used to be the other way around. I haven’t been able to find a solution to this problem anywhere and i am not the only one.
Posted by Said on August 19, 2008, 7:41 am

what about forstprep, domainprep ……
Posted by Andy on September 3, 2008, 2:24 pm

To above post, sounds like you’ve had some experience installing Exchange server 2003.

adprep /Forestprep and /domainprep have been replaced by setup.com /preparead and are run through the GUI.

You’ll still want to run the “DCDIAG” command.

See this post
http://www.techsack.com/2008/09/03/tips-for-installing-microsoft-exchange-server-2007/
Posted by Bashir on December 23, 2008, 2:38 am

thank’s , really was helpful .

Thank’s again .
Posted by Nimal on August 15, 2009, 7:22 am

Hi,this is really helpful.thanks …Gosia Grabowska
Posted by gaurav on August 24, 2009, 1:00 am

Thanks, really it will help us a lot
Posted by jeff on September 5, 2009, 4:49 am

Thanks, this is useful for me.
Posted by Mahesh Bhardwaj on September 25, 2009, 4:33 am

Hi

Recently, our organization migrated from Exchange 2003 to 2007. This site will be helpful for me to take appropriate help regarding EX2K7 issues.
Posted by Suresh.V on October 14, 2009, 9:38 am

Thankq Sooooooooo Muchhhhhhhh, Really it will help us a lot…:)
Posted by sumant on November 23, 2009, 12:11 am

thank u so much…….
Posted by seshadri on November 27, 2009, 12:42 pm

Hi am totally new to this environment and I am Planning to Install and try Exchange 2K7 Installation in my Test Lab. Can any one Pls let me Know What are the Pre and Post Requirements?also the mail thing is that I don’t even have Have Active Directory installed in my test environment So Should I Install One Before installing Exchange 2K7??

Thanks and regard.
Posted by MOHAMMAD SHAHID on January 16, 2010, 8:54 am

Thanks to every one for this information believe me it’s very helping for us
Posted by priya on June 6, 2010, 10:17 pm

i got error at the readiness checking display when i checked for hub transport……hoe to solve it
Posted by subhi on June 29, 2010, 6:38 am

i have raised functional level to server 2003 but the same error Active Directory root domain ‘DC=subhi,DC=com’ is in mixed mode. To install Exchange Server 2007, this domain must be Windows 2000 native mode or above.please i need help
Posted by Mohammed Sajid on July 29, 2010, 8:19 pm

Dear Sir/Madam
I have windows server 2008 32 bit enterprise edition. That PC also Domain Controller.I have 2 client computer also running windows 7. I try to install exchange server 2007 32bit in this domain controller It is giving error message “cannot find at least one global catalog server running windows server 2003 sp1 or later in local active directory site” and also giving warning message “This computer is running Windows Longhorn.This configuration is not supported in prouction enviornment”. This message is coming during readiness check Hub transport role.
Train Signal Team Member
Posted by Kasia Grabowska on August 6, 2010, 10:34 am

Hi Mohammed,

I’m not an Exchange expert, but just from looking up your problem on different blogs and forums, I think your problem is with your versions of Exchange and Windows Server.

According to this MSExchage.org article, Exchange 2007 RTM is only supported on Server 2003 SP1 + SP2, while Server 2008 only supports Exchange 2007 SP1:

http://www.msexchange.org/articles_tutorials/exchange-server-2007/migration-deployment/installing-exchange-2007-windows-server-2008.html

I think that’s why you’re getting error messages that say cannot find Windows Server 2003 and Windows Longhorm configuration is not supported.

My suggestion would be to take a look at the Exchange 2007 planning checklist to make sure you have everything in order before trying again:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb125239(EXCHG.80).aspx

Good luck! I hope this info is helpful to you!
Posted by kashif baig on April 16, 2011, 3:25 am

Thanks for this give us precious information……
Posted by kashif baig on April 16, 2011, 3:52 am

Dear Sir/Madam

I have Win 2008 Server x64, Ative Directory and DHCP enbaled, I have another server and installed win 2003 server and exchnge server 2007, i am asking you a Question,
1) When i restart or start server (win 2003 + Exchaneg 2007), dose not start
(MS Exchange System attended Service)

any help about this?
thanks
Posted by bajrang lal on April 27, 2011, 10:26 pm

dear all

please tell me how to install exchange 2007 via command line i am waiting your reply
Posted by anirban on May 28, 2011, 1:40 am

can you tell me how to uninstall exchange server 2007

what r the steps
Train Signal Team Member
Posted by Kasia Lorenc on May 28, 2011, 4:57 pm

Hi Anirban,

Thanks for suggesting a topic! We’ll make sure to cover it in the upcoming weeks.
Posted by medo samo on July 8, 2011, 1:25 am

i want to migrate from exchange 2003 to exchange 2007 sp1 ???
Posted by ajeet on July 29, 2011, 4:19 am

thanks sir
Posted by kabuldin paktiawal on December 28, 2011, 7:28 pm

Thanks for all
dear sir
Is Exchange server installing in vmware
Posted by Abhijit Unawane on February 1, 2012, 4:53 am

@kabuldin paktiawal :-yes we can install on vmvare also
Posted by gaurav ran on March 24, 2012, 3:08 am

thans for guides