I have been asked to delete a number of email distribution groups from Exchange. I don't know if the groups are used by Active Directory for anything else and I am hesitant to delete them. Can these distribution groups perform the job of granting access permissions in AD or Sharepoint in addition to being distribution groups? Does this make any sense to anyone? I just don't know what else the groups may be used for and that's why I am hesitating to delete them. Our Exchange enviornment is set up as a dag. Any information on this would be appreciated.

If they are mail enabled security groups yes. If they are just distribution groups, no it can't be used to grant access including sharepoint. The only way to audit if the DL is being is being used is by message tracking.James Chong MCITP | EA | EMA; MCSE | M+, S+ Security+, Project+, ITIL msexchangetips.blogspot.com

James is right. Just to add, if they are Mail-enabled security groups, and you don't want to remove them from Active Directory, choose to disable them in the Exchange Management Console rather than remove. The Security Group will then remain. SteveSteve Goodman Check out my Blog for more Exchange info or find me on Twitter

ok. thanks. Now that i've disabled my groups they do not show up in the list of groups. They immediatly disapeared after i disabled each one. My question is how to enable them if i can't see them anymore? I'm asking in case I need to re-enable them again.

Hiya There's a technet article here that should explain how to do it via the shell, or Exchange Management console. SteveSteve Goodman Check out my Blog for more Exchange info or find me on Twitter

Hi That's it. Thanks for all your help. Omid