Hi We have an Exchange 2003 Server with four Storage groups each containing between 1 and three stores.We are trying to delete an old empty mailbox store nd storage group as we are rationlising storage areas / names etc ( it just has its SMTP mailbox and the system mailbox) The storage group and its mailbox are not the first storage group or the first mailbox store on this server. I have found MS article -but it refers to front end and back end servers - which is not our set up.Does any one know where I can find out how to do this please

Hi,Even I didn't find any document or KB for it. However since it is not first mailbox store and storage group...- You can simply right click on Mailbox Store or Storage Groups and click on Delete to remove unwanted store or SGs after moving all mailboxes. Anyhow it prompts if you have any required/user mailboxes on store when you try to delete.- You need to remove/delete the physical database (edb/stm) file manually so just keep a note of path before deleting stores.Amit Tank | MVP - Exchange | MCITP:EMA MCSA:M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

You can also search AD to ensure there are no mailboxes on the database (sometimes a mailbox is created but never connected which causes the mailbox not to display in ESM). Perform a search in AD using the Exchange tab and select 'Users with Exchange mailbox'. You can then order the results by Exchange Mailbox Store.

Thanks for your replies . I will try this after this after a final backup later today and update here. Thanks

BTW what do I do with the SMTP mailbox and the system mailbox? please Submit

No need to do anything since all mailbox databases have their own SMTP and System Mailbox attached with corresponding mailbox GUID. Those will be deleted along with mailbox database deletion.Checkout below article to get more information about special mailboxes.Overview of Exchange 2000 Server and Exchange Server 2003 Special Mailboxeshttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996235(EXCHG.65).aspxAmit Tank | MVP - Exchange | MCITP:EMA MCSA:M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

Will do - Many thanks for your help.