HI, Just need to know you need public folders, what problem you are facing which requires PF needs to be installed if you don't use then no need to install. 1. No, only One Public Folder DB is required. Be aware that a server can contain only one public folder database , please go through the below URL for more detailed information. Any time you can create but it's better to create during slow part of the day. If all client computers in your organization are running Microsoft Outlook 2010 or Office Outlook 2007, there are no dependencies on public folders for features such as free and busy information and offline address book (OAB) downloads. Instead of using public folders for OAB downloads and free and busy information, in Exchange 2010, these features are serviced by the Autodiscover service, the Microsoft Exchange System Attendant service, and the Microsoft Exchange File Distribution service. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb397221.aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd335208.aspx http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Public-Folder-Basics-Part1.html 2. User will see the public folders in the outlook > when you click folder in outlook> their user will get the PF's 3. No Downtime, but yes first of all you need to understand the business requirement , according to that you need to proceed further. 4. You will get the benefits in teh above URL's. Thanks

Hello, For more reference, please refer to: Understanding Public Folders http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb397221.aspx Managing Public Folders http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb124411.aspx Thanks, Simon

We migrated from Groupwise last year to a fresh Exch2010/Outlook2010 system with 300 users. All the documentation I read stated Public Folders were not required so I didn't create any. We are installing an archive system(Barracuda). It gets all of our email and is working correct. In order to track what folders items are moved into, it runs a sync at night. The only problem is the setup of extended features like this requires public folders to be installed in exchange. My questions are: 1. I have three message databases on a single server running the mbx role. Do I need multiple Public Folder DBs created or just one? Will creating it/them require off hours or can I just do it during the slow part of the day? 2. Will the average user see anything different in their outlook? 3. Is there any downside to having them - ie. performance hit, chance for corruption of the overall mail system? We have had a good experience so far with Exch/OL and I don't want to endanger that. 4. Is there any benefit to having them that I can use as a silver lining? As Always, thanks for your help!

HI, Just need to know you need public folders, what problem you are facing which requires PF needs to be installed if you don't use then no need to install. 1. No, only One Public Folder DB is required. Be aware that a server can contain only one public folder database , please go through the below URL for more detailed information. Any time you can create but it's better to create during slow part of the day. If all client computers in your organization are running Microsoft Outlook 2010 or Office Outlook 2007, there are no dependencies on public folders for features such as free and busy information and offline address book (OAB) downloads. Instead of using public folders for OAB downloads and free and busy information, in Exchange 2010, these features are serviced by the Autodiscover service, the Microsoft Exchange System Attendant service, and the Microsoft Exchange File Distribution service. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb397221.aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd335208.aspx http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Public-Folder-Basics-Part1.html 2. User will see the public folders in the outlook > when you click folder in outlook> their user will get the PF's 3. No Downtime, but yes first of all you need to understand the business requirement , according to that you need to proceed further. 4. You will get the benefits in teh above URL's. Thanks