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Summary: This article discusses the procedures for creating user mailboxes in Exchange, emphasizing the need for proper permissions and time considerations. It outlines two manual methods using Exchange Admin Center (EAC) and Exchange Management Shell. The article also explains how to create user mailboxes during Exchange migrations using the Kernel for Exchange Server Recovery tool. The tool allows for efficient mailbox creation in live Exchange environments.

In Exchange, user mailboxes are directly linked to actual users, with a dedicated mailbox assigned to each individual. Each mailbox is intricately tied to an Active Directory account, providing users with seamless access to their mailbox functionalities, enabling them to send and receive emails, as well as manage tasks and appointments.

When administrators initiate the creation of a new user mailbox in Exchange, they simultaneously generate a corresponding Active Directory user. This process involves employing various methods to establish user mailboxes within Exchange.

Things to Know before Creating a User Mailbox in Exchange

  • You need assigned permissions from administrator to perform this procedure. You can check the Recipient Provisioning Permissions to know what permissions you need.
  • The overall time to complete this procedure will be between 2 to 5 minutes.

Manual methods to create a new user mailbox

There are generally two ways to create user mailboxes in Exchange – using EAC and Exchange Management Shell. Let’s have a look at both these methods:

#1: Using EAC to create an user mailbox

To create a new user mailbox, follow the below steps:

  1. In the EAC, go to Recipients and select Mailboxes.
  2. You’ll see a (+) sign, click it and select User mailbox.
  3. The New user mailbox page will appear on the screen. Configure the settings on this page, such as Alias, New User, First name, Initials, Last Name, Display name, Name, Organizational Unit, and User login name.
    Note: The options marked with (*) are required to be filled.
  4. Enter the New Password and confirm this password by entering again. Make sure the password length complies with the organization’s standards and requirements.
  5. Check the box “Require password change on next login” to force users to change the password at the first sign in.
  6. Click the Save button to create user mailbox and the Active Directory account associated with it. You can configure the following settings for user mailbox by clicking More options.
    • Mailbox database – click Browse to select the mailbox database that holds the mailbox.
    • Create an on-premises archive mailbox for the user
    • Address book policy – it defines an address list for the user

    After configuring the user mailbox settings, you can click Save. The user mailbox has been created successfully.

#2: Using Exchange Management Shell

Exchange Management Shell is another viable option to create user mailboxes in Exchange Server. It involves using various commands to create a new user mailbox.

Use the below syntax to create a user mailbox with Exchange Management Shell.

New-Mailbox -Name -UserPrincipalName -Password (ConvertTo-SecureString -String ‘‘ -AsPlainText -Force) [-Alias ] [-FirstName ] [-LastName ] [-DisplayName ] -[OrganizationalUnit ]

The parameters required to create a new user mailbox with the Exchange Management Shell are as follows:

  • Name: (Sandeep), the same name will also be added to the display name, as we are not using DisplayName parameter.
  • UserPrincipalName: – the active directory account name will be as follows sandeeps@contoso.com.
  • Password: – Pa$$word4
  • Apart from these, there are some optional parameters as well.

  • FirstName: – Sandeep
  • LastName: – Saxeba
  • The alias value will be sandeeps as we aren’t using the Alias parameter.

These are the easiest methods to create a new user mailbox in the Exchange environment. After creating the new user mailbox, you can verify whether it’s created or not by going to EAC or EMS.

How to create a new user mailbox at the time of migration?

During Exchange migrations, administrators will have to create new user mailboxes in the destination Exchange Server. Exchange Recovery is an efficient tool that allows you to create a new user mailbox in a live Exchange environment. However, you’ll need to install Exchange Management tools on your system to create a new mailbox with Exchange Server recovery. Also, you’ll need an administrator right to perform this procedure. Kernel for Exchange Server offers an effective solution for this task, enabling the creation of a new user mailbox within a live Exchange environment. To accomplish this, it is essential to install Exchange Management tools on your system. Furthermore, you must possess administrator rights to execute this procedure successfully.

Note: The software does not currently support the creation of user mailboxes within Office 365. However, it offers the flexibility to create user mailboxes in any version of Exchange Server, regardless of whether it has been designated as a destination within the tool.

Now, follow the below steps to create a user mailbox with Exchange Recovery tool.

  1. Open the tool and add Live Exchange as a destination by clicking Add Destination.
  2. Once Live Exchange is added, click anywhere in the Destination list.
  3. Select Create Mailbox option. The following dialog box will appear on the screen. Enter the credentials for the required fields and click Next.
  4. In the new wizard, you’ll find multiple options like creating a mailbox with a new user or an existing user. Also, you can use the CSV for creating the mailboxes in bulk.
  5. Click New User for creating a new mailbox with a new user. The following dialog box will appear on the screen.
  6. Enter the details for the new user mailbox and click OK. You’ll get back to the previous dialog box. You can add multiple mailboxes using the same technique.

    Note: By default, a preconfigured password will appear for the new user. It’s strongly recommended to change the passwords to follow the regulatory compliances.
  7. After adding new users, you’ll return to Create mailbox wizard. Click Next to start creating user mailboxes.
  8. Once the process is complete, you’ll receive a message on screen displaying:
  9. Click OK to check whether the mailboxes are created or not. The previous wizard displaying new mailboxes will appear on the screen. You can save this report in HTML format by clicking Generate Report.

This is one of the simplest and hassle-free methods to create new user mailboxes in Exchange Server during migration.

Conclusion

Every organization leveraging Exchange Server must establish user mailboxes for their employees, facilitating more efficient communication and collaboration. Additionally, during Exchange migrations, there may be a need to create new mailboxes. In such scenarios, Exchange Server Recovery proves invaluable as an efficient tool for generating user mailboxes in bulk.

Kernel for Exchange Server