XADM: How to Disable Public Folder Conflict Message Notification

This article explains how to disable public folder conflict message notification.

When two users have edited and modified the same message in a public folder, the resulting saved messages are defined as being in conflict. This can happen when a simultaneous save occurs on the same public folder server, or if the message is edited on two servers that contain replicas of the folder. In this case, the conflict occurs when replication between the servers takes place.

When a conflict occurs, the owners of the public folder receive an e-mail message from the Exchange server notifying them of the conflict. The owners can then open the conflicting message in the public folder where they can choose to keep the item or keep all items. Keeping all items results in the generation of two messages in the public folder.

The method Exchange uses to resolve these conflicts is defined by the folder property, PR_RESOLVE_METHOD. This property is displayed as an unassigned folder property under the process identifier, 0x3FE7. There are three possible values for this property: By default, the value is set to 0. If you do not want a notification message to be sent out during a conflict, then you must change the value to 2.

You can only change this value programmatically. For more information, you can consult the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN), or you can use a utility such as Mdbvu32.exe to change individual folder property values.

The MSDN information is available on the Microsoft Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/msdn (http://www.microsoft.com/msdn) ; search for PR_RESOLVE_METHOD for more information.

The utility, Mdbvu32.exe, is included with the Exchange Server CD-ROM under the Support/Utilities directory. For additional information about how to use Mdbvu32.exe, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Using Mdbvu32.exe to Change the Value of PR_RESOLVE_METHOD

Note: The MAPI profile used with Mdbvu32.exe must have the necessary rights to modify public folder attributes. A profile with the service account defined as the Microsoft Windows NT Associated account is recommended.

1. Open Mdbvu32.exe, and then click OK to log on to the information store.
2. In the MDB menu, click OpenMessageStore.
3. Select Public Folders, and then click Open.
4. In the MDB menu, click Open Root Folder. Click OK until the main window appears.
5. Double-click IPM_SUBTREE.
6. Choose the public folder that you wish to not receive notification messages, and then double-click this folder.
7. In the Folder Properties window, double-click the property 0x3FE7.
8. In the Current Properties window select 0x3FE7, and then click SetProps.
9. In the Property ID window, type in 3FE7.
10. For PropType, select PT_LONG.
11. Add the value for this property under Prop Data; in this case enter 2.
12. Click Add, and then click Call.
13. Click close on the next window, and make sure the value for 0x3FE7 updated to reflect the changes you made.
14. Close the window and repeat these steps for other folders.

Important: By modifying the parent folder property value, the value is not propagated to child folders. Also, when a child folder is created under the parent folder with a modified value, the child folder does not inherit the modified value and is created with the default value of 0.