How to configure a mailbox to forward mail to a mail-enabled contact

This article describes how to configure a mailbox to forward mail to either a mail-enabled contact (a custom recipient in Exchange Server 5.5) or another mailbox on an Exchange 2000 computer or on an Exchange Server 2003 computer.

Note This procedure must be performed on a computer that is running both Exchange System Manager and the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in. The Exchange Server-specific options are not available if the computer is not running the DLL files that are installed with Exchange System Manager.

The procedure is divided into two separate sections. If you are only going to be forwarding mail from one Exchange 2000 or Exchange 2003 mailbox or user to another Exchange 2000 or Exchange 2003 mailbox user, you do not have to complete the following first or second sections.

How to create a contact

1. Start the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in.
2. Expand the server, and then right-click Users.
3. Click New, and then click Contact.
4. Type a name.
5. Click Modify, click SMTP, and then click OK to create the custom SMTP mail address.
6. Type the SMTP e-mail address, click OK, click Next, and then click Finish.

How to mail-enable a contact

1. Start the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in.
2. Right-click the contact, and then click Exchange Tasks.
3. Click Next, click to select Establish e-mail addresses, and then click Next.
4. If the contact does not have an alias, enter an alias for the contact.
5. Click the appropriate e-mail address type, and then type the e-mail address.
   
   Note Click the Advanced tab to configure the Message Format setting.
6. Click OK, click Next, and then click Finish.

How to configure mail forwarding

Note The forwarding address can be any mail-enabled object. Examples of mail-enabled objects include distribution groups, security groups, public folders, and other related items.

1. Start the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in.
2. Right-click the mail-enabled user, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Exchange General tab.
4. Click Delivery Options.
5. In the Forwarding Address section, click Forward to, and then click Modify.
6. Click the mail-enabled user or the mail-enabled contact. Then, click OK.
   
   Note If you want e-mail to be delivered to the original mailbox as well as the forwarding address, select the Deliver messages to both forwarding address and mailbox check box.
7. To close Delivery Options and to close Properties, click OK two times.