XADM: You Cannot Install Exchange System Manager on a Windows XP-Based Computer

The information in this article applies to:
bulletMicrosoft Exchange 2000 Server
bulletMicrosoft Windows XP Professional
bulletMicrosoft Windows XP Professional SP1

SYMPTOMS

When you try to install the Microsoft Exchange System Management Tools on a Windows XP-based client computer, you may receive the following error message:
 

The component "Microsoft Exchange System Management Tool" cannot be assigned the action "install" because the Windows 2000 Administration Tools must be present.

You receive this error message although you have installed the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools (Adminpak.msi).

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because Exchange Setup only determines if the Windows 2000 Administration Tools are installed on the client computer. The Windows 2000 version of the Administration Tools is not supported on Windows XP.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, obtain and install the Exchange2000-kb815529-x86-enu.exe package before you install the Exchange System Management Tools. This update causes the Exchange 2000 Setup program to interpret that the Windows 2000 Administration Tools are installed on your Windows XP-based client computer. The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
DownloadDownload the Exchange2000-kb815529-x86-enu.exe package now. Release Date: 03-Apr-2003

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on secure servers that prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. Important This update does not install the Windows 2000 Administration Tools. You must install the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools on Windows XP-based client computers.

To install the Exchange System Management Tools on a Windows XP client computer:

  1. If you have not already done so, install Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) on your client computer.
  2. Install the SMTP service on your client computer.

    Note Disable the SMTP service if you do not have to use it on the local client computer. The disabling of nonessential services increases the security on your computer.
  3. Join the client computer to the domain.
  4. Install the Exchange2000-kb815529-x86-enu.exe package on the client computer. This update is a self-extracting Windows Installer file that installs a GUID in the registry to cause the Exchange 2000 Server Setup program to interpret that the Windows 2000 Administration Tools are installed.

    Important This update does not install the Windows 2000 Administration Tools.
  5. Install the Exchange System Management Tools on the client computer.
  6. Install Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Exchange 2000 Server on the client computer. For additional information about how to obtain the latest Exchange 2000 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    301378 How to Obtain the Latest Exchange 2000 Server Service Pack

  7. Install the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools.

    Note The installation of the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools removes the Exchange2000-kb815529-x86-enu.exe update from the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, use the Remote Desktop feature to connect to a Windows 2000 Server-based computer that is running Terminal Services and the Windows 2000 Administration tools so that you can remotely manage Exchange 2000 Server.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server.

MORE INFORMATION

To remove the Exchange System Management Tools from the client computer:

  1. Remove the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools by using the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel.
  2. Install the Exchange2000-kb815529-x86-enu.exe package on the client computer.
  3. Start Exchange 2000 Server Setup to remove the Microsoft Exchange System Management Tools component.
  4. Re-install the Windows Server 2003 Administration Tools.
Last Reviewed: 4/3/2003
Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb kbenv kbinfo kbfix kbbug KB815529