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Step by Step Guide to Install Exchange Server

2016
Last Updated on: February 10, 2022 by Prajwal Desai

This post is a Step by Step Guide to Install Exchange Server 2016. The
installation considers a single server deployment of Exchange Server 2016
with the Mailbox role.

Before you install Microsoft Exchange Server 2016, I recommend that you
install it in an isolated test environment.

That’s because this test environment will act as your proof of concept for
your new Exchange 2016 design. Based on the results, you can either move
forward or roll back any implementations before deploying into your
production environments.
When it comes to installing Exchange Server 2016, you can install it in 2 ways.
The first method is more of GUI based setup where you run setup without
any command-line switches. This provides an interactive experience where
you are guided by the Exchange 2016 Setup wizard.

While the second method is you run setup with command-line switches that
facilitates you to install Exchange from an interactive command line or
through a script.

Here are some of the topics that I strongly recommend you to go through
first before setting up Exchange 2016.
Exchange Server 2016 system requirements
Exchange Server 2016 prerequisites
Deploy a new installation of Exchange 2016
Exchange Server 2016 can be installed on Windows Server 2012 and
Windows Server 2012 R2. I prefer to install it on Windows Server 2012 R2 as
it is more stable.

For both versions of Windows Server either the Standard or Datacenter

edition can be used to run Exchange Server 2016.
Exchange Server 2016 Prerequisites

Before you install Exchange server 2016, you might have to install some
prerequisites.

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 (Offline Installer)

Unified Communications Managed API 4.0 Runtime

Before you install Microsoft Exchange Server 2016, you need to prepare your
Active Directory forest and its domains.
In my lab setup I am installing Exchange 2016 on a server that is running
Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter edition. The account that is used to
install exchange server is a member of Enterprise Admins group and Schema
admins group.

Exchange needs to prepare Active Directory so that it can store information

about your users mailboxes and the configuration of Exchange servers in the
organization.

For Exchange 2016 setup, you need to install various Windows roles and
features, .NET Framework 4.5.2 or later, and other required software.

Install Dot Net Framework 4.5.2

Let us start with installing Microsoft .NET framework 4.5.2 on the machine
where Exchange 2016 is going to be installed. Download and install .net
framework 4.5.2 and click Finish.
Open Windows PowerShell and run the following command to install the
Remote Tools Administration Pack.

Install-WindowsFeature RSAT-ADDS
Prerequisites for Exchange Mailbox Server Role

In this section we will see the prerequisites that needs to be installed on a

server running a standalone Exchange 2016 server with the Mailbox Server
Role.

First of all launch the Windows PowerShell (run as administrator). Run the
following command to install the required Windows components. You must
restart after the server to complete the installation process.

Install-WindowsFeature AS-HTTP-Activation, Desktop-Experience, NET-Framework-45-

Prerequisites for Edge Server Role

If you are planning to install Edge server role then run the following
command to install the required Windows components.

Install-WindowsFeature ADLDS

Extend the Active Directory schema

Before you install Microsoft Exchange Server 2016, you need to extend the
active directory schema and prepare your Active Directory forest and its
domains.

So mount the Exchange Server 2016 installation Media. Launch Command

Prompt (run as administrator) and navigate to path where setup files are
present.

Once you successfully enter the below command, the prerequisite analysis
and extending AD schema steps should shows the status as Completed.
Prepare Active Directory for Exchange 2016

Next step is to prepare the Active Directory. In the same command prompt
that you launched, run the below command by replacing organization name
with a name.
The next step is to download and install Unified Communications Managed
API 4.0 Runtime.

Additionally, run the below command to avoid the Error: The Windows
component RSAT-Clustering-CmdInterface isn’t installed on this computer
and needs to be installed before Exchange Setup can begin.

You have now prepared your server to install Exchange Server 2016.

Install Exchange Server 2016

Download the Exchange 2016 installation files from the Microsoft Download
Center. Log on to the computer on which you want to install Exchange 2016.
Navigate to the network location of the Exchange 2016 installation files. Start
Exchange 2016 Setup by double-clicking Setup executable.

On the Check for Updates page, choose whether you want Setup to connect
to the Internet and download product and security updates for Exchange
2016.

If you select Connect to the Internet and check for updates, Setup will
download updates and apply them prior to continuing.

If you select Don’t check for updates right now, you can download and install
updates manually later. Click Next to continue.
The Introduction page begins the process of installing Exchange into your
organization. Click Next to continue.
On the License Agreement page, review the software license terms. Select I
accept the terms in the license agreement, and then click Next.
On the Recommended settings page, select whether you want to use the
recommended settings.

If you select Use recommended settings, Exchange will automatically send

error reports and information about your computer hardware and how you
use Exchange to Microsoft.

If you select Don’t use recommended settings, these settings remain

disabled but you can enable them at any time after Setup completes. Click
Next.
Exchange Server Role Selection

On the Server Role Selection page, choose whether you want to install the
Mailbox role or just the Management Tools on this computer.

The management tools install automatically when you install the Mailbox
server role. Select Automatically install Windows Server roles and
features that are required to install Exchange Server to have the Setup
wizard install required Windows prerequisites.

You may need to reboot the computer to complete the installation of some
Windows features. If you don’t select this option, you need to install the
Windows features manually. Click Next.

If you’re installing the Mailbox role, on the Malware Protection Settings

page, choose whether you want to enable or disable malware scanning.

If you disable malware scanning, it can be enabled in the future. Click Next
to continue.
On the Readiness Checks page, ensure all readiness checks have completed
successfully. To install Exchange Server 2016, click Install.
Once the setup is complete, click Finish. Restart the computer after Exchange
Server 2016 has completed.

Exchange 2016 Admin Center

Let’s now open Exchange Admin Center. Open the web browser and type the
below https://exchangeServerFQDN/ECP.

This link should load the Exchange Admin Center. Enter the username and
password and click sign in.

You are now ready to explore the options available in Exchange admin
center. Furthermore, you could also see Exchange 2016 post-installation
tasks.

Need Assistance?
 Send us a message or post your question in
forums.

Prajwal Desai

Prajwal Desai is a 7 time Microsoft MVP in Enterprise Mobility. With more than

10 years of content writing experience behind him, it's one of his favorite

activities. His goal is to write comprehensive posts and guides, always aiming

to help people with essential information.

54 thoughts on “Step by Step Guide to Install Exchange
Server 2016”

Anand GD
June 2, 2022 at 12:36 pm
Hi Prajwal,
We have installed and configured Exchange server Standard 2019
and is live. We have some issues which needs to be addressed as we
are unable to contain phishing mails, Malware inspite of features
enabled. The firewall installed is Sophos XG230. Sophos InterceptX
Advanced antivirus has been installed in the exchange.

I would like to know if you could support us in giving a solution to

address this issue.

Thanks in Advance

Anand GD

Reply

Ruben
July 15, 2022 at 1:16 am
 How do you have your policies configured on XG? and also in
which mode are you running the XG i.e. MTA or Legacy?

Reply

Abhi
March 17, 2022 at 6:09 pm

PS E:\> .\Setup.exe /PrepareSchema

/IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms

Microsoft Exchange Server 2016 Cumulative Update 15 Unattended

Setup

Copying Files…
File copy complete. Setup will now collect additional information
needed for installation.
Performing Microsoft Exchange Server Prerequisite Check

Prerequisite Analysis COMPLETED

Configuring Microsoft Exchange Server

Extending Active Directory schema FAILED

The following error was generated when “$error.Clear();

install-ExchangeSchema -LdapFileName ($roleInstallPath +
“Setup\Data\”+$RoleSchemaPrefix + “schema0.ldf”)

” was run: “Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.TaskException:

There was an error while running ‘ldifde.exe’ to import the schema
file
‘C:\Windows\Temp\ExchangeSetup\Setup
\Data\PostExchange2003_schema0.ldf’. The error code is: 31. More
details can be
found in the error file: ‘C:\Users\Administrator.SOMRT\AppData\Local
\Temp\ldif.err’
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.Task.ThrowError(Exception
exception, ErrorCategory errorCategory, Object target,
String helpUrl)
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Management.Deployment.InstallExchangeSchem
a.ImportSchemaFile(String
schemaMasterServer, String schemaFilePath, String macroName,
String macroValue, WriteVerboseDelegate writeVerbose)
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Management.Deployment.InstallExchangeSchem
a.InternalProcessRecord()
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.Task.b__91_1()
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.Task.InvokeRetryableFunc(Stri
ng funcName, Action func, Boolean
terminatePipelineIfFailed)”.

The Exchange Server setup operation didn’t complete. More details

can be found in ExchangeSetup.log located in the
:\ExchangeSetupLogs folder.
PS E:\>
Reply

Abhi
March 17, 2022 at 6:10 pm

Could you please help

Reply

Ruben
July 15, 2022 at 1:13 am

Check your DC, it should be online when installing Exchange

on a standalone server or you can directly try installing
Exchange on your DC
 Reply

sarfraz
March 17, 2022 at 1:25 pm

Thanks. please share link to download exchange server 2016. Also let
me know backup and restore of exchange server, due to any disaster.

Reply

Shaji
November 15, 2021 at 5:30 pm

hi Could you please tell me the protocol used in exchange 2016.

is it mapi, http ? please reply.
 Reply

gkpeoples32
November 8, 2021 at 8:50 am

Is it possible to have an exchange server farm where you have

multiple exchange servers under one url namespace? I hope this isn’t
a dumb question but I’m still learning and I’m just curious, that’s all.
Thanks again for all you do!

Reply

Radhakrishna
January 19, 2021 at 11:48 am
 super

Reply

Anil
December 24, 2020 at 2:56 pm

Simple and Clearly presented, Thank you so much,

Reply

Sumer
September 11, 2020 at 12:34 am

Thank you so much just because of you i was finally able to set up
 my lab without a single error finally….Thank you Prajwal from bottom
of my heart…..

Reply

Prajwal Desai
September 11, 2020 at 12:21 pm

Glad to hear that.

Reply

Hristo
August 26, 2020 at 5:02 pm

Owesome guide, thanks!

 Reply

Karan
May 2, 2020 at 2:35 pm

PLease share ISO images too, so guys can learn, it is good to give
info but how to work on it if resources are not available

Reply

Milind
April 16, 2020 at 11:00 am
 This topic is helpful

Reply

NguriJ
March 11, 2020 at 3:56 pm

Blessings for sharing this, was necessary to my success today

Reply

alireza ghahrood
February 17, 2020 at 2:32 pm
 thank bro ! it helping for Other

Reply

Tony Thomas
December 24, 2019 at 5:01 am

I got to tell you, I love your write ups.. everytime I do a new install of
Exchange (2013/2016) I consistently find your step by step guides to
walk me through all of the installs. Thank you for sharing your
knowledge and expertise, Prajwal.

Reply

Chatrughan Prasad
December 18, 2019 at 9:20 am
 I am trying to install Exchange 2016 CU4 in Server 2019. It is giving
OS compatbililty error. How can use the ADSI edit to solve this.

Reply

Rahul Sharma
December 1, 2018 at 12:25 am

Hey Prajwal, Thanks for sharing this information. However how to

integrate SFB 2015 with Exchange 2016…

Reply

netsoe
November 14, 2018 at 2:43 pm
 thank bro ! it helping for my setup lab

Reply

Adnan Tariq
October 4, 2018 at 12:04 pm

Hi, i have installed Exchange 2016 fresh installation. everything is

working fine except Outlook 2016 is not able to connect to the
server.
Outlook 2013 is connecting to the server successfully. any idea what
could be the issue.

Reply
KO Oo
August 14, 2018 at 5:53 pm

I also Have Some errors while I’m in=stalling Exchange Server 2016

Reply

Bilal
May 31, 2018 at 6:39 pm

Hi, I’ve set up exchange server 2016 and my internal mail flow is fine,
but the External mail flow(send & receive) won’t work
can you provide me with a procedure of what record need to created
on domain providers website and the DNS setup for external mail
flow to work
Thanks in advance.
 Reply

Bilal
May 31, 2018 at 6:36 pm

Hi, I’ve setup exchange server 2016 and my internal mail flow is fine,
but the External mail flow(send & receive) won’t work
can you provide me with a procedure of what record need to created
on domain providers website and the DNS setup for external mail
flow to work
Thanks in advance.

Reply

Nur
July 20, 2018 at 8:09 pm
 Reset iis and try again

Reply

Nur
July 20, 2018 at 8:12 pm

I think you should entry two records in your isp end . One is
webmail. Domain Name and another is auto
discover.domainName.

Reply

Venu Gopal Mantha

January 31, 2019 at 10:25 am
 I think in your firewall add the port numbers in both Incoming
and out going. then just restart all exchange services and try I
am sure i will work. At the same time please check your
records which are mentioned in DNS entry as well as in your
server records shoud match each other. then I am sure all out
going mail will work and it will fetch all the mail from both in
and out.

Reply

Theophilus Blaudfaust
April 2, 2018 at 8:21 pm

This is great guide to Install install Microsoft Exchange 2016.

Reply
 Prajwal Desai
April 12, 2018 at 12:51 am

Thank you

Reply

Chad
March 30, 2018 at 1:38 am

Thanks Praj, your Step by step guide is awesome.

have you got any plans to do the same for SharePoint?

Reply
 Prajwal Desai
April 12, 2018 at 12:53 am

No Chad, i had deployed Sharepoint only once and never

worked on it.

Reply

Gary
January 5, 2018 at 10:04 pm

After fighting through Microsoft’s confusing and incomplete

documentation and having the install fail 2 times, damaging AD both
times(Yes, I did have backups), I began searching for a third party
step by step and found this page. I had decided that installing
exchange was just stupidly complicated. But, after following the steps
on this page. I was able to install the first time using the steps on this
 page. Prajwal Desai, you sir should be in charge of the Technical
writing department and at Microsoft! Thank you sir!

Reply

Prajwal Desai
January 5, 2018 at 10:44 pm

Thank you so much.

Reply

Pete
December 14, 2017 at 5:55 am

I installed server 2016 core, and tried to install exchange 2016 cu5.
Install failed. Server 2016 needs “desktop experience” version
 installed. Had to start over with fresh server 2016 install, choosing
“desktop experience”.

Reply

Pete
December 8, 2017 at 2:17 am

(installing on server 2016 cu7)

Reply

Pete
December 8, 2017 at 2:16 am

I’ve found that the “install-windowsfeature as-http-activation…….” in

powershell doesn’t work. Had to use this command instead:

Install-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-45-Features, RPC-over-

HTTP-proxy, RSAT-Clustering, RSAT-Clustering-CmdInterface, RSAT-
Clustering-Mgmt, RSAT-Clustering-PowerShell, Web-Mgmt-Console,
WAS-Process-Model, Web-Asp-Net45, Web-Basic-Auth, Web-Client-
Auth, Web-Digest-Auth, Web-Dir-Browsing, Web-Dyn-Compression,
Web-Http-Errors, Web-Http-Logging, Web-Http-Redirect, Web-Http-
Tracing, Web-ISAPI-Ext, Web-ISAPI-Filter, Web-Lgcy-Mgmt-Console,
Web-Metabase, Web-Mgmt-Console, Web-Mgmt-Service, Web-Net-
Ext45, Web-Request-Monitor, Web-Server, Web-Stat-Compression,
Web-Static-Content, Web-Windows-Auth, Web-WMI, Windows-
Identity-Foundation, RSAT-ADDS

Reply

brian
March 12, 2018 at 4:48 am
 I was stuck on this part and I came across your comment and
it worked perfectly Thanks!!

Reply

Mark
October 18, 2017 at 11:19 am

This guide was pretty much 100% accurate. Thanks oodles for the
writeup, Prajwal!
–Mark

Reply

Atif
October 17, 2017 at 10:30 am
I am getting the following error at “step 6 of 13 Mailbox Role –
Transport Services” and i am installing on Windows Server 2016, I
have disabled the IPV6 and also Started all the Exchange server
services with automatic option. Please advise.
Error:
The following error was generated when “$error.Clear();
if ($exsSid -eq $null -or $exsSid -eq “”)
{
$exsSid = get-ExchangeServerGroupSID -DomainController
$RoleDomainController
}
start-setupservice -ServiceName MSExchangeADTopology
-ServiceParameters $exsSid,$RoleDomainController
” was run:
“Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.ServiceDisabledException:
Service ‘MSExchangeADTopology’ is disabled on this server. —>
System.InvalidOperationException: Cannot start service
MSExchangeADTopology on computer ‘.’. —>
System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: The service cannot be
started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled
devices associated with it
— End of inner exception stack trace —
at System.ServiceProcess.ServiceController.Start(String[] args)
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Management.Tasks.ManageSetupService.StartSer
viceWorker(ServiceController serviceController, String[]
serviceParameters)
— End of inner exception stack trace —
at Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.Task.ThrowError(Exception
exception, ErrorCategory errorCategory, Object target, String helpUrl)
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Management.Tasks.ManageSetupService.StartSer
vice(ServiceController serviceController, Boolean
ignoreServiceStartTimeout, Boolean failIfServiceNotInstalled,
Unlimited`1 maximumWaitTime, String[] serviceParameters)
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Management.Tasks.ManageSetupService.StartSer
vice(String serviceName, Boolean ignoreServiceStartTimeout, Boolean
failIfServiceNotInstalled, Unlimited`1 maximumWaitTime, String[]
serviceParameters)
 at
Microsoft.Exchange.Management.Tasks.StartSetupService.InternalProc
essRecord()
at Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.Task.b__c()
at
Microsoft.Exchange.Configuration.Tasks.Task.InvokeRetryableFunc(Stri
ng funcName, Action func, Boolean terminatePipelineIfFailed)”.

Reply

Prashanth Kondeti
June 23, 2017 at 8:25 pm

Hi, Thanks for the post. I have followed the same procedure posted,
everything was going smoothly. But, unfortunately someone
switched off my Machine where I have installed Virtual Box and
running both AD and Exchange installation. Was in the process of
Roles (5/14). When i started the setup again I am getting the below
error.
_____
Error:
The following error was generated when “$error.Clear();
$roleList = $RoleRoles.Replace(‘Role’,”).Split(‘,’);

if($roleList -contains ‘LanguagePacks’)

{
& $RoleBinPathServiceControl.ps1 Save
& $RoleBinPathServiceControl.ps1 DisableServices $roleList;
& $RoleBinPathServiceControl.ps1 Stop $roleList;

};
” was run:
“System.Management.Automation.MethodInvocationException:
Exception calling “Reverse” with “1” argument(s): “Value cannot be
null.
Parameter name: array” —> System.ArgumentNullException: Value
cannot be null.
Parameter name: array
at System.Array.Reverse(Array array)
at CallSite.Target(Closure , CallSite , Type , Object )
— End of inner exception stack trace —
at
System.Management.Automation.ExceptionHandlingOps.ConvertToM
ethodInvocationException(Exception exception, Type typeToThrow,
String methodName, Int32 numArgs, MemberInfo memberInfo)
at CallSite.Target(Closure , CallSite , Type , Object )
at System.Dynamic.UpdateDelegates.UpdateAndExecute2[T0,T1,TRet]
(CallSite site, T0 arg0, T1 arg1)
at
System.Management.Automation.Interpreter.DynamicInstruction`3.Ru
n(InterpretedFrame frame)
at
System.Management.Automation.Interpreter.EnterTryCatchFinallyInstr
uction.Run(InterpretedFrame frame)”.

_____

Could you please help.

Thank You,
Prashanth
 Reply

Yery
October 16, 2018 at 2:53 am

someone have any coments about this issues. I have the same
error.

Tks

Reply

sdcrutch
February 1, 2017 at 11:27 pm

I am receiving an error HTTP 500 the website cannot display page

 when opening Exchange Admin Center. This is my first install could
you assist?

Reply

Nur
July 20, 2018 at 8:06 pm

Reset iis and try again

Reply

Wei Pin
November 23, 2016 at 12:06 pm

Thanks for the details step, It means a lot to me

Reply

Prajwal Desai
November 23, 2016 at 3:38 pm

Thanks Wei

Reply

Wei Pin
December 4, 2016 at 4:04 pm
 Hi I am having issue HTTP 500 Internal Server Error
when logging into Exchange 2013 do you encounter
this before? I try many resolution posted by others
and still the same issue encounter.

Reply

khalid raza
October 23, 2017 at 6:07 pm

Go to IE internet Option Security >> trusted

site >> then open

Reply

Prajwal Desai
October 23, 2016 at 4:33 am
 I haven’t checked the compatibility with Server 2016. Probably it
should work well and the steps remains the same.

Reply

Hameed
October 21, 2016 at 6:44 am

Will this work on Windows 2016 Server too?

Reply

Rada
March 21, 2018 at 8:39 am

It’s working well just it don’t need this AS-HTTP-Activation.

 You will get error when trying to install this one

Reply

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Noushad
October 16, 2016 at 12:56 pm

One of the best ..Thanks for sharing this info.

Reply

Prajwal Desai
October 17, 2016 at 2:38 pm
 Thank you Noushad.

Reply

tahir
August 1, 2016 at 3:45 am

hello can you guide me how to make edge server and after make
edger server how will external user can connect to my lyn forefornt
internal users?

Reply

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