How to Setup a New Exchange 2019 Server?

Microsoft Exchange 2019 is the latest version of Exchange Server. It is a much faster and more reliable on-premises Exchange Server version capable of running and utilizing up to 48 processor cores and 256 GB memory. As a result, it can handle more users without any hiccups.

Steps to Deploy and Setup Microsoft Exchange Server 2019

Follow these steps in the given order to install and set up Exchange 2019 Server from scratch.

Step 1: Install Windows Server 2019

Exchange 2019 requires Windows Server 2019 with ‘Desktop Experience’ or ‘Server Core.’ The latter is preferred and recommended by Microsoft as it is considered more secure. However, it requires expert technical skills to operate or administer the server.

Download the preferred Windows Server 2019 edition and install it on a virtual or physical machine where you want to deploy the Exchange Server.

After Windows Server 2019 installation, check the Windows Update section and install all OS updates.

Step 2: Install Prerequisites for Microsoft Exchange 2019 Mailbox Server

Before installing Microsoft Exchange Server on Windows Server 2019, you need to prepare the system by installing the following prerequisites.

• Install .NET Framework 4.8

Download the .NET 4.8 and install it on Windows Server 2019. Make sure to run and install the .NET software package as an administrator.

After the installation, click ‘Restart Now’ to reboot the system.

• Install Visual C++ Redistributable Package

Download and install the Visual C++ Redistributable Package for Visual Studio 2012 and Visual Studio 2013 as administrator on the Windows Server 2019.

• Install IIS Rewrite Module
• Install Server Media Foundation

To install the Server Media Foundation feature, run the following command in the elevated PowerShell window.

Install-WindowsFeature Server-Media-Foundation

• Install Unified Communications Managed API 4.0
• Install the Remote Server Administration Toolkit and other required components via elevated PowerShell using the below command.

Install-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-45-Features, RSAT-ADDS, 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

Step 3: Install Exchange 2019 Server

To install Exchange Server 2019, download the latest Exchange Server 2019 CU and then right-click on the downloaded ISO file and choose Mount.

Open the Command Prompt and use the cd command to navigate to the ISO mount location where Exchange Setup.exe is located.

Then run the below command in Command Prompt window to prepare the Schema and the Active Directory.

Replace Contoso with your organization’s name.

After preparing the Active Directory and Schema for Exchange 2019, you can start the installation by running the Setup.exe file as administrator.

Click ‘next’. Accept the license agreement and click ‘next.’

Choose ‘Recommended settings’ and click ‘next.’

Choose Mailbox Role and check ‘Automatically install Windows Server roles and features required to install Exchange Server.’ Then click ‘next’.

Select the location where you want to install the Exchange Server and click ‘next.’ Prefer location other than the system drive.

Enter your organization’s name and click ‘next.’

Select No in On the Malware protection setting as you do not need it for now and can enable it later.

Click Install.

After the installation, check if any security updates are available for the installed CU. Install them to patch the Exchange Server and protect against malicious attacks.

Setup Outlook Anywhere

To set up Outlook Anywhere, login to Exchange Admin Center (EAC) and click ‘servers.’

Select the Exchange 2019 Server from the list and click the edit (pen) icon.

Select ‘Outlook Anywhere,’ enter the internal and external FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) and click ‘Save’.

Setup the Service Connection Point (SCP)

To set up the Service Connection Point (SCP), run the following PowerShell cmdlet in the Exchange Management Shell (EMS).

Set-ClientAccessService –Identity NameOfExchange2019Server –AutoDiscoverServiceInternalUri https://mail.YourDomainName.com/Autodiscover/Autodiscover.xml

This will start to point the users to this server.

Import the Certificates into Exchange 2019

To import the certificates into Exchange 2019 Server, you can use the PowerShell cmdlets or Exchange Admin Center (EAC). Below are the steps to import certificates into Exchange 2019.

Purchase and download the certificate from certifying authority. You can get one from hosting and domain service providers, such as GoDaddy.

Copy the certificate to a UNC folder path location on the Exchange 2019 Server and open the EAC.

Go to servers > certificate and click on the three dots (…) icon.

Choose ‘Import Exchange Certificate.’

Enter the UNC path location where the certificate is located with the certificate file name and enter the password. Click Next.

Choose the server from the list where you want to import the certificate and click ‘finish.’

You can now assign the certificate to the IMAP, POP, SMTP, and IIS services by following these steps:

• Choose the imported certificate and click the ‘Edit button.
• Select ‘services’ and click the POP, IMAP, IIS, and SMTP checkboxes.

• Click ‘Save’.

Configure Virtual Directories

The next step is to configure virtual directories. Again, you can use PowerShell cmdlets or EAC to modify or view Exchange 2019 Server virtual directories. The steps are as follows:

• In EAC, go to server > virtual directories.
• Double-click on OWA.
• Type the FQDN in Internal URL and External URL sections.

• Repeat the steps and update the Internal and External URL fields for OAB, ECP, ActiveSync, WebServices, and MAPI.

Follow these steps to recycle the Application Pool for MSExchangeAutodiscoverAppPool to ensure the changes made take effect immediately.

• Open IIS and expand the Exchange 2019 Server.
• Under Application Pools, find the MSExchangeAutodiscoverAppPool.

• Under the Actions pane, click on Recycle.

At this stage, the Exchange 2019 Server is successfully deployed and ready for use. Further, you can setup Email Address Policy.

To Wrap Up

This article explains the process for deploying and setting up Exchange 2019 Server on Windows Server 2019. After setting up the server, you can create and add new mailboxes to allow users to log in and start using email services. If you already have a backup, you can restore the mailboxes from there. However, if you have EDB files containing user mailboxes from your old server, you can use an EDB to PST converter software, such as Stellar Converter for EDB. The software can extract mailboxes from offline EDB and export them directly to Office 365 or live Exchange Server, such as the newly set up Exchange 2019. The software is available for free download for evaluation purposes.

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About The Author

Ravi Singh

Senior Writer at Stellar®. He is an expert Tech Explainer.