Two for tea, and tea for 2007?

Those following my twitter feed (http://www.twitter.com/talonnyc) already know I’m in an Exchange 2010 training this week at New Horizons here in NYC.  During the class, someone had asked if you could run both the Exchange 2007 and 2010 admin tools on the same system, and our trainer (though extremely well versed on just about any other topic we threw at him) wasn’t sure on that one.  Luckily, the twitterverse came to the rescue and Henrik Walther the Editor of MSExchange.org sent over an article that went through the details on this, and many other topics on Exchange 2010 management.  The article found here is definitely worth the read, but since it covers several other topics, here’s the skinny on multiple client tools installs:

2003 Tools: Cannot be installed on the same system as 2007 or 2010.

2007: x86 tools can’t be installed with the 2010 tools, but the 64-bit versions can co-exist

2010: Only available in 64-bit versions, and can co-exist with the x64 versions of the 2007 tools

To use both the 2007 and 2010 tools, install all pre-requisites for the 2010 versions.  This includes PowerShell 2 and the .NET 3.5 (go with 3.5.1) Framework package, along with others.  Consult the install guides at MSExchange.org for more in-depth details on what you need to have on your workstation ahead of time.  The Exchange 2007 tools are compatible with these upgraded pre-requisites, and so can either be left in place (if already installed) or installed first.  Then install your Exchange 2010 tools and you are on your way.

Always remember to use the Exchange 2010 tools whenever possible.  Certain configuration specific to Exchange 2010 (Like Moderation rules) will be ignored by the earlier tool kit, even though it will let you do many operations with either version.  This could lead to you accidentally ignoring a vital configuration or management step along the way.

Thanks to Mr.. Walther for the excellent information!