How to Manually Uninstall Exchange 2010 : Step by Step

We have seen some worst cases where uninstallation of Exchange Server was the only step to make it accessible again. Depending upon the types of damages on server, it is hard to say every uninstallation process works in each scenario. 

So today we’re sharing the number of different ways to completely remove and uninstall Exchange Server 2010 from severe disk corruption or something else. 

But before trying to manually uninstallation, attempt to remove by easy method. Simply open Control Panel, click Uninstall a program, select Microsoft Exchange 2010 from the list, and click Uninstall.

Check network before uninstallation of Exchange 2010

This is very first thing you need to do before uninstalling Exchange. Verify that DNS (Domain Name System) server has a host record for Exchange Server and host record points to correct IP address. Because we have seen in most cases where majority of issues are correlated with AD (Active Directory) when we try to uninstall Exchange. So Exchange server would not uninstall if server is having communication issue with Active Directory. Once you verified the Domain Name System, check that basic network connectivity is functioning appropriately.

Rebuilt server before uninstallation

One cannot just format Exchange Server because all the configuration information is kept on Active Directory (AD). So before uninstall Exchange server, use the information stored in Active Directory to return Exchange server to function state. Check the following steps:

1. Run service pack Exchange installation CD/DVD, and run Setup /M:RecoverServer command.

2. Now format the server and install same Windows with same edition & service pack which you had installed earlier.

3. Open Active Directory Users and Computers console, Select computer account and right click to choose Reset Account. But don’t delete computer account.

4. Now enter server original name and IP address and join the domain. Again use Exchange 2010 installation disk and deploy Exchange server. However, you can also run Setup /M:RecoverServer command.

Now you can remove Exchange from server’s Control Panel.

Uninstalling Exchange 2010 

The procedure which we have discussed above only works if AD (Active Directory) is working properly because removing Exchange using this method will not be possible if corruption exists in Active Directory. In this scenario, you should manually control Active Directory. So if you’re not able to manipulate Active Directory, avoid above method as it may cause irreparable damage to Active Directory.  

Alternately, you can use ADSIEdit. Simply enter ADSIEdit command to launch the console. Once console has open, right click on ADSIEdit and choose Connect To command. Click OK to accept the default setting and it will connect you to AD. 

Now you can remove all types of situations to a specific Exchange server depends on problem you’re facing, effectively removing that server from Active Directory.

Moreover, ADSI related solutions are accessible online so also check those fixes if having issues and need of ADSIEdit.

So whether you use ADSIEdit or any other method, your final goal is easily uninstallation of Exchange Server 2010.