Remove Exchange 55 Server

Many a times an organization may need to remove the last exchange 5.5 server from production environment, for upgrading into a later version like Exchange 2003, or to create a test environment. This is why it is often asked 'How to remove the last exchange 5.5 server'? The reason being,removal of exchange 5.5 server requires a methodical step-by-step approach, which is much more complicated than a simple uninstallation. Because removal will require certain prerequisites and precautions to be taken, and also the actual steps need to be executed with due order and accuracy to ensure a smooth migration to a later version or a streamlined production environment after the removal.
Before the actual removal begins, there are some prerequisites and preparatory steps that need to be executed. The exchange server installed in a site normally contains site folders like offline address book folder, organizational form folder etc. These folders need to be taken care of before the actual removal process begins.
Another preparatory step before removal of Exchange 5.5 is to ensure that all mail connectors are verified for mail flow and subsequently removed. Also, the permission given to the account being used for this removal process needs to be that of the Administrator on the site.
After these preparatory steps are done, the actual removal process begins. The very first step is remove the program. This is done by running Setup.exe from Exchange Server 5.5 CD, and then by clicking Add/Remove on the Microsoft Exchange Server Setup page. After the checkbox for Microsoft Exchange Server needs to be cleared.
The second step in the removal process is to connect to another server within the same site. This can be done using Exchange 5.5 Administrator program. This task may require reinstalling the administrator console using the Microsoft Exchange 5.5 CD. Once connection has been established to another server withing the site, the server that needs to be removed is selected and deleted from Menu->Edit-> Delete option.
There is an important post-removal step that needs to be performed to ensure a smooth production environment. That is to verify that the directory replication is completed and active directory connector clean-up has taken place. This is why a simple uninstallation does not suffice in an organization-wide environment and a more methodical removal process is required.