Summary: Microsoft PFE and guest blogger, Mike Pfeiffer, talks about Windows PowerShell and Exchange Server compatability.
Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today we have a guest blogger who we haven’t seen for a while. Mike Pfeiffer is a premier field engineer for Microsoft. Since we last had Mike as a guest blogger, he has published a new book: Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 PowerShell Cookbook: Second Edition. Take it away Mike…
As you know, the version of the Windows Management Framework (WMF) that is installed on your server determines which versions of Windows PowerShell you can use. One of the most common questions I’ve been asked since the release of WMF 3.0 is whether it can be used with Exchange Server 2013 and Exchange Server 2010. Now that WMF 4.0 has been released, I’m sure there will be even more questions, so let’s make sure we’re all on the same page.
Exchange Server 2013
The current version of Exchange Server actually requires WMF 3.0, but supports nothing earlier, and nothing later. This has been the case from RTM, to Cumulative Update (CU) 1, and currently with CU 2. Ideally, you’ll run Exchange Server 2013 on Windows Server 2012, which includes WMF 3.0 by default. You also have the option of running Exchange Server 2013 on Windows Server 2008 R2 with WMF 3.0 installed. Support for WMF 4.0 will come for Exchange Server 2013 in a later update.
Exchange Server 2010
Service Pack 3 for Exchange Server 2010 added support for installations on Windows Server 2012. Of course, this version of Windows Server includes WMF 3.0. However, Exchange Server 2010 SP3 installed on Windows Server 2012 only utilizes Windows PowerShell 2.0. Keep in mind that Exchange Server 2010 SP3 has been verified as compatible only with WMF 3.0 on Windows Server 2012 installations. There has been no testing with ExchangeServer 2010 SP3 and WMF 3.0 installed on Windows Server 2008 R2.
Hopefully this clears things up a bit. Things are moving fast these days, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. Make sure you watch the Exchange team blog for updates. In addition to Exchange, there are other products that are not compatible with WMF 4.0 and WMF 3.0. Take a look at these posts on the Windows PowerShell team blog for full details:
- Windows Management Framework 4.0 is now available
- Windows Management Framework 3.0 Compatibility Update
Thank you, Mike, for sharing your time and knowledge.
I invite you to follow me on Twitter and Facebook. If you have any questions, send email to me at scripter@microsoft.com, or post your questions on the Official Scripting Guys Forum. See you tomorrow. Until then, peace.
Ed Wilson, Microsoft Scripting Guy