Released: Exchange Server 2010 SP3
Published Feb 12 2013 02:00 PM 92.3K Views

Earlier last year, we announced that Exchange 2010 Service Pack 3 would be coming in the first half of 2013. Later, we updated the timeframe to Q1 2013. Today, we're pleased to announce the availability of Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 3, which is ready to download.

Service Pack 3 is a fully slipstreamed version of Exchange 2010. The following new features and capabilities are included within SP3:

  • Coexistence with Exchange 2013:Customers who want to introduce Exchange Server 2013 into their existing Exchange 2010 infrastructure will need the coexistence changes shipping in SP3.

    NOTE: Exchange 2010 SP3 allows Exchange 2010 servers to coexist with Exchange 2013 CU1, which is also scheduled to be released in Q1 2013. Customers can test and validate this update in a representative lab environment prior to rolling out in their production environments as an important coexistence preparatory step before introducing Exchange Server 2013 CU1.

  • Support for Windows Server 2012: With SP3, you can install and deploy Exchange Server 2010 on computers that are running Windows Server 2012.
  • Support for Internet Explorer 10: With SP3, you can use IE10 to connect to Exchange 2010.
  • Customer Requested Fixes: All fixes contained within update rollups released before SP3 will also be contained within SP3. Details of our regular Exchange 2010 release rhythm can be found in Exchange 2010 Servicing.

In addition to the customer reported issues resolved in previous rollups, this service pack also resolves the issues that are described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) articles:

Note: Some of the following KB articles may not be available at the time of publishing this post.

2552121 You cannot synchronize a mailbox by using an Exchange ActiveSync device in an Exchange Server 2010 environment

2729444 Mailboxes are quarantined after you install the Exchange Server 2010 SP2 version of the Exchange Server 2010 Management Pack

2778100 Long delay in receiving email messages by using Outlook in an Exchange Server 2010 environment

2779351 SCOM alert when the Test-PowerShellConnectivity cmdlet is executed in an Exchange Server 2010 organization

2784569 Slow performance when you search a GAL by using an EAS device in an Exchange Server 2010 environment

2796950 Microsoft.Exchange.Monitoring.exe process consumes excessive CPU resources when a SCOM server monitors Exchange Server 2010 Client Access servers

2800133 W3wp.exe process consumes excessive CPU and memory resources on an Exchange Client Access server after you apply Update Rollup 5 version 2 for Exchange Server 2010 SP2

2800346 Outlook freezes and high network load occurs when you apply retention policies to a mailbox in a mixed Exchange Server 2010 SP2 environment

2810617 Can't install Exchange Server 2010 SP3 when you define a Windows PowerShell script execution policy in Group Policy

2787500 Declined meeting request is added back to your calendar after a delegate opens the request by using Outlook 2010

2797529 Email message delivery is delayed on a Blackberry mobile device after you install Update Rollup 4 for Exchange Server 2010 SP2

2800080 ErrorServerBusy response code when you synchronize an EWS-based application to a mailbox in an Exchange Server 2010 environment

For more details, see Description of Exchange Server 2010 SP3.

Exchange 2010 SP3 FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

  • Q. Does Exchange 2010 SP3 include the fixes in Exchange 2010 SP2 RU6?
    A. Yes. Service Packs are cumulative - they include all fixes included in previous RUs and service packs. Although Exchange 2010 SP2 RU6 was released on the same day as Exchange 2010 SP3, fixes in RU6 are included in SP3.

  • Q. Does Exchange 2010 SP3 include the security fix mentioned in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS13-012?
    Yes, fix for the vulneraiblity in MS13-012 is included in Exchange 2010 SP2 RU6, and (as stated above) fixes from SP2 RU6 are inclued in SP3. We recommend reviewing the related security bulletin before applying an update that contains security fixes.

  • Q. Why release RU6 for SP2 at all if all fixes are included in SP3?
    Exchange 2010 SP2 is a supported service pack (see Exchange Server Support Lifecycle). Customers typically deploy update rollups quickly but take longer to deploy service packs.

  • Q. Is Exchange 2010 SP3 compatible with WMF 3.0/PowerShell 3.0?
    A. Exchange team has validated and supports Exchange 2010 SP3 running on Windows Server 2012, which comes with PS 3.0 by default. Please note that even when running on Windows Server 2012, Exchange 2010 SP3 will still use only PowerShell 2.0 functionality. Exchange team has not validated Exchange 2010 SP3 running on earlier server OSes (2008, 2008 R2) with WMF3 / PS3 installed, and we therefore do not recommend that configuration.

  • Q. Does Exchange 2010 SP3 require an Active Directory schema update?
    A. Yes, as mentioned in Exchange 2010 SP3 Release Notes, an Active Directory schema is required.

  • Q. Can I install Exchange 2013 RTM in my Exchange 2010 organization after upgrading to Exchange 2010 SP3?
    A. As mentioned in the post, coexistence of Exchange 2013 in an Exchange 2010 SP3 org requires Exchange 2013 CU1, also scheduled for release in this quarter (Q1 2013).

  • Q. It's great that Exchange 2010 SP3 is supported on Windows Server 2012! Can I upgrade the OS my Exchange Server's running on from Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 to Windows Server 2012 after installing SP3?
    A. No. Upgrading the operating system after Exchange Server installation is not supported. You would have to uninstall Exchange, upgrade the OS, then reinstall Exchange. Or install Exchange 2010 SP3 on a fresh Windows 2012 install.

  • Q. Is MRM 1.0 supported on Exchange 2010 SP3?
    A. Yes, MRM 1.0 (Managed Folders) is a supported feature in Exchange 2010. We replaced MRM 1.0 management support in EMC with MRM 2.0 (Retention tags) in Exchange 2010 SP1. You can still use the Shell to manage MRM 1.0.

  • Q. Will I be able to restore and mount database backups created before a server is upgraded to SP3?
    A. Yes. When you restore and mount the database, it will be updated.

  • Q. Does Exchange 2010 SP3 add support for Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS) in Cryptographic Mode 2?
    A. Yes, Information Rights Management (IRM) features in Exchange 2010 SP3 support AD RMS running in Cryptographic Mode 2.

  • Q. Is Exchange 2010 SP3 supported with <My great third-party Exchange add-on/tool>?
    A. Please contact the partner / third-party software vendor for this info. We recommend testing in a representative non-production environment before you deploy in production.

Exchange Team

125 Comments
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How about some hosting guidance for 2013 now that we have a transition path?

technet.microsoft.com/.../jj720331.aspx

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Just to confirm, is there a schema update with this SP?

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That's good news -- released a bit earlier than I expected!

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Thanks guys, great job!

@Nfields03, yes there are Schema updates, more info in the Release Notes:

technet.microsoft.com/.../jj965774(v=exchg.141).aspx

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Let the flood gates open for coexistence/migrations!

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Finally! Excellent work! We been waiting for you :)

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Aww, Support for WMF 3.0 / Powershell 3.0 didn't make the short list of new features.

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Good to have some preparation time before Exchange 2013-CU1 comes out.

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All fixes contained within update rollups released before SP3 ...

As RU6 for Ex2010 SP2 is announced after SP3 are the fixes in RU6 included in SP3?

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Just to be clear.. We do NOT have to wait for 2013 CU1 to start transitioning to 2013, correct?

Thanks for the update.

Chris

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@ Christopher Meehan: Yes, you DO need to wait for E2013 CU1 to coexist with Exchange 2013 in production.

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Half good news until Exchange 2013 CU1 is released :)

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In a DAG how does the database schema get updated? Does it happen automagically when the non SP3 database becomes active on the SP3 server or is there some other magic. I didn't see anything stating the upgrade process for a DAG member.

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I guess I should re-phrase. The planning/testing can begin for migrations/coexistance; since 2013 CU1 is still required for prod environments.

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@Paul, from release notes (technet.microsoft.com/.../jj965774(v=exchg.141).aspx:(

A database availability group (DAG) member that’s running an older version of Exchange 2010 can move its active databases to a DAG member running a newer version of Exchange 2010, but can’t do the reverse. After a DAG member has been upgraded to a newer

Exchange 2010 service pack, its active database copies can't be moved to another DAG member that’s running Exchange 2010 RTM or to a service pack that's older than the service pack installed on the DAG member.

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@ Karsten: SP3 is not include SP2 RU6. see blow link.

TITLE: Issues That Are Fixed in Exchange 2010 SP3

URL:

technet.microsoft.com/.../jj916234(v=exchg.141).aspx

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So coexistence is STILL onhold until cu1... did you want to sell Exchange 2013?

I have to confess I'm baffled by this product in the last few months after being a staunch Exchange champion for years.  

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Unbelievable. First we have to wait for SP3 to have coexistence, now SP3 has finally arrived and we have to wait for CU1 again... Perfect way to plan things Microsoft!

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Is Windows Management Framework 3.0 and Powershell 3 compatible with Exchange 2010 SP3 or should we hold off with those still?

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@ Casey - it will be soon Casey. As described in the article until CU1 for 2013 is out, you don't have a path. Keep an eye out later this week for a related post you might find interesting (as someone doing hosting/multi-tenancy).

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Congrats on shipping this and the latest set of roll-ups! You'll forgive me If I wait a while to see if any version 2s appear though ;)

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@Hiroki @Karsten: Service Packs are cumulative and include all fixes from previous RUs. Exchange 2010 SP3 does include all fixes included in Exchange 2010 SP2 RU6.

@Hiroki:

Issues That Are Fixed in Exchange 2010 SP3 will be updated to include RU6.

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You guys continue to boggle the mind.  Shifting the target again eh?  What is the point of releasing 2010 sp3 today if 2013 cu1 is not available?  Is it so the public can QA it for you and we can get sp3-v2 in time for CU1?  Oy vey.

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Oh, just wondering if the MS Forefront Protection 2010 for Exchange has any known issues with the SP3? As after updating the Exchange, my Forefront console tells me "The MS Information Store is running but the Forefront VSAPI Library is not registered."

So far e-mails appear to be working, though not sure if the Forefront is doing its part. Just wondering if I was supposed to disable Forefront before the update and re enable it after even though that was fixed for the last rollup updates.

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Did you know that Exchange 2013 CU1 requires Exchange 2010 SP3v2 for coexistence?

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Once we install E2k10 sp3, can we then install the Windows Mgmnt FrkmWrk 3.0 which includes Powershell 3.0 on our Windows 2008 R2 Exchange Servers (and also Win7 PCs than run the Exchange Mgmnt Consoles ) ?

Thanks

Mark.

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@vedru, @Jon, @MarkLH69: No. #MSExchange 2010 SP3 does not support .NET 4.5 & therefore WMF 3/ #PowerShell 3. See WMF 3 download page aka.ms/wmf3. On Windows 2012, you can have .Net 4.5+WMF3+PowerShell 3 installed, but Exchange 2010 will require and use PS2.

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What about Win7 with the Exchange Mgmnt Console on it ?

Currently I cannot install the SCVMM 2012 sp1 console on my Win7 laptop without PowerShell 3.0

Will installing Win Mgmnt Frmwrk and PowerShell 3.0 on my laptop for SCVMM stop my Excchange 2010 Mgmnt Console from working ? even with the sp3 update ?

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I agree with pesos.

<cynical>So what's next, 2013 CU1 will require RU1 for SP3 to co-exist?</cynical>

Why did you guys even bother releasing the RTM version in the first place and waste our time and bandwidth downloading 3.5 GB of useless bits.

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Where can I find details of the Exchange 2010 SP3 Active Directory Schema Changes? The link supplied in the release notes currently only covers up to SP2  -

msdn.microsoft.com/.../dd877014(EXCHG.140).aspx

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Thanks for clarifying 2013 CU1 and coexistance with 2010, but how about migrations?

Is that possible given this release?

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@Gerard: Because not everyone is migrating to Exchange 2013.

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Any news about Coexistence with Exchange 2007 ?

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From release notes:

You can install Exchange 2010 SP3 only on computers that are running the Windows Server 2008 operating system with Service Pack 2 (SP2) and the Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system.

I assume this is an error ?

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Hi!

So this means that we can start deploying Server 2012 domain controllers and prepare to full migration to Exchange 2013 when CU1 is out?

Regards,

Greg

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During Upgrade process when it comes to 'Restoring Services', all services will be set to disabled and the upgrade process terminates, due to the fact that all services are disabled and can't be started during the next steps. Even setting them to manual or automatic, they will be set back to disabled after a few minutes.

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Could you update the Exchange Server Supportability Matrix?

technet.microsoft.com/.../ff728623(v=exchg.141).aspx

There are a few gaps in that:

* Several tables don't mention Exchange 2013 (AD/domain/web browser/Clients/Tools/.NET Framework/PowerShell/MMC/Installer).

* The Clients table doesn't mention Outlook 2013.

* Several tables don't mention Exchange 2010 SP3 (Tools/Powershell/MMC/Installer).

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When will the new CDO/Mapi tools be released?

Thanks

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When Exchange 2013 CU1 is released and co-existence is officially supported, will 2010 SP3 be required on all Exchange 2010 servers?  We have a very unusual co-managed environment with subdomains. I need to know if I'll need to coordinate with all the subdomain admins to get everyone up to SP3 before I can deploy Exchange 2013 in the root domain.

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...and here I was like everyone else complaining about E2013 CU1 not being available.  I was planning on installing SP3 immediately into production (with no testing), as well as deploying 2013 into production...all at the same time.  What boggles the mind is not the release schedule from MS, but the lack of testing people seem to do before wanting to blast it into production.  I guess those are the same that then complain something broke since "MS doesn't test anything".  Personal responsibility?  Bah.  It's MS's fault.

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So -- i'm confused...

Is RU6 for SP2 slipstreamed into SP3, or are they seperate updates?

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"...2010 SP3 brings update to AD & database schema. As a result, when mailbox servers are upgraded to Exchange 2010 SP3, the databases are upgraded to the SP3 version of the database schema. After a database has been updated to the SP3 schema, it can’t be mounted on a pre-SP3 mailbox server..."

What if i need to restore pre-sp3 backup of my database?  Can i mount pre-SP database on a SP3 updated server?

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@ Bharat Suneja [MSFT], when will Exchange 2010 be compatible with WMF 3.0. If the CU1 for Exchange 2013 will address the interoperability issues between 2010 and 2013 it seems to be a bad decision on the Exchange Team's part to then require two different versions of PS to manage an Exchange environment

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Hi all,

I was excited when I heard that SP3 for Exchange 2010 has been released. However, I am hitting a road block. I am aiming to use Exchange 2010 SP3 as an Edge in my DMZ on Server 2012. I was under the impression from Exchange blog that 2010 Edge will work

on Server 2012 with Ex2k10 SP3 release.

Per

technet.microsoft.com/.../jj965774(v=exchg.141).aspx

You can install Exchange 2010 SP3 only on computers that are running the Windows Server 2008 operating system with Service Pack 2 (SP2) and the Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system.

However, on the blog post from Exchange team yesterday:

blogs.technet.com/.../released-exchange-server-2010-sp3.aspx

Support for Windows Server 2012: With SP3, you can install and deploy Exchange Server 2010 on computers that are running Windows Server 2012.

There is a varying difference of information here.

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Is MRM 1.0 still supported in SP3?

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@neconnn - yes you can restore the pre SP3 backup; however during the mounting of the database on the SP3 server, we will upgrade the schema of the restored database. It should be seamless however be aware of it as then you cannot take this database and mount it on an non SP3 server.

@pesos, @gerard, @whybothertesting - while I understand where you are coming from, it is assumed that - SP3, being a large update, will take some time to test and deploy in production environments on it's own, whether it provides E2013 coexistence or not. As another commented mentions - not everyone needs to coexistence piece anyway. CU1 is needed and we hear that, and will deliver it soon.

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@Chris Branca - thank you for catching that, I have reported an error in release notes!

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@DejanR - we did not take away features in SP3. :)

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@Jakke - assuming that you mean "coexistence of Exchange 2007 and Exchange 2013" - please see this: blogs.technet.com/.../released-update-rollup-6-for-exchange-server-2010-sp2-and-exchange-2007-sp3-ru...

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Let-me understand it correctly:

In a existing Windows Server 2008R2 with Exchange 2010 SP2 Scenario we can deploy Exchange 2010 SP3 in upgrade mode, then upgrade Windows Server 2008R2 to Windows 2012 Server, and then finally raise forrest functional level to Windows Server 2012?

That's the way?

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