XADM: Cannot view Recipients in the Global Address List (196187)

SUMMARY

When you attempt to view a list of Global Address Book names from the drop down box in the "Show Names From" section of the Address Book using either the Exchange or Outlook clients, certain objects may not appear in the list.

This list of objects can include the following:

Recipient Containers
Site Objects
Exchange Server Distribution Lists
Exchange Server Mailboxes
Public Folders

MORE INFORMATION

This behavior can occur if the Search permission has been set by the administrator in the Exchange Server Administrator program. The search control in Exchange Server 5.5 is used to limit directory access, and after being set by an administrator, the recipients in the global address list may become unavailable or do not have the same appearance as before. This can be confusing to some end users.

If the Search permissions were set in error, then removing the Search permissions in the Exchange Server Administrator program will correct the look of the global address list.

For additional information on how to check search permissions, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

182902 XADM: How To Setup Container Level Search Control

173760 XADM: User's GAL Displayed Differently Based on Search Control

Typically, Search permissions are used if you have multiple companies or departments in one Exchange Server organization, and you want to prevent these companies or departments from viewing each other's mailboxes.