XADM: "Access Denied" Error Message Occurs When You Start the Exchange Server 5.5 Admininstrator Program (318492)

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you start the Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 Administrator program, you may receive the following error message:

Window Title: Microsoft Exchange Administrator
Access denied.
Microsoft Windows NT ID no: 0xc0020005

However, you can start the Exchange Server 5.5 Administrator program from other computers on the network.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the account that you are using to run the Exchange Server 5.5 Administrator program does not have at least Read permissions on the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Setup

Microsoft recommends that the Everyone group (or the Authenticated Users group) at least have Read permission on all subkeys of the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this behavior:

At a command prompt, start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
Locate, and then click the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Setup
On the Security menu, click Permission.
Grant Read permission to the account that you want to use to start the Exchange Server 5.5 Administrator program.

To prevent future problems, grant Read access to the Everyone group (or to the Authenticated Users group).

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the "Access Denied" error message when you start the Exchange Server 5.5 Administrator program, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

170472 XADM: Access Denied Error When Starting Exchange Administrator