Recalling Messages through Exchange 2003 without using the passive Outlook recall

JGillis

5 pts.

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Microsoft Exchange 2003

Microsoft Outlook

Is there a way to forcibly recall messages through Exchange 2003 without using the passive Outlook recall?

Asked: March 4, 2008 4:05 PM Last updated: March 19, 2009 5:46 PM

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Last updated: July 18, 2013 3:27 PM GMT

Michael Tidmarsh62,235 pts.
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Thanks. We'll let you know when a new response is added.

update – Yes! Here’s a how-to guide.

>No, sorry to give such a dogmatic answer but there isn’t.

>The only way is to recall through outlook and that only works if the exchange client it is sent to hasn’t read the >message– if it has they get a notification that the message has been recalled and (i think) if they accept the >recall the message gets deleted.

>If they message is sent to the outside world (meaning the Internet) there isn’t a way to recall it.

>It’s best to be careful and sure you want to send when you hit send.

>As far as I know the only way to force an email delete is the fairly unethical procedure of logging into the users >mailbox and manually deleting the message. This of course shouldn’t ever be done without written as SMTP >doesn’t include a delete from receiving users mailbox function.

There is a utility by microsoft called exmerge that will allow you to remove a message from all mailboxes in exchange. Requires you to have full exchange permissions though.

Discuss This Question: 4 Replies

Jerry Lees Mar 4, 2008 4:15 PM GMT

I've added this to my watch list, becasue I believe there isn't a way to do this--- I've looked. I'm hopeful to learn a way, but I do know teh outlook recall function is a "best effort" at best on the mail server's part, and there isn't a RFC for the SMTP protocal that I know of that covers this, most are basically "Email message = Deliver as soon as possible" in logic and thinking.

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Buddyfarr Mar 4, 2008 7:31 PM GMT

if the user trying to delete is an exchange admin then they can do a "File > Open > Other user's folder" to open the inbox of the other person and delete it without having to login as the user but as Mrdenny said this is unethical and should be preceded with a written order to do so by an executive.

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Jerry Lees Mar 5, 2008 4:14 AM GMT

The GOOD thing is that even as a Domain Administrator, by default, I don't have access to mailboxes unless I give myself access to the mailbox or it is delegated to me.

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EastCoastGuy Mar 5, 2008 2:36 PM GMT

Users need to think of sending a message the same as a fax or phone call. Just make sure you want to do it before you hit "transmit". If someone makes a dumb mistake they just need to live with it. Exchange recall should be a feature admins hide. It's useless and creates more embarrassment for users... My two cents.

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