XADM: Limiting the Number of Recipients of a Message

ID: Q126497

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.5
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SUMMARY

A new registry value has been added to the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service that allows an administrator to set a limit on the number of recipients that a mail message can have.


MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

This works with Exchange Server versions 4.0 SP1, 5.0, and 5.5. To set this parameter, perform the following steps:

  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).


  2. Locate the following key in the registry:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeIS\ ParametersSystem
    NOTE: The above registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.


  3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:


    4. Value Name: Max Recipients on Submit
    Data Type: REG_DWORD
    String: A value equal to the max. recipients you wish to allow
  4. Quit Registry Editor.


This limit also applies to messages transferred into the store by the Internet Mail Service. An event 4117 is logged and the message is moved to the Archive folder. The message is not delivered and it does not send a non-delivery report. If a user attempts to send a message to more recipients than is designated by the Max Recipients on Submit parameter and the user has the new Emsmdb(32).dll, the following error message may be displayed when the user attempts to send the message:
The item could not be sent. The number of recipients on this message exceeds the upper limit configured by the administrator.
If a user attempts to send a message to more recipients than is designated by the Max Recipients on Submit parameter and the user DOES NOT have the new Emsmdb(32).dll, the following error message may be displayed when the user attempts to send the message:
The item could not be sent. The client operation failed.
Note the following when you add the above registry key:
  • You do not have to stop and restart services for this change to take effect.


  • The number you choose applies to total recipients associated with a message (To+Cc+Bcc=Total).


  • You cannot circumvent the limit by using a personal distribution list; it is evaluated for number of entries before the send.


  • Server-based distribution lists allow you to exceed the total number of recipients if you have proper permissions.


NOTE: The new Emsmdb32.dll file referenced in this article is included in Exchange Server 4.0 SP2 and all later versions of Exchange Server.

Additional query words: maximum xcln header restrict restrictions

Keywords : kbusage kbbug4.00 XADM exc4 exc5 exc55
Version : winnt:4.0,5.0,5.5
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbinfo


Last Reviewed: July 23, 1999
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