PRB: Accessing Public Folders Via a Web Browser Causes Error

ID: Q168661

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

Accessing public folders without logging into mail via a Web browser can cause the following error to appear: 

   Unable to initialize page - 2147221233
With Microsoft Exchange Server, version 5.5, you may receive the following error: 

   Unable to render folder.
   There are no published folders.

CAUSE

The error appears because no folder shortcuts have been published for anonymous users. The error should not occur if the user is logged into a mailbox.

RESOLUTION

The following steps are necessary to set up access to public folders for anonymous users:

1. Start the Exchange Administrator program.

2. Select the site name.

3. Select Configuration from the options under the site name.

4. From the Configuration options, select Protocols.

5. Choose HTTP (Web) Site Settings from the list of protocols available.

6. A tabbed dialog appears. Select the Folder Shortcuts tab.

7. Click New. A list of public folders appears, allowing you to select the 

   folders.
8. Select the folders that are going to be published.

9. On the General tab, be sure to select the option "Allow anonymous 

   users to access the anonymous public folders."
10. Once the public folders have been selected, it is time to set up the 
   Client permissions. Select the folder and click Properties.
11. Set the Role for Anonymous to Reviewer and click OK.

Now the permissions for folders should be set so that anonymous users can access them.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

REFERENCES

For related information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q145923
   TITLE     : XADM: How to Send Mail with the "Anonymous" Sender Name

Keywords          : kberrmsg EXCHEXT 
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: March 19, 1998