Exchange 2003 SP2 intelligent Message Filter (IMF) does not work.

I decided to write this blog, not as a gripe against Microsoft Exchange 2003 SP2 upgrade, instead as a way to find the quick links to the fix.

Here is the history. Prior to Exchange 2003 SP2, there was a plug-in that attempted to identify Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE), commonly known as SPAM. Since it was so popular, MS decided to bundle it with SP2. However, the SP2 installer DOES NOT honor the existing IMF configuration. By default about half of it is configured, but there is one setting that is poorly documented, and difficult to find, which says that a server is to "Apply Intelligent Message Filter."

This is especially bad on a Small Business Server (SBS) where the gateway and the Exchange server are one in the same. It should just do it for you.

Every time I install Exchange 2003 SP2 I end up searching around for this setting and taking up extra time to find it.

So here is how to fix it.