When you first install Exchange Server 2003, you have a default Public Folders store that is connected to a default Public Folder hierarchy. However, you might want to create your own separate Public Folder Tree for certain uses, such as a store for Internet newsgroups or for company specific tasks. 

Creating a new Public Folder Tree requires three steps:

Creating a new public folder tree

1. Start the Exchange System Manager.

2. Go to the Folders branch.

3. Right-click the Folders, and select New, Public Folder Tree.

4. Enter a name for the public folder root (e.g., New PF Tree).

5. Click OK.

Creating the new public folder store

1. Start the Exchange System Manager.

2. Expand the Servers, Server name, First Storage Group.

3. Right-click the First Storage Group (or another storage group if you have one) and select New, Public Store.

4. On the General tab, enter a name. This name should match the public folder root, so, in our example you'd enter New PF Store. Under "Associate public folder tree," click Browse, and select the folder you created.

5. Click OK.

6. On the Database tab, the system creates default names based on the name you entered, so you can leave these. All other tabs are optional.

7. Click OK.

8. The system will display a dialog box to confirm the creation and ask whether you want to mount the new store (mounting makes it usable).

9. Click Yes.

10. Click OK to the mount confirmation.

Connecting the Public Folder Tree to the Public Folder Store

1. Start the Exchange System Manager.

2. Go to the Folders branch.

3. Right-click the root folder branch you created.

4. Select Connect To from the context menu (if this option isn't available, stop and restart the MMC Exchange System Manager snap-in).

5. From the displayed list, select the Public store required and click OK.

You now have a usable new public folder store but remember it can only be accesses via a Web Browser or EXIFS.