How to set message size limits in Microsoft Exchange

As you probably know it is possible to set message size limits in Microsoft Exchange environment in few ways on few different levels and in this article I will try to show you how to do this.
Please note that if you configure limits on different levels, the more restrictive limit will be applied.

Global settings

To set the limits globally in Exchange 2003 go to:

1. Open Exchange System Manager -> YOUR_ORGANIZATION_NAME (Exchange) -> Global Settings
2. Right mouse click on Message Delivery -> select Properties
3. In the Message Delivery Properties window click Defaults tab -> and set up the limits you like to apply (1MB = 1024KB)
4. Press Apply button -> and then OK

Individual Mailbox limit

It is possible to set message size limits for individual mailboxes so every single mailbox can have individual limits.

To set it up:

1. Run Active Directory Users and Computers console (dsa.msc)
2. Find the user object you want to set the limit for
3. Right mouse click on the object -> select Properties -> and then go to Exchange General tab
4. Click Delivery Restrictions button
5. Set up the limits you like to apply (1MB = 1024KB)
6. Press Apply button -> and then OK

Individual Distribution Group Mailbox limit

You can set message size limits for individual distribution group mailboxes too.

To set it up:

1. Run Active Directory Users and Computers console (dsa.msc)
2. Find the distribution group object you want to set the limit for
3. Right mouse click on the object -> select Properties -> go to Exchange General tab
4. Set up the limits you like to apply (1MB = 1024KB)
5. Press Apply button -> and then OK

Connector limits

To set the limits in the Connector:

1. Open Exchange System Manager -> YOUR_ORGANIZATION_NAME (Exchange) -> Administrative Groups -> Administrative group's name -> Routing Groups -> SITE_NAME -> Connectors
2. Right mouse click on the connector object you want to set the limit on -> select Properties
3. In the Connector Properties windows go to Content Restrictions tab and set the limits in Allowed sizes area (1MB = 1024KB)
4. Press Apply button -> and then OK

Document version: 1.2

Last modified on: 1st July 2012