Recently, Windows Update began offering the Windows Management Framework 3.0 as an Optional update. This includes all forms of update distribution, such as Microsoft Update, WSUS, System Center Configuration Manager and other mechanisms. The key bit here is that the Windows Management Framework 3.0 includes PowerShell 3.0.
Windows Management Framework 3.0 is being distributed as KB2506146 and KB2506143 (which one is offered depends on which server version you are running - 2008 Sp2 or 2008 R2 Sp1).
What does that mean to you?
Windows Management Framework 3.0 (specifically PowerShell 3.0) is not yet supported on any version of Exchange except Exchange Server 2013 (which requires it). If you install Windows Management Framework 3.0 on a server running Exchange 2007 or Exchange 2010, you will encounter problems, such as Rollups that will not install, or the Exchange Management Shell may not run properly.
We have seen rollups not installing with the following symptoms:
- If rollup is installed through Microsoft Update, the installation might error with error code of 80070643
- If rollup is installed from a download, the error displayed is “Setup ended prematurely because of an error."
- In both cases, event log might show the error with an error code of “1603”
Our guidance at this time is that Windows Management Framework 3.0 should not be deployed on servers running Exchange 2007 or Exchange 2010, or on workstations with the Exchange Management Tools for either version installed. If you have already deployed this update, it should be removed. Once the update is removed, functionality should be restored.