It's not required for SMTP archiving but it is highly recommended becasue it is requirement for PST export. Chances are some sort of the PST export will be perform by Admin or by end users via webapp.
I vote, "It is OK to delete the empty folder". I don't recall it deleted immediately, but it should delete the empty folder automatically since ev8 Sp5 or so I think.
I don't think it display that info for pending item. Check if one of the pending item in search.asp or in saveset table using "IDTransaction 804F9CDE-78A5-255D-B742-469A3970F071". Most likely, you have a post processing issue. Check out usage.asp or ...
So, user is NOT hidden from GAL? Are you saying you are not seeing ANY of the mailboxes or just the problem mailbox wizard/task? Is archiving working?
I would check the DB records mentioned above (MbxArchivingState, MbxExchangeState) and post ba...
You can simply use the disable mailbox options to confirm your thought. If user is still hidden from GAL then check "MbxExchangeState" is set to 0 in ExchangeMailboEntry table.
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH47252
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