1.3 Overview

  • Article

A folder is the basic unit of organization for messaging objects in a message store. A folder is represented in the message store by a Folder object. This protocol enables a client to create folders and to manipulate existing folders and their contents by using remote operations (ROPs). A client can also modify the permissions on a folder. For information about folder permissions, see [MS-OXCPERM].

Folders are arranged hierarchically. Each folder has properties associated with it. When a folder is opened, the Folder object that is returned by a ROP can then be used in subsequent ROP requests. The ROPs for a Folder object are described in section 2.2.1. The properties of a Folder object are described in section 2.2.2.

The following are the three types of folders:

  • Root folder. Every message store has a Root folder. The Root folder appears at the top of the folder hierarchy and can contain messages and other folders. The Root folder cannot be moved, copied, renamed, or deleted. There is only one Root folder for each message store.

  • Generic folder. Like a Root folder, a generic folder can contain messages and other folders. Unlike a Root folder, a generic folder can be moved, copied, renamed, and deleted. A generic folder can be created within either the Root folder or another generic folder. The folder in which a folder is created is referred to as the parent folder of the new folder. Generic folders that have the same parent are called sibling folders.

  • Search folder. A search folder contains a list of references to messages. The list is compiled by the server according to a set of criteria. Therefore, a search folder cannot contain any real objects. Any operation on a message that is referenced in a search folder is performed on the message in the folder that actually contains the message. For more information about search folders, see [MS-OXOSRCH].