I am cautious because configuring an autoreply for a mail enabled public folder is a fairly easy process using the folder assistant settings within your Outlook client, but this feature can cause email loops. Once the public folder is setup a common request that I have seen is “Can we set an auto-response for each message that it receives?” After cringing for a bit, I usually respond with a cautious “yes, but…” Often times when mail-enabled public folders are used for receiving requests for a department or group. Once the public folder is mail-enabled you can modify mail settings such as Alias, email addresses and even configure Send as permissions. Some organizations use mail-enabled Public folders as a common place to receive faxes, or external email messages similar to a Shared Mailbox.
Mail-enabling a public folder is an easy step to complete that allows users to post email items simply by using an email address to send an email to the folder. A common feature of Public Folders that is used quite often is mail-enabling the public folder to receive emails.
Most Exchange administrators are working towards moving off of public folders for their Exchange environment, but there are some enterprises that still use them. Exchange administrators have a love hate relationship with public folders.