Exchange public folders are exactly what they sounds like – folders that are available to multiple users. A mailbox is a storage area made up of a number of folders that is normally designed for use by a single user. It contains a number of features such as Inbox, Calendar, Contacts, etc.

Additonally. . .

• Public folders can be replicated to all Exchange servers in the organization
• Public folders cannot be housed in the same database as Mailboxes
• Items that are deleted from Public Folders do NOT go through the “deleted items” folder