How to Extract Exchange mailboxes from EDB files to PST

Microsoft Exchange server use EDB files to store and manage Multiple user’s mailboxes consisting of emails, contacts, notes etc. These EDB files are the core of Exchange Server database and are responsible for the actual working of the server. Moreover, Exchange server controls the sending and receiving of messages among users in an organization.

Therefore, any dysfunctioning in the server can cause a crucial impact on EDB files. An Exchange administrator is an advice to fix those damages and then revive the Exchange server database.

In these situations, it is apt to "Extract Exchange Mailboxes from EDB files” to prevent temporary or permanent damage to database files. This blog will focus on different causes and solutions of “how to extract damaged exchange mailboxes”

Cause of the Issue

To begin with, let's understand all possible causes of this problem.

• When Exchange Server is dismounted i.e When an Exchange Server failed to respond the generated request then the state encountered is called dead Exchange. This leads to a dismounted database and orphan EDB files which are inaccessible to the user. This unmounted issue arises when an exchange is inconsistent and there are mismatched signatures in log files.
• Virus infection, System or hardware failure in a system causes Exchange Server inconsistency.
• Exchange Server unavailability due to low internet bandwidth or improper Outlook configuration
• Exchange Server is not working as the cache is corrupted. It will cause synchronization problems and Extraction of Exchange mailboxes from EDB files become necessary.

The above-mentioned scenario make it compulsory to Extract Exchange mailboxes from EDB files in order to access damaged EDB files.

Consider Following Solutions

1. Use Eseutil and Isinteg tool to repair and recover Exchange database files.

Eseutil and Isinteg tools are an inbuilt tool of exchange server and are used when the server is not mounted. These tool help in repairing and checking the integrity of EDB files. Firstly use Eseutil tool for repairing at page level followed by Isinteg tool for fixing and maintaining integrity at the application level. Beforehand please make sure that you have a complete backup of the database.

For Eseutil:

• Open command line on your system
• Open location C:\Program Files\Exchsvr\bin folder.
• Then finally run eseutil/p command for repairing the database.

For Isinteg:

• Open command line on your system
• Open location C:\Program Files\Exchsvr\bin folder
• Then finally run isinteg – fix cmdlet for fixing the error at the application level

2. Use ExMerge Utility:

ExMerge utility is another inbuilt tool provided by Exchange server which extracts user’s emails into PST. Further, it allows merging those emails in another mailbox running on same or another server. In this way, you can export Exchange mailboxes from EDB files to PST.

Firstly you need to download the ExMerge utility from MS Exchange support page and then install it on your system.

• Open ExMerge Utility and click on “Next Button”.
• Select “extract or import option i.e a two procedure method and click on “Next button”
• Choose the option of “Extract data from an Exchange Server mailboxes” option followed by “Next Button”
• Mention the Exchange server name and click on “OK” button. Then select the “Store” from which you want to export emails
• Mark the mailboxes for exporting the files and select the “Next Button”
• The process of migration is started and the status bar is also mentioned.
• Finally, click on Finish Button to close Exchange Mailbox Merge Wizard. Extract Exchange mailboxes from EDB files process is now complete and is ready to merge with other mailboxes.

In the End

To Extract Exchange mailboxes from EDB files one can use above mentioned manual solutions to reach the goal. The user needs to be sure enough before using these inbuilt tools as they require technical assistance. An alternative solution is to use a professional tool which is specifically developed for migration of Exchange EDB files to PST. Export Exchange Edb to PST does the work for you with efficiency and integrity.