Summary: This write-up will guide you to perform Exchange EDB file conversion. Many times, users switch to different email clients like Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Office 365 cloud, etc. At that time, they need to convert the offline EDB file of the Exchange Server to desired file format. But due to the unavailability of the perfect method, many users failed to perform the conversion. But after reading this article, all users can effortlessly perform conversion of Exchange Server EDB files.
Exchange Server is a powerful application that provides email connectivity for organizations. It comprises EDB files or exchange databases containing details like emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, journals, and much more. The data is saved in three forms – pub.edb, priv.edb, and STM file extension (as per the Exchange version).
As you all know that EDB files are susceptible to corruption and once the file becomes damaged or corrupt, data becomes inaccessible. This would affect daily workflow and there are chances that users may lose the Exchange database. Therefore, users prefer to backup EDB files to other file formats.
Once the EDB file gets dismounted, this is known as an Offline EDB file. In this scenario, conversion of offline Exchange EDB file to another format is required.
More about EDB Files
The Exchange Database (EDB) file is the main file that contains user mailboxes including folders saved in the B-tree structure.
In earlier versions of Exchange, Exchange database files were a little different in architecture though their function was similar. However, it is very useful to understand the types of EDB files:
Priv.edb: This file is created to save primary mailboxes. There are multiple mailboxes in one EDB file.
Pub.edb: This .edb file holds all information in a public folder in previous versions of MS Exchange.
STM files: This file reduces EDB file size by saving attachments separate from email messages.
Primary Reasons to Convert Offline Exchange Server Database File (.edb)
- To recover data from corrupt EDB files
- Now, save storage space
- Next, backup Exchange mailboxes
- Want to move data to another place
- Reducing the chance of EDB file corruption and Jet errors
- To reduce the size of the mailbox and improve the server performance
Manual Solutions to Convert Offline Exchange Mailbox data to other formats
There is a direct free method available for Admin users to convert offline EDB data items to other formats. This method allows saving data into PST files.
- Open Exchange Admin Center and here you need to log in as an administrator
- Go to the Permission tab and then click on Admin Roles
- Go to Recipient Management under Admin Roles and hit the (+) icon
- Hit the (+) icon under the Role Group wizard under the Rules option.
- Go and pick Mailbox Import Export Role and hit the Add Hit OK.
- Under Recipient Management, See for Mailbox Import Export Role
- Go to recipients, pick mailboxes, and select mailboxes to export. Now, hit More and choose the option Export to PST file
- Browse the mailbox that you wish to convert
- Provide a destination to save the file
- After a successful conversion, hit the Finish button
- This will save Exchange mailboxes into the .pst file
Demerits of the Manual way:
- It asks for technical expertise
- To use this method, you need to have Admin rights
- You have to be very attentive while using manual solutions
- If you miss any step, this leads to data deletion and may corrupt EDB files
How to make EDB File Conversion simpler & safer?
As the manual method come with lots of hustles and involves the risk of losing data, it is obvious to get a professional and time-saving solution i.e. WholeClear EDB Converter Software. It is an easy-to-handle program to complete EDB mailbox conversion in a safe and sound manner. It has advanced functions to make the conversion process effective & smooth. No technical intelligence is needed to use this utility. Let’s have look at the benefits and features you can get with this program:
Swift and Safe Conversion: This automated solution is fully speedy and works in a safe way. This means the entire EDB mailbox data is exported in a secure environment. You won’t face any data loss at all during the migration task.
Bulk EDB files export at once: This utility can add single as well as multiple EDB files together to export into another file format. Keeping all email attributes, formatting, and database structure intact, EDB mailbox data conversion is performed by this tool.
No control over EDB file size: You don’t have to look for EDB files while using this application as it can comfortably work with massive EDB files to migrate them to different file formats.
Consider healthy & corrupt EDB files: You are free to upload any healthy, damaged, or corrupt EDB file to the software screen to convert into the required file format. This program works smoothly as a recovery tool by extracting data from corrupt & damaged EBD files.
Various Filter options: This utility contains many filters by which you can move desired data from the EDB file to the required format. This will assist users in excluding unwanted data items.
Several targets for EDB files: You will get different file formats in which you can migrate Exchange Server mailboxes such as PST, EML, MSG, HTML, VCF, etc. Also, you can migrate mailboxes from EDB files to Office 365 and Live Exchange.
Option to split output PST: This program has given you the option to manage the size of the resultant PST file. You can provide size and split your output PST file accordingly to save it from corruption.
Download for free: You can take a free trial of this utility before paying for the software. Using the free demo, you can migrate only the first 50 items per folder. Thereafter, go ahead & upgrade to the license version for complete EDB file export.
Conclusion
As per the above post, we only want to say in the end that there are many ways available to convert offline Exchange Server EDB items to another file format. But users must know appropriate solutions. Here, we make you aware of a manual method that works only when you have admin rights. Also, it has other demerits. Thus, the most effective way for EDB file item conversion is the automated program discussed in the post.