Summary: Exchange database files or EDB files are used by Microsoft Exchange Servers to store user mailboxes, public folders, and mail items, such as emails, contacts, tasks, etc. If you have a EDB file that you want to open to access or import mail items without Exchange Server, you can use an EDB to PST converter software, such as Stellar Converter for EDB.
Exchange database file (.edb) stores Exchange users’ mailboxes and public folders on a server machine. This EDB file contains several mailbox data items of Exchange accounts such as emails, journals, notes, tasks, attachments, messages, calendars, contacts, etc.
Why You May Need to Open EDB Files Without the Exchange Server?
There could be several possible reasons why you may need to open EDB File without the Exchange Server. An Exchange administrator can view the EDB files and mailboxes through the Exchange Admin Center (EAC). However, when the Exchange server goes down or EDB dismounts due to errors, such as hardware error, dirty shutdown, malware intrusion, etc., the EDB file goes offline and becomes inaccessible. The same happens when the Exchange server is decommissioned & you want to open & read the EDB file outside Exchange
An offline EDB file can’t be accessed through the EAC. You may need to mount the offline EDB to the Exchange server, which may sound easy but is a tedious task and mostly, doesn’t work—especially if the EDB is severely damaged.
Here’s a method that you may try to restore dismounted Exchange database (EDB) by using the Dial-Tone recovery technique.
So, if you want to access and open EDB file without Exchange Server, this guide is for you. In this guide, you will learn how to open & read EDB file when you don’t have access to the Exchange Server. Also, solutions to view and export the mailboxes from the EDB to PST file format when EDB is offline, dismounted, or can’t be accessed via Exchange server.
Solutions to Open EDB File without Exchange Server
Before we look at the solution aspect, let us have a quick overview of two default Mailboxes that are created on the Exchange Server.
- Public folder (pub.edb)—Store rich-text format file (RTF)
- Private folder (priv.edb)—Store all default messages and attachments
There are two different solutions that can help you open EDB files. But The first uses Microsoft’s Exchange Server Mailbox Merge Wizard (Exmerge.exe). To run ExMerge to extract a PST file from a mailbox, you need to have the Exchange Server running. The second method uses Stellar’s EDB to PST converter software, which can help you open and access EDB mailboxes without an Exchange server and when Exmerge.exe fails or doesn’t work. These solutions are explained below.
Solution 1: Using Microsoft ExMerge.exe Utility
ExMerge.exe is Microsoft Exchange Server Mailbox Merge Wizard that enables an Exchange administrator to extract data from mailboxes on an Exchange server and merge this data in mailboxes on another Exchange server. You can use the tool to convert EDB file to personal folders (.pst) files and then import them to Outlook. NOTE: This works for Exchange server 2000, 2003, and 5.5. The utility is no more available on Microsoft’s official site. But you can download it from other reliable sources such as CNET.
Follow the steps below:
- Go to Google Search Bar -> search ExMerge.exe and download the utility
- Click on the ExMerge.exe setup and select the extract location
- Click ‘OK’ to extract
- Checkmark Extract data from an Exchange Server Mailbox radio box -> Next
- Click Import Procedure tab -> checkmark Archive data to target store -> OK
- Select Message Details option -> Enter details -> OK
- Choose Mailbox for Export -> Next->Specify Location -> Export Process complete –> Finish
The resultant PST File is now ready for import. Import it in your configured Outlook account and see all the EDB data.
Limitations of ExMerge.exe Utility
- Does not extract mailboxes with over 2GB file size
- Cannot open EDB file outside the Exchange
- Can’t export mailboxes from Offline EDB
- ExMerge.exe doesn’t work for Exchange Server 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019.
Also, there’s no alternative to the ExMerge.exe utility in Microsoft Exchange to open and view EDB without Exchange.
Solution 2: Using an EDB to PST Converter
You can use Stellar Converter for EDB software to open offline EDB files directly without Exchange. All you need to do is download EDB to PST Converter and launch the software on your Windows PC.
Then browse to select the EDB file and click ‘Next’ to access and open the EDB mailboxes and mail items.
The software is free to download and lets you scan, open, and preview the EDB mailboxes. You can then save the EDB mailboxes to PST or other file formats such as EML, MSG, RTF, PDF, & HTML.
Following are some pros and cons of the software,
Pros:
- Easy-to-use and secure
- Reduces time, can scan and view up to 4 EDB at once
- Assures zero data loss
- Can open EDB file without Exchange
Cons:
- Requires buying the license version to avail full functionalities
Why Stellar Converter for EDB is the Best Solution to Open EDB Files without Exchange Server?
- It does not require additional permissions
- It can open EDB file even the server is decommissioned & not available
- Open or export up to 4 EDB files at once
- Preview all mailboxes and mail items in the EDB file
- Converts both Online and Offline Exchange EDB files
- Facilitates effortless extraction of vital Exchange mailbox data such as emails, calendars, contacts, tasks, attachments
- Converts EDB file to multiple formats such as MSG, EML RTF, HTML, and PDF
- Facilitates specific mail search and selective conversion
- Compatible with MS Exchange 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2000, and 5.5 versions
- Supports Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and Windows Server 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008
What If the EDB File is Corrupt?
If the EDB file is corrupt because of hardware and software related issue or any other error, there are several approaches to repair and view the corrupt EDB File data.
You may use the Eseutil command-line tool from Microsoft to fix the EDB corruption issue. But you require some technical knowledge about the tool, how it works, and when it may fail or lead to data loss. Otherwise, the issue may worsen. Also, the cmdlet cannot open EDB file without Exchange.
Alternatively, you may go with a GUI based software-driven approach and use an Exchange Recovery software such as Stellar Repair for Exchange.
The software effortlessly repairs corrupt Exchange Database (EDB) files and saves them as Outlook PST Files. The best thing about this software is its ability to handle large and multiple EDB files at one go. Another key distinguishing trait is its ability to export recovered mailboxes to Office 365/ Live Exchange Server.
The software effortlessly repairs corrupt Exchange Database (EDB) files and saves them as Outlook PST Files. The best thing about this software is its ability to handle large and multiple EDB files at one go. Another key distinguishing trait is its ability to export recovered mailboxes to Office 365/ Live Exchange Server.
Rating by MVP:
In Summation
You can open the EDB file from the Exchange Admin Center if you have access to the Exchange server. However, if you want to open the EDB file outside Exchange, you can use Stellar Repair for Exchange. You can even open an offline, dismounted, or corrupt EDB file without an Exchange server.
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