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.
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.
Contents
Before we look at the solution aspect, let us have a quick overview of two default Mailboxes that are created on the Exchange Server.
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:
The resultant PST File is now ready for import. Import it in your configured Outlook account and see all the EDB data.
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.
Pros:
Cons:
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.
Reference: https://gallery.technet.microsoft.com/office/Exchange-2016-Recover-a-87622713
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.
For more help, leave your comment or reach us via the support page.
Eric Simson is an Email Platform Consultant and is associated with Stellar Data Recovery from last 6 years. He writes about the latest technology tips and provides custom solutions related to MS Outlook, MS Exchange Server, Office 365, and many other Email Clients & Servers.
Hi,
I did convert my mailbox from EDB using stellar, when i opened it with outlook, I did not found the flagged emails, I knew all my mails were retrieved.
how can i know if there is an option to retrieve the email including the feature (To Do Task)
Thanking you in advance
Hi Bassem, Please let us know the purchased details of the software. After that, our support team will assist you accordingly.
Should I trust the third party software?
This software is recommended by several MVPs. Please, check out the reviews of MVP about software i.e. available here: https://www.stellarinfo.com/mvp-reviews-testimonials.php?product=exchange-recovery
You can also try a free demo of the software to match your expectations.
I was trying to open EDB file without exchange server by inbuilt programs. But I get stuck in the middle of the operation. I don’t know how to get rid of this situation.
It’s urgent…
If you want to access EDB file outside Exchange Server, then Stellar converter for EDB seems best choice.
Yes!
It also helps to convert EDB file into the desired file formats (PST, EML, MSG, RTF, PDF, HTML & Office 365).
Can I open public folders?
Yes!
You can open public folders using Exchange Admin Center.
is it possible to open private Exchange database (priv.edb) also without Exchange Server?
Yes!
You can easily open private Exchange database (priv.edb) also without Exchange Server.