Migrate EDB to PST with Different Manual Methods

In this article, we will discuss various methods to migrate EDB to PST. EDB is an Exchange Database file formatted using a B-tree structure that stores rich text data like MAPI, SMTP and HTTP messages in MS Exchange. On the other hand, PST is a personal folder file in Microsoft Outlook that stores data like emails messages, calender, reminders and everything in Outlook on user’s computer.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO MIGRATE EDB TO PST

Conversion can be done in two ways:-
1. Manually
2. Third Party tools

MANUAL METHODS FOR CONVERSION

There are three methods that migrate EDB to PST manually i.e.

Migrate EDB to PST with ExMerge 

1. ExMerge.exe Utility:- It is an administrative tool which extracts data from Exchange Database file and saves to Outlook PST file.

Steps to migrate EDB to PST manually with the help of ExMerge.exe

• Install and configure the ExMerge.exe in the system and then start the utility and login into Microsoft Exchange Server. Then mailbox wizard will appear, then click on Next and proceed further.
• Then click on the Procedure which user wants to perform in that wizard.
• Then click on Extract or Import (Two Step Procedure) and then click Next.

Now click on Extract Data from an Exchange Server Mailbox and then click Next.

A dialog box will appear i.e. Data Selection Criteria. Then click on Import Procedure tab, then click on Archive Data to Target Store and at last click on OK.

Now click on Message Details Tab, and enter all the information and then click OK.

Now user can see all the mailboxes in his selected server. Now, Select the mailboxes he wants to migrate EDB to PST and click Next.

Now user has to choose the desired location where he can store his PST files by clicking on Change Folder and then click on Next. Now user can see the process status. Then click on Finish.

Migrate EDB to PST with PowerShell

Using PowerShell Commands:- PowerShell is a command line tool. It is used to build up scripting language on .net framework. It allows Exchange user to perform EDB to PST migration through Export mail command.

Steps to migrate EDB to PST are:-

• To add Snap-in, user has to use the following command
• Add-PSSnapin microsoft.exchange.management.powershell.e2010 
• Now create a separate folder to save PST files from EDB file and name that folder.
• Now right click on the folder and click on Properties and then click on Share Folder.
• Now assign the Read/Write permissions and click on Share.
• Now copy the path of the shared folder and save it anywhere.
• Now run command on PowerShell. Now check the converted PST files  in the folder. MailBox is the mailbox where user want to export and EnterFilePath is a path folder where user wants to store the PST file.

New-MailboxExportRequest –Mailbox MailboxName –FilePath EnterFilePath

Migrate EDB to PST with EAC

Using EAC (Exchange Admin Center)- It also helps in exporting 2013 mailbox to PST files.

Steps to migrate EDB to PST are:-

a) Create a Shared folder where user wants to export the mailbox. But there are some point to remember at the time of creating shared folder.

• Location should not be C Drive and should be in partition.
• Do not create any folder where there are Database or Log files.
• In future, if user wants to remove the files, he should create clean-up script.

b) Click on Permissions tab, and set Shared and Security level.

c) Now Assign Export Permission to Mailbox. Now steps to be followed to assign the   permission.

• Using Organization Management, Open on EAC. Double click on Recipient Management and then click on Add in the top of the Role.
• Now in a Select a Role page, click on Mailbox Import Export and then Add and the OK.
• Now click on Add in the Roles section and then select Mailbox Import Export in a new page. Now click on Add and then OK.

d) Now Export Mailbox data into Outlook PST, follow the process to migrate EDB to PST:

• Open EAC, click on Mailboxes and a list will appear. Select the mailboxes which user wants to export 
• Now right click on Mailbox and click on Export to a PST file. Now click on Browse and then select the mailbox.
• Now user can get the path of mailboxes he exported using this syntax:
• \\server\folder\ExportFile.pst.
• Then at last click on Finish.

DRAWBACKS OF MANUAL METHODS

1. These methods are very long and time-consuming.

2. Limited amount of data can export through these methods.

3. User should have good knowledge on Exchange server and these manual methods.

THIRD PARTY TOOLS 

Exchange EDB to PST Converter is a third party software which overcomes the limitation of the manual methods to migrate EDB to PST. It supports older versions as well. There is no size limit. It also supports conversion of corrupted, encrypted and password protected EDB file.