How to locate Exchange EDB files?

Sristi Rana

Published On - February 28, 2024

An Exchange Server is like a hub for emails and calendars in a company. It helps in managing emails, contacts, calendars, and tasks for users. It’s like a central system that keeps everything organized and running smoothly.

Exchange database, also known as EDB files contain the respective mailboxes. It stores all mailboxes data and information in a single place. Primarily, actions in the Exchange mailbox are done through the Exchange Management Shell and the Exchange Admin Center.

An administrator needs to know the location of the database file when backups or restoration of files are done manually. However, it will be easy for you to fix the errors if you know the exact location path, else it will create difficulty for you.

Why is it essential to locate EDB files precisely?

Locating Exchange EDB files is crucial because they hold essential data like emails and contacts and if you ever need to recover information from a disabled mailbox or troubleshoot any issue, knowing where these files are can make the process much smoother. You might need to find the Exchange EDB files in the following scenarios:

• While taking a manual backup, you should know the location of the Exchange EDB file.
• When the mailbox database is removed from the inventory, you should know where the Exchange EDB file is located to re-attach it again.
• When the database has been dismounted or deleted, to mount it again and to get its data back.
• When a server fails to boot up, you must find an EDB file on a recovered hard drive.

To find the location of Exchange EDB files, you usually need to navigate to the location where Microsoft Exchange Server stores them. Let’s examine where the Exchange EDB files are located for each Exchange Server Version:

• If you are working on Exchange Server 2007, your EDB files for public folder and mailbox database will by default be located:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\Mailbox\First Storage Group\Mailbox Database.edb
C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\Mailbox\First Storage Group\Public Folder Database.edb

• If you are working on Exchange Server 2010, your EDB files for public folder and mailbox database will by default be located:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V14\Mailbox Database\Mailbox Database.edb
C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V14\Mailbox Database\Public Folder Database.edb

• If you are working on Exchange Server 2013, your EDB files for public folder and mailbox database will by default be located:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V15\Mailbox\Mailbox database Name\Mailbox database Name.edb

• If you are working on Exchange Server 2016 or 2019, your EDB files for public folder and mailbox database will by default be located:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V15\Mailbox\Mailbox database Name\Mailbox database Name.edb

To locate or restore an Exchange EDB file quickly, you can use Recoveryfix for Exchange Server Recovery tool, which is less time-consuming and easy to use. Following is the procedure for how the tool works:

1. Install the software and run it on your system. Click Add Source option.
2. Select Offline EDB file option. Then click next.
3. As you are not sure of the location of the EDB file, click on Search.
4. Click on the three dots icon (…), to view the folder or drive where you think the EDB file is present.
5. Once chosen, click the Search button.
6. All the EDB files that the tool finds are listed after it searches the folders or drives, select the one you want. Click Ok.
7. Click on the Next button.
8. You can see two scan modes- Standard scan and Deep scan. Select any of your preferences. Click Next.
9. Once scanning of the database is done, the tool will show 100% process completed. Click on Finish.
10. You can check the data of the EDB file and can preview it as well.

Summing up all together

Locating EDB files is essential for managing mailbox data effectively. By knowing where these files are stored, you can easily access and work with essential information like emails and contacts. Having this knowledge can help you troubleshoot issues, recover data, and keep your Exchange Server running smoothly. With Recoveryfix for Exchange Server tool, you will be able to perform such tasks quickly and with less effort.