In the on-premises Exchange Server, several methods can help to convert EDB files to PST. These include using Exchange Admin Center (EAC) and the PowerShell cmdlets in the Exchange Management Shell (EMS) environment. In addition, admins also prefer using the third-party EDB to PST converters to serve this purpose with ease and efficiency.
To fulfill this task in the EMS environment, the admins use the New-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet. When used with various parameters and switches, it makes the mailbox export operations more convenient. However, to use this command, the concerned user account must have the Mailbox Import Export role assigned to it. Right here, we will discuss this cmdlet for ESDB to PST conversion and the role assignment in detail.
What is the need for EDB to PST conversion?
Issues like hardware errors, database inconsistencies, malware intrusion, and disk space shortage can make the Exchange data corrupted or inaccessible. This necessitates the need for EDB files to PST conversion. Here are some more reasons for EDB to PST conversion:
- Exchange database migration to another server
- Extracting data from a damaged or corrupted EDB file
- Freeing up or Archiving the space in the Exchange Information Store
- Meet eDiscovery or legal compliances
- Restore deleted mailboxes, existing in the EDB mails, while serving their retention period
During any of these operations, the Exchange database may become dismounted and go offline. This turns the mailbox details inaccessible and halts all business operations. In such a situation, recovering Exchange mailbox data and exporting it to PST format becomes crucial. Often performed by using the New-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet, it ensures data safety and facilitates business continuity.
What are the prerequisites of using the New-MailboxExportRequest Command?
Found only in the Mailbox Import Export role, the New-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet helps to start exporting the contents of a primary mailbox or archive to a PST file. Since the role remains unassigned to any role groups by default, you will need to add the Mailbox Import Export role to a role group before using this command.
Use EAC
Here are the steps to do this by using EAC.
- Open the EAC and log in with admin credentials
- Click Permissions > Admin Roles
- Click the + button to provide the group name
- Under the Roles, click the + button
- Look for Mailbox Import Export and add it to the list by double-clicking on it, and then click OK.
- Add the user account to export data in the Members area, and click Save
Use EMS
Alternatively, you can also do this job through EMS.
- Assign the Mailbox Import Export role by using the New-RoleGroup cmdlet in the EMS.
New-RoleGroup “Mailbox Import-Export Management” -Roles “Mailbox Import Export
- The same task is possible by using the Add-RoleGroupMember cmdlet.
Add-RoleGroupMember “Mailbox Import-Export Management” -Member Administrator
Next, create a shared folder to export the PST files, and assign the read and write permissions
- Share the folder with the users having the Import/Export role assigned to them
- Also, add the Exchange Trusted Subsystem to the permissions
- Make sure the users have all the requisite folder permissions
How to use the New-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet?
After completing all the major prerequisites, you can proceed to export the mailbox to PST by using New-MailboxExportRequest. Here is the command:
New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox -FilePath
Here are a few examples:
Example 1
New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox Rohit -FilePath “\\SERVER001\PSTFileShare\Rohit_Recovered.pst”
In this example, the New-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet exports the primary mailbox of the user Rohit to a .pst file on the network shared folder PSTFileShare on SERVER001
Example 2
New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox Glen –FilePath “\\SERVER001\PSTFileShare\Glen_Archive.pst” -IsArchive
This command exports the user Glen’s archive to a PST file on the network shared folder named PSTFileShare on Server001
Example 3
New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox Shane -ContentFilter “(Body -like ‘*organization*’) -and (body -like ‘*benefit*’) -and (Received -lt ’01/01/2024′)” -FilePath “\\SERVER001\PSTFileShare\Shane_OrganizationBenefits.pst”
This example filters the messages to look for only the specific ones that include the words “organization” and “benefit” in the message’s body for the user named ‘Shane’ in the Server named SERVER001 received before January 1 2024
Parameters and switches associated with New-MailboxExportRequest
You can use the Mailbox Export Request cmdlet with several switches or parameters to filter or export selected items from the mailboxes. Let’s know some of them:
- IncludeFolders: The parameter indicates the list of folders that you wish to include during the mailbox export
- ExcludeFolders: The parameter points to the list of folders that you want to exclude while doing the mailbox export.
- Content Filter: It segregates the results by the specific values and properties with the help of OPATH filter syntax. You can use this filter to export to a selected date but not between two dates.
- FilePath: Provides the network share path of the PST file to which you wish to export the data. For example, \\SERVER001\PST Files\MBexport.pst.
- IsArchive: The switch indicates export of mailboxes from the user’s archive. It does not need you to mention a value.
- Mailbox: The parameter mentions the source mailbox from where you are exporting the contents
- Name: The name of the specific request to display and track the Mailbox Export request
All these parameters apply to Exchange Server 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Exchange Server SE. Besides, numerous other parameters and switches exist that you can use with New-MailboxExportRequest to perform a specific function. Some of these include:
- AcceptLargeDataLoss
- AssociatedMessagesCopyOption
- BadItemLimit
- BatchName
- CompletedRequestAgeLimit
- ComplianceStorePath
- Confirm
- ConflictResolutionOption
- ContentFilterLanguage
- DomainController
- ExcludeDumpster
- InternalFlags
- LargeItemLimit
- MRSServer
- Priority
- RemoteCredential
- RemoteHostName
- RequestExpiryInterval
- SkipMerging
- SourceRootFolder
- Suspend
- TargetRootFolder
- WhatIf
- WorkloadType
You can get detailed information about these parameters and switches on the dedicated official Microsoft web page.
EDB to PST conversion using a third-party software
Exporting EDB files to PST using New-MailboxExportRequest can prove troublesome due to the intense technical jargon involved. If you do not possess adept technical expertise, you are likely to struggle while using these cmdlets with various switches and parameters. A comparably easier and more effective method is to use an automated EDB to PST conversion software. It does not require you to use the New-MailboxExportRequest or any other cmdlet. In addition, it will provide multiple features:
- Restore offline EDB mailbox items to Live Exchange
- Convert EDB files to different formats
- Support Unicode EDB to PST conversion while removing language-related complications
- Save the Public Folders into PST file format
- Export mailboxes from a different Exchange Server to PST
- Export multiple mailboxes to PST format
Of the many applications available online providing these features, Stellar Converter for EDB is a viable option.
Conclusion
You may need to export EDB files to PST for various reasons, such as to migrate mailboxes to another server, set the server space free, restore deleted mailboxes, and so on. To perform the export, admins use EAC and EMS commands. The New-MailboxExportRequest is the ideal cmdlet to use in the EMS environment. But before starting the export, you must ensure that your user account has all the requisite permissions assigned.
This is possible through EAC or EMS (New-RoleGroup or Add-RoleGroupMember cmdlets). After the role group assignment, you can proceed to perform the export request with the help of several parameters and switches. Prominent among these include ContentFilter, FilePath, IncludeFolders, Exclude Folders, IsArchive Mailbox, and so on.
The major issue with this method is the need for in-depth technical knowledge. If you have limited knowledge of the involved concepts, it is better to confide in an EDB to PST conversion tool instead of using the New-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet. Notably, Stellar Converter for EDB can be a feasible tool to serve this purpose without hassles.
