Most of the Exchange users don’t know how to export mailbox to PST using PowerShell. This article will guide users & provide solution to export the Exchange Server database mailbox to Outlook data file.
As we already know that Microsoft Exchange Server is the most widely and popular mail server used around the globe by many IT companies and other industry verticals for business and communication purposes.
Working at such (small / medium / large) is also attracting many new users to use and work on Exchange Server. All the mailboxes & data items such as: mails, notes, tasks, calendars, journals, contacts, etc… are store in the Exchange database file. Which is the main repository of the server and prone to corruption. So, in order to keep the data safe and secure from being corrupted, lost, deleted, and much more. It is necessary to export the mailbox from the Exchange database to the PST file for backup and storage purposes.
Here the question arises why it needs to export the EDB mailbox to the Outlook data file? As we discussed above that the Exchange database file is vulnerable to corruption and if any Exchange database gets corrupted then users will not able to access the mailboxes and its items because it becomes inaccessible. Also, users will lose Exchange data. In that case, the PST will work as a backup file from which users can access and retrieve the mailboxes and data items into Exchange Server or Microsoft Outlook by importing it.
Now you know that why it is important to export mailboxes. Let’s proceed towards the method to perform conversion.
Solution for How to Export Mailbox to PST Using PowerShell Cmdlet
There are numerous Exchange PowerShell command that performs the different operation and to export Exchange database mailboxes users have to use the New-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet which export the content of primary and archive Exchange mailbox to Outlook PST file.
Users can use this command to export on-premise Exchange .edb file mailboxes. It applies to the MS Exchange Server 2010, 2013, 2016, and above versions. But before using the cmdlet to perform conversion users have to assign Mailbox Import Export Role because this PowerShell command is available in this role and by default, this Import Export Role is not assigned to any role group. So, you have to manually provide the role by using the following command given below:
New-ManagementRoleAssignment –Role “Mailbox Import Export” –User “provide-user-name”
After assigning the role, you have to create the shared folder and provide read / write or full control permission to the Exchange Trusted Subsystem Security group of the folder.
Follow the steps given below to grant the permission:
1. Create the New Folder and click on the properties option
2. Click on the sharing tab > Then, select the advance sharing option
3. After that, select on the given option i.e. share this folder > Select the permission button
4. Click on the Add button and insert the Exchange Trusted Subsystem in the dialogue box
5. Select the checkbox i.e. full control > Then, click on the apply button
After assigning the role and provide the given permission, now users can use the cmdlet to export mailboxes.
Export Mailbox to PST Using PowerShell 2016/2013/2010 Command
Execute the cmdlet given below to export the EDB mailbox to Outlook PST file:
New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox “Joe” -FilePath “\\PC\Desktop\NewFolder\filename.pst”
The command provided above export the Joe Exchange mailbox to the Outlook data file. If you want to export archive EDB mailbox then user have to insert different cmdlet which is given below:
New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox “Joey” -FilePath “\\PC\Desktop\NewFolder\filename.pst” -IsArchive
This cmdlet export the Joey Exchange archive mailbox to the Outlokk data file.
Like this, users have to execute different cmdlet to export various mailboxes. If they want to export multiple mailboxes then you can use the command mentioned below:
1. $Export = Get-Mailbox
2. $Export|%{$_|New-MailboxExportRequest -FilePath “\\Desktop\EDB mailboxes\$($_.file).pst”}
Shortcoming Of Manual Solution
- User cannot export offline/dismounted EDB mailboxes to Outlook PST file
- Doesn’t work properly with the corrupted or damaged mailboxes
- Need users to have technical knowledge, skills, and expertise
- Time taking and lengthy method. Depending on the size of mailbox it takes time to export it
Note: There are most users who are new to the Microsoft Exchange Server Environment and for them it would be difficult to understand the manual solution. So, they want an efficient solution that export the Exchange Server mailboxes to the Outlook data file and want to avoid the complexity and technicality of the manual method. In that case, users can use the advance solution given below which easily export mailboxes without using PowerShell cmdlet in a hassle freeway.
Use Alternative Solution to Export Exchange Mailbox to Outlook PST File
You can use the SysTools Exchange Export Tool which is capable to export the multiple Exchange database mailboxes such as: corrupt, hosted, journal, exclude dumpster, disconnected, enabled, disabled from Live Exchange Server 2016 / 2013 / 2010 / 2007 / 2003 to the PST file in a simplified manner without using any Exchange PowerShell command.
This advanced utiltiy automatically detect, scan, and load the active directory. Also, it provides option i.e. Include sub-domain user’s which allow users to search the EDB mailboxes with in subdomain. Users also selective or bulk export Exchange mailbox data items to the PST file format without any hassle. In addition to this, this software offers date filter option which export the select mailbox item within specified date range. It impose any file size limitation. Users can export any size of mailboxes to PST file.
Working Steps to Export Exchange Mailbox to Outlook PST File
Step 1: Download, Install and Launch the automated software
Step 2: Enter the credentials > Then, select the Exchange Server version & click on include sub-domain user’s checkbox > Select the login button
Step 3. After that, select the Exchange Server mailboxes and click on the next button
Step 4: Select the data item and click on the given checkbox >> Then, select the browse button to set destination file location & click on the export option
Note: There are most Exchange as well as novice users who are having offline / dismounted Exchange database file and they want to export mailboxes from these EDB files but the solution provides here only export mailbox from Exchange Server. Then, users can use the EDB to PST Converter Software which support these .edb files (public & private) and easily export bulk mailboxes to the Outlook data file in a simplified way without any hassle. By default, it creates UNICODE PST file.
Bringing It All Together
In this write-up, we have provided detailed information on how to export mailbox to PST using PowerShell cmdlet but the manual solution has it own downside due to which new Exchange users find difficult to export Exchange database mailboxes. So, to export the mailboxes from Exchange Server to the Outlook data file without using any command users can use the alternative solution provided here. Depending on your need or preference you can select the solution and perform the conversion without any hindrance.
