Exporting a mailbox to a PST file is a simple yet challenging task that was earlier done using ExMerge prior to Exchange 2007. However, the scenario has changed a bit in 2007 and later versions by introduction of the new cmdlet Export-Mailbox. The post describes the command in Exchange 2013.
Reasons for
exporting an EDB (Exchange Database) file to PST may include:
• You might want to back up the Exchange mailboxes.
• You may be asked to track the activities of an existing user.
• You may require to keep the data of an ex-employee.
In all the above cases, it is necessary to convert an EDB file to PST. Well, it sounds easy; however, the process requires whole attention to get the job finished successfully. To initiate the export process, you need to use MailboxExportRequest cmdlet sets in Exchange Management Shell.
Similarly, the MailboxImportRequest cmdlets are used for import process; however, the post is entirely concerned with 'Export'. Therefore, the discussion will be limited to it only.
When mailbox export process initiates, the MRS (Mailbox Replication Service of MS Exchange) participates to complete the process. The service takes the responsibility to move mailbox to a .pst file. When you use MailboxExportRequest in Exchange 2013, it benefits you in the following ways:
• You can export more than one .pst file at a time.
• You can store .pst file on a shared network that can be accessed from Exchange servers.
• The Unicode .pst files are supported by Exchange 2013.
However, you need to keep track of some important points before exporting the mailbox data. See below.
• You need to set up a network shared folder that is accessible to Exchange servers. Moreover, it requires you to make sure that you have provided Exchange Trusted Subsystem group with the read/write permissions; granting the permissions is necessary to enable the group to access the network where that data has to be exported. In case, you miss the permission criteria, you will face an error informing you about connection establishment.
• Note that the export process may take longer. The time it takes depends upon the size of the file, MRS throttling, and network bandwidth.
In Exchange 2013, the cmdlet New-MailboxExportRequest will be used to create a request for Export process. You are allowed to create multiple mailbox export requests for each mailbox; however, make sure to give unique name to each request.
A great thing is MS Exchange provides 1-10 names for one export request; but if you are supposed to create export requests over 10, give unique name to each. Moreover, you are also permitted to remove already created requests by using Remove-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet.
However, you need to perform the delete operation before initiating a new request. Also, using the remove cmdlet requires you to have necessary permissions.
When you perform EDB to PST conversion or in other words, export a mailbox to a PST file, you need to use the MailboxExportRequest cmdlet as conveyed above. In this context, it is also important to know the parameters provided to you that are displayed below. Note that you are allowed to export multiple mailboxes; however, each .pst file accepts only one request at a time.
• A parameter 'IsAchive' is available to allow you to export archive data.
• 'ContentFilter' parameter facilitates the filtering of messages. You can do filtering by Inbox category, message content, message type, attachment, senders, recipients, message size, importance (low, medium, high), and the time when message was received, sent or expired.
• The IncludeFolders parameter allows you to include the folders. Similarly, you can use ExcludeFolders parameter to exclude the folders. In case of Exchange 2013 mailbox, the Recoverable Items folder can be excluded with 'ExcludeDumpster' parameter.
• The 'AssociatedMessagesCopyOption' parameter lets you export the associated messages that consist of hidden data containing information about forms, rules, and views. Note that associated items are not copied without using parameter.
There may be many cases when user wants to keep the copy of his mailbox. In this case, the administrator needs to get access to .edb file (Exchange database file containing mailboxes) of that particular user and export its data to a .pst file. While the mailbox is exported to .pst file, the following cmdlets participate:
• Use New-MailboxExportRequest to initiate the process. You are allowed to create one request for each mailbox with unique names.
• Run Set-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet to change request options.
• Use Suspend-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet if you want to suspend the request; however, run the command before the completion of request.
• Resume-MailboxExportRequest helps you resume a failed/suspended export request.
• Use Remove-MailboxExportRequest in case you need to remove the completed or in-progress export requests.
• Get-MailboxExportRequest lets you see the general export request information.
• Get-MailboxExportRequestStatistics shows detailed export request information.
It was all about the Export-Mailbox. Did you find anywhere that the task is a whole lot difficult for you to perform? If yes, you can use an external
EDB to PST Converter that will do the very same thing automatically.
Amanda
About the Guest Author:
Amanda is a passionate blogger. Her main focus of research is about various Email conversion methods such as :
EDB to PST Conversion , OST to PST conversion , NSF to PST conversion and DBX to PST conversion methods etc. Now, she is researching on various Email conversion tips & tricks and loves to share her findings that can help the readers in their day to day life.
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