When the user creates an Exchange Database, then automatically all the data is stored in the C drive of the computer system in a separate folder. But when the storage limit exceeds then the user have to Move Exchange Database to another drive because too large files can lead to corruption.
Let me remind you one thing that you cannot move the file from one drive to another by just cut and paste option. First, you have to dismount the database and then move it to another location. After which you have to mount the database again to the exchange server.
Before moving the Exchange database to another location you must know the default location of the database files. If you are an exchange administrator then you can view the files directly on the exchange server and manage them by yourself. But for moving the database file you must know the location.
How to Locate Database File
Every version of the exchange server has the different location of saving the files into PC.
For Exchange Server 2016
- C Drive
- Program Files
- Microsoft
- Exchange Server
- V15
- Mailbox
- Mailbox Database Name.edb
For Exchange Server 2013
- C Drive
- Program Files
- Microsoft
- Exchange Server
- V15
- Then Mailbox
- Mailbox Database Name
- Mailbox Database Name.edb
For Exchange 2010
- C Drive
- Program Files
- Microsoft
- Exchange Server
- V14
- Mailbox Database
- Mailbox Database.edb
Sometimes the administrator changes the default location of the database so it is hard to locate the Database files. Don’t worry, because the following cmdlet at Exchange Management Shell helps to get the actual location of the files.
Get-MailboxDatabase | fl Name,EdbFilePath,LogFolderPath
After running this command you’ll get the location of the EDB file with the transaction log and then you can easily move exchange database to another drive.
The information will appear as follow:-
Now, rename the database so that it becomes easier for you to differentiate between default database and new database.
Run the Command- Set-MailboxDatabase ‘DB4321’ -Name ‘DatabaseFA’
Finally the name of the original database changes from DB4321 to DatabaseFA
In order to move the files run the command mentioned below:-
Move-DatabasePath ‘DatabaseFA’ -EdbFilePath ‘D:\ DatabaseFA \ DatabaseFA.edb’ -‘LogFolderPath E:\ DatabaseFA’
Now you have changed the location of the database file and moved the EDB files from drive C to another drive.
Points to Remember
- The database should be dismounted before running this command.
- The User cannot work on it.
- The Database Size decides the time taken during the whole process.
- Any interruption during the process can lead to EDB File corruption.
You May Also Read- Latest Exchange Server.
Another way out to move exchange database to another drive is to create a new database first and then copy the mailbox item to the new database from the old one.
The command for doing so is:-
New-MailboxDatabase -Name “DatabaseFA” -EdbFilePath D:\DatabaseFA\DatabaseFA\DatabaseFA.edb
Create a local Move request from the Admin Center in the new Database.
- Under the Recipient Tab Click on Migration and then on Add
- Select the Option Move to Different Database.
- Now select the user and the Mails which you want to move in Select Users
- Enter a New name in the Move Configuration wizard and then click on Next
- In Start the Batch page configures the settings and then start the Batch Migration.
The process will start and the database will be moved to the selected location.
Well, both methods are effective in their own way. Either you can move the Database files into the existing server location or you can create a new server and then migrate the files. The choice is yours.
You can even save the exchange files in PDF and PST file format if you are novice user. But for this quick and easy method, you have to spend some bucks.
Sysinfo Exchange Database Manager
This is a professional tool which helps the user to convert Exchange Database EDB files into PST and PDF file format. You just have to download the software and save the EDB files into PDF file format. This software is easy to use and don’t worry because it is designed from the viewpoint of a non-technical user. Therefore you can convert EDB file to PDF and move it wherever you want to move.
Conclusion
Finally, I suppose you would be able to move exchange database to another drive either through manual methods or via the professional tool. Now it is your time to decide whether to try the manual methods or an automated tool. The chances of data loss are high during the manual migration, therefore for maintaining the database files intact, you need professional software. I hope you liked this article and it proves informative to you.
