Steps for Exchange Database Recovery via Eseutil - Detailed Overview

An Exchange EDB file is the main repository file of the Exchange Server. It is used to store all the mailbox items of an Exchange mailbox like emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, etc. Any issue in the EDB file can result in an inaccessible Exchange database requiring an Exchange database recovery.

When you need to perform such kind of recovery, users can either use Eseutil (free utility) or a professional solution that can help them get rid of the issue. The Eseutil utility has two recovery modes to carry out the process - Soft Recovery and Hard Recovery.

Whenever you perform Exchange database recovery using Eseutil hard recovery option, then there are high chances of data loss as it purges all the mailbox items that are irrecoverable. So, if your Exchange database is highly corrupted, then you are suggested to go with the automated tool discussed below.

How to Recover Exchange Database via Eseutil Command

In the following segment, we will discuss the free utility provided by Microsoft named Eseutil. The major functionality of this utility is to fix technical errors in the Exchange database. Additionally, there are multiple stages that a user needs to perform in order to perform Exchange database recovery.

Step 1: Scan & Verify States of Exchange Database State

• The first step is to check out whether the database state is in a clean or dirty shutdown state. This can be verified by the following instructions.
• Find the Eseutil utility stored in the following Location: “c:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\bin”, where the Exchange application is installed.

• Now Run the Eseutil.exe to Run the commands to verify the "State" of the Exchange Database.
• In Command prompt, execute the following command:

• In such a situation when the Database Shutdown state is corresponding to ‘Dirty Shutdown’, then it signifies that some transactions are still awaited to complete. Here, we need to go to Step 2 to proceed further.

Step 2: Perform Soft Exchange Database Recovery via Eseutil

Once you have found that the database has a dirty shutdown state and the logs are missing, the recovery process becomes easy. You only need to perform a soft recovery operation on it. This can be done by the execution of the below-mentioned cmdlet.

In this command, you need to provide the location of the log file and Exchange database according to your Microsoft Exchange version. After the successful execution of the command, the lost logs will be restored and your Exchange database will be recovered.

Step 3: Again Check Database State

Once the above statement executes successfully, check the status of the database again. For this, a user needs to execute the following command.

If the database state appears to be in a Clean shutdown, then you can re-mount the database. The command to mount the database is as follows:

In case the database still appears in a Dirty Shutdown state, then you need to perform hard Exchange database recovery using the Eseutil utility.

Step 4: Hard Exchange DB Recovery

As discussed in the above segment, the high level of corruption issues can’t be fixed by performing soft recovery on databases. In such cases, users need to repair Exchange database using hard recovery. Before going through the process, you must know that this process will purge all the data that is irrecoverable.

To implement a hard Exchange database Recovery via Eseutil, you need to use the eseutil /p switch. Additionally, it takes a considerable amount of time for a complete process depending on the size of the DB. You will be reminded of the data loss that could occur during the process.

Professional Utility for Exchange Database Recovery

If you are looking for a reliable and quick solution that makes your recovery job simple, then go for the trusted EDB File Repair Tool. This software is a top choice of all experts as it ensures in-depth recovery while keeping the data integrity intact. Moreover, the utility eliminates the chances of data loss no matter whether the Exchange database is highly corrupted or not.

The software for Exchange database recovery comes with two scan modes i.e. Quick and Advance scan. The quick scan is helpful in minor corruption issues whereas the latter one helps in resolving major corruption issues.

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Apart from this, there are numerous advanced features that help in a seamless recovery process. The users can download the utility for free and try the demo version without purchasing the licensed version. The software is compatible with Exchange 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and older versions.

Steps to Run this Utility are as follows:

Step 1: Launch the tool and add Exchange Database to it.

Step 2: If the files are highly corrupted, then select the Advance scan option.

Step 3: The software will then provide a preview of mailbox items.

Step 4: Now select the export option in which you want to export your data.

Step 5: Your Exchange database recovery process is finally completed.

Ways to Recover Exchange Database

There are two simple ways to perform recovery. The first method is to use log files and another way is to recover Exchange Database without log files.

• With Log Files: Entire database info is recorded in the transaction log file; every statement in the log represents the operations executed on the database. If all log file statements are successfully rolled back, then data components are restored completely. (Note: If entries in log files are missing or the log file is corrupted then it is surely not possible to do Exchange Database recovery of emails and other data components.
• Without Log Files: If log files are corrupted, missing, or deleted from the system then you need to use the aforementioned software. It automatically scans, recovers, and export data without logs. This software is not dependent on log files or chk files, rather it works on the offline or disconnected Exchange databases.

Wrapping Up

Users who are suffering from a damaged Exchange database and looking for a reliable solution to perform recovery can refer to this article. They can go with the Eseutil utility for Exchange database recovery but should also consider the consequences involved in it. To overcome the shortcomings of the utility, we have also discussed a trusted solution for the same.