Exchange experts or new users, both are aware that the complete content of the Exchange Server, i.e. its user mailboxes along with its items are stored in a single storage package called the Exchange database, EDB file. Such an EDB file contains all the information about the crucial data in Exchange mailboxes like emails, notes, tasks, calendars, contacts, journals, etc. The Exchange administrator is given the authority to assign permissions to and manage the Exchange database mailboxes. Mostly, administrators are unaware of the Exchange EDB file location unless there is any requirement. Let us see when the location path of the EDB file is actually needed.
Expert Recommended: Free Methods to Convert Exchange EDB to PST File
As we have discussed the needs to locate the Exchange database file, the next step would be to find the ways for locating it.
Using Exchange PowerShell:
Exchange administrators can use the Exchange PowerShell medium to extract the information about the location of Exchange database file. To do this, first administrator must open the PowerShell in Exchange Server or the Exchange Management Shell and then execute the following cmdlet:
Get-MailboxDatabase –Status | select “edbfilepath”
The EDB file location information will be retrieved as the output of this command.
Or users can note down the basic default Exchange EDB file locations on their systems on which the Exchange Server is installed depending on the different Exchange Server versions.
Default Locations of EDB Files on Exchange System Drive:
For Exchange Server 2019 and 2016 versions, the default EDB file location is
For Exchange Server 2013 version, the default EDB file location is
And for Exchange Server 2010 version, the default EDB file location is
Some users even today have older Exchange Server versions such as Exchange Server 2007, Exchange Server 2003, and Exchange Server 2000. They want to secure their EDB file data by taking a backup and so need to locate the EDB file.
To locate the Exchange EDB file in Exchange Server 2007, go to the following path:
For more old versions of Exchange, 2003 and 2000, EDB file is located at the given path:
Here Priv1.edb is the private folder database file which stores complete default messages and attachments. And Pub1.edb is the public folder database file which stores rich text format data files
So, we got the actual or default EDB file locations for different Exchange Server versions. But remembering this information or keeping the EDB locations record always with you seems a tardy or unreal task. An alternative solution is required here.
Exchange administrators can take the help of trustable, professional Exchange Recovery software to know the exact location of their EDB file using the Search filter.
We recommend you our Exchange Recovery software that locates all EDB files residing on your Exchange Server system easily with integrated Search option. Users can open that EDB file, be it healthy or corrupt (after recovering this file), can have selective preview of user mailboxes items in it. Added privilege is that users can convert the required data from that EDB file into different file formats for future use. It also facilitates the migration facility to Exchange, Microsoft 365, etc. You can surely depend on this software for dealing with your Exchange EDB file in any manner whether corruption, data loss or inaccessibility with maintaining complete data integrity.
The article suggested you the ways to locate Exchange EDB file manually by using PowerShell commands or by directly navigating to the mentioned EDB path locations. A better approach to find EDB files in your system effortlessly along with other operations like data migration, recovery, etc. with third-party software is also discussed. At last, the decision is in the hands of wise users to go for their desirable options as per their current need. All the best with it!
