Learn How to Repair Corrupt EDB File using Eseutil & Isinteg Tool

Microsoft Exchange is the most popular server among all end users for exchanging the information. It can store data in EDB format. Moreover, it is also called an Exchange database file (.edb) created by Exchange Server. Although, there are some cases of bad malware and virus attack, which installs a corrupt program on the system, or corrupted Exchange.edb files also. In addition, each data stored in Exchange EDB file is always necessary for end users. Thus, in order to get access back into the Exchange mailbox, it is necessary to repair corrupt.edb files mailboxes. Therefore, in the upcoming section, we are going to discuss step-by-step guide to repair corrupt EDB file using Eseutil and Isinteg in a clear way.

Different Workarounds to Recover Corrupt EDB File

Many times Exchange users want to repair damaged EDB file. Here, various approaches to repair corrupt Exchange EDB file are discussed. One can refer any solution as per their requirement or convenience.

Method #1: Repair Corrupt EDB File Using Eseutil

MS Exchange Server offers an inbuilt utility i.e. Eseutil, which helps a user to recover Exchange EDB files. It is one of the most widely used and a free manual approach to restoring corrupt or damaged EDB data. It is the very helpful application but it has some constraints also. Even though, there is always a risk of losing data when utilizing it to repair Exchange EDB file. Besides this, the main drawback of Eseutil utility is that it does not repair the corrupt database, actually, it rebuilds the database and removes the invalid content that is located during the rebuilding process.

Method #2: Recover Exchange EDB File Using Isinteg

Another inbuilt program of MS Exchange Server is Isinteg, which helps a user to perform search function through an offline information store for integrity weaknesses. Some problems and errors can be easily detected or fixed by an Isintig utility. Moreover, to run the Isinteg.exe on Exchange server, one just need to access the command prompt.

Pre-requisites Before Using Eseutil and Isinteg tools

Go through some instructions that users need to execute before using Eseutil and Isinteg programs:

Create Replicated Exchange Database: Before performing the process to repair corrupt EDB file, it is important for users to create a replica of the corrupted database file. If end users do not know the exact storage location of files or proper files name, then, one can take help from MS Exchange Server Manager. After accessing the database property from an Exchange Server Manager, one can locate one or more files easily. Moreover, one can redirect to the database page directly where a list of every path and exact file names are given.

Dismount An Exchange Database: Make sure that Exchange database file that needs to be repaired is properly dismounted or not. To confirm the same, follow the steps stated below:

1. Open an Exchange Management Console (EMC) on the local system
2. Then, go to the Organization Configuration directly
3. After this, click on the Mailbox and select Database Management tab

Now, in this tab, you have to check that files are in a Mounted column, which is properly dismounted or not. If not, then, right-click on the particular data and select the Dismount Database command as well.

Verify Disk Space Entry: After executing all above-mentioned actions it is necessary to confirm the hard disk space for recovery task. It is important to have at least 20% free space of the total size of the database.

Note: Before performing the procedure to repair corrupt EDB files, it is always recommended to take backup of Exchange.edb files.

One can easily use Isinteg tool to recover corrupt Exchange database files, but it is not a one-stop solution. It can only remove a minor level of corruption and also data at risk. Thus, in order to have a one-stop solution, it is advisable to go for an automated solution.

Method #3: Professional Way to Repair Corrupt EDB File

As the above manual solution is not a perfect solution to recover Exchange EDB file, so one can opt for a commercial solution i.e. Exchange Server Recovery Software. It is a foolproof solution that helps to repair damaged EDB files of any size without any restriction. Also, it helps to recover severely damaged or corrupt Exchange database files. Moreover, it has some advanced features i.e., date and time-based filter to repair all the Exchange mailboxes.

Let's Wrap Up

In Microsoft Exchange server, corruption issue is unavoidable. So, whenever corruption occurs, it is necessary to recover Exchange EDB files. After understanding the demands of the user, different workarounds to restore Exchange Mailboxes are already discussed above. With Eseutil & Isinteg utilities, users can retrieve corrupt or damaged.edb file manually. Also, an effortless solution is also explained to repair corrupt EDB file in a quick manner.

I am Software Engineer by Profession and Tech Blogger by passion. I love to write about technologies and solve user query on different forums.