Extract EDB Files Before You Remove Defunct Exchange Server
The Exchange Server that you work on might become defunct if you have installed or uninstalled it in an improper manner i.e. without following the systematic procedure of the configuration of the Server or uninstalling the server. Now, if you feel the need to remove defunct Exchange Server then you must be very careful with the procedures that have been discussed in the latter part of this segment, as they might be crucial in understanding the step where you went wrong and the defunct Exchange Server removal became difficult for you.
Statutory Warning!
It is priorly warned to the users that if they need to remove defunct Exchange Server system from an organization environment which has numerous servers present in the site, then they must be aware by all the roles that have been held by the defunct server which is about to be removed. Steps to transfer the roles from the defunct Exchange Server to a working server must be taken by the users prior to following the steps to remove defunct Exchange Server.
Roles Held By Server:
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1. Site folder
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2. Group master routing
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3. Bridgehead on connectors like SMTP
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4. Group connector for routing
If the transfer is not executed then you might experience:
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1. Stoppage of mail flow if yours is a bridgehead server for messaging purpose
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2. Problems like free/busy if server is a site folder server
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3. Other types of ill effects might occur calculating upon the role that the server holds
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However, if yours is the only Exchange Server in the site then transfer of roles is not a problem.
Need EDB Before Removing Defunct Server?
The data created on the server is definitely stored somewhere or the other place on the system, However, it will not be functional due to improper removal of the server. Hence, you can use Exchange Recovery software application in order to recover EDB file & convert non-functional EDB files into PST format to regain data accessibility and proceed with the process to remove defunct Exchange Server.
Remove Dysfunctional Exchange Server
Sometimes situations might urge you to get rid of your Exchange Server and the safest way to do so is to repeat the Setup procedure, and then you will have to choose the ‘remove’ option from the screen for Component Selection to remove the components that have been installed.
Work It Up Again!
If you are still stuck, then there must be users that are still mailbox enabled and in order to disconnect the server’s active mailboxes from its affiliated users you will have to make use of the Active Directory User and Computers snap-in so that you can select all the users having mailboxes on the defunct Exchange Server.
Right-click on the selected users to and choose the Exchange Tasks in order to remove mailboxes by clicking on Delete Mailbox. Now, if you are still unable to completely remove you will have to remove it from the ADSIEDIT configuration container.
Summing Up
Most of the time it is important for users to extract EDB Files from Exchange Mailbox Before removing Defunct Exchange Server. Therefore, in the above-discussion, we have discussed the complete process. If there is any issue regarding the same then, feel free to contact us.