What is .edb File Extension?

Full Form of EDB File Format

The .edb file extension basically stands for Extensible Storage Engine (ESE) Database.

Introduction to EDB File

What is EDB File Format?

The EDB File is the Exchange Database file created by Microsoft Exchange Server. It is the file format, which is supported by Windows platform only. In addition, the exchange.edb file is basically created to store all data items stored in mailbox such as emails, calendars, contacts, notes, tasks, etc. To access the data, Exchange Server uses Extensible Storage Engine (ESE). It is the main repository of Exchange Server mailbox data items. Each and every communication made through Exchange Server is maintained in the EDB file. Apart from all this, .edb file is designed by a b-tree structure on a single client-server architecture. The main motive of designing is to have instant access to multiple pages at once.

Extensible Storage Engine (ESE)

The Extensible Storage Engine or ESE is an advanced indexed sequential method that is used to store and retrieve data from the tables. Exchange Storage Engine is basically a midpoint of the Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange Server, Windows Search and Branch Cache. The main purpose of ESE is to permit users to extract and store data in a hierarchical manner using indexed and sequential access. Moreover, it maximizes the performance to store and retrieve data. Moreover, exchange.edb is accessed directly by Extensible Search Engine also.

EDB File Types

Earlier in Exchange Server 2003 & 2000 save email messages in EDB file format but now there are some changes in the format. Now, there are two types of EDB files created by the Exchange Server mailbox and one STM file is created to store attachments.

It is the rich text data store of Exchange Server. In addition, SMTP, MAPI, and HTTPS messages are stored in the EDB file. Moreover, there are two types of .edb file extension created by Exchange Server i.e.

Priv.edb: It is the database files that stores only private data of users mailbox.

Pub.edb: All these data items are kept public or shared folders of users mailbox.

STM: STM files in Exchange mailbox are the files that are used to save attachments in email in a personal file.

Facts Related to EDB File Format

• ESE or Extensible Storage Engine also referred as JET Blue, which is used by Exchange Server to store and extract EDB file data.
• The exchange.edb file is also referred as a MAPI-based database because it keeps the messages submitted by the MAPI clients (Outlook).
• The Exchange database is created using many B-trees to have a quick access.
• The Exchange Server use priv1.edb file for private folder and pub1.edb for public folder to store data. In addition, multi-media files are stored in .stm file i.e. (streaming database).
• Exchange Server 2007/2010 first introduced mailbox database.edb in place of priv1.edb file and Public Folder Database.edb in place of pub1.edb file. However, STM file extension was deleted from Exchange 2007.
• One can easily repair EDB file using command-line utilities ESEUTIL & ISINTEG and user can also convert Exchange Mailbox to PST by using "New-MailboxExportRequest" cmdlet

Location of EDB files

Default Path of EDB file 2000 & 2003

C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\MDBDATA\Priv1.edb

C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\MDBDATA\Pub1.edb

Default Path of EDB in 2007

C:\Program Files\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\Mailbox\First Storage Group\Mailbox Database.edb

C:\Program\Files\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\Mailbox\First Storage Group\Public Folder Database.edb

Default Path of EDB 2010

C:\Program Files\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V14\Mailbox Database\Mailbox Database.edb

C:\Program Files\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V14\Public Folder Database\Public Folder Database.edb

Default Path of EDB 2013

C:\Program Files\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\Mailbox\Mailbox database name

Conclusion

Exchange EDB file is the most important database file created by the Microsoft. It stores entire data of user mailbox. In addition, for private data, it maintains separate file i.e. priv1.edb file and for shared and public folders it creates pub1.edb file. As EDB file are really important for any Exchange Server users so, after understanding user requirement we have discussed what is EDB file extension along with its specification.