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EDB to PST Checklist: How to Get Exchange Mailboxes Ready for PST Migration

11 Nov 2026
Softaken

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Introduction

Microsoft Exchange stores users' mailbox information in EDB files, while PST (Personal Storage Table) files are used by Microsoft Outlook. Proper planning is required to carry out the successful migration of Exchange EDB mailbox data to Outlook, since it helps to keep the migration systematic and well-organized. This checklist will give you the list of basic steps necessary to complete the conversion of Exchange EDB to PST files and ensure successful results.

EDB to PST Conversion Checklist

1. Check the Exchange EDB File

□ Find the Exchange Database (EDB) file.

□ Check the database status (online, offline, dismounted, unavailable, etc.).

□ Ensure you have the required EDB file.

2. Prepare Mailbox Data

□ Select the mailboxes that you want to export.

□ Verify mailbox folders and subfolders.

□ Check the availability of emails, contacts, calendars and other mailbox items.

□ Determine whether selective mailbox migration is needed.

3. Select the Appropriate Conversion Method

□ Confirm that the Exchange database is available.

□ If the mailbox is available, consider the manual method using the Exchange Management Shell.

□ If you are working with offline or dismounted EDB files, consider a suitable EDB to PST conversion option.

□ Before you start, check what export options are available.

4. Check the Conversion Software

You can extract Exchange database files into Outlook PST format with the help of Softaken EDB to PST Converter. This tool offers multiple advanced features such as a preview feature, bulk conversion,  selective export and more. Furthermore, this tool provides a better way to manage email files. Verify its available features and ensure that it can meet your migration needs.

□ Verify support for single and multiple EDB files.

□ Preview mailbox contents before converting.

□ Select specific mailbox items as needed.

□ Filter by date range and message class.

□ Review the options for splitting PST files.

5. Check the Converted PST File

□ Open the exported PST file in MS Outlook.

□ Review exported emails and other mailbox items.

□ Check the organization of folders and attachments.

□ Ensure that the required mailbox information is available.

Final Checklist

To successfully migrate Exchange EDB files to PST format, users have to prepare their files the right way, choose the adequate method, check the mailboxes and validate the output. This checklist will help users perform the whole process and minimize the chances of missing important mailbox data.

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