Exchange Database EDB File Size is Growing Rapidly. How to Shrink Exchange Database?

EDB file is the database file of Exchange server which stores data like emails, contacts, calendars etc all at one place. As the data on server keeps on increasing it also leads to increase of EDB file, but large EDB file may lead to the corruption of files. If the EDB corruption persists users can use Convert EDB tool to repair the file. Sometimes this unusual growth also leads into mounting and inaccessibility issues.
So here we need to know how to compress exchange EDB file and fortunately, there exist multiple solutions to shrink huge EDB  file.

Why Exchange EDB file is too large?

On regular increasing the data in edb files, the growth of exchange database automatically takes place. This size will not be compacted even on removing or deleting the data from the database, it will remain the same. White space will get created on the place of deleted data and that white space can be used by new data to be stored there without increasing the file database size.

Solutions:

We have explained here the three techniques to reduce the size of EDB file:

1. 1. Deletion of undesirable data from Exchange mailbox
      It is the simplest and obvious solution to shorten or free up space on the server. But even after deletion of data the size of the database will not be reduced but can be used by new entry of data without further increasing of database size. Using this method, users need to focus more so that any important data may not get deleted accidentally.
   2. Offline defragmentation of exchange database

What is Offline defrag?
Offline defrag is a way to compress or shrink the database size by removing all whites spaces from the storage space running eseutil.
The Exchange database EDB file must be in the dismounted state before beginning the defragmentation process. While your EDB file is under defrag process, you will not be able to access that Mailbox. Your system must have enough hard drive space because, during the defrag procedure, a new file gets created and the old file and temporary file, all three exist in the system.

How to perform Offline defragmentation in Exchange server?

1. To start offline defragment in Exchange server, run the following command in exchange management shell to dismount the Exchange mailbox.

 

2. Run Eseutil to defrag Exchange EDB file

 

3. After performing defragmentation, run the command to again mount the database.

These procedures remove all the white spaces from the selected database and shrank the EDB file. The main disadvantage of using this process is that it is a little slow procedure and mailbox becomes inaccessible during the period of defragmentation.

4. Take backup of data or change the location of database and delete it from server

You can take the backup of the data for future use by using windows server backup utility. After that, you can delete the copy from the server to free the space. Hence, you can utilize the memory for new incoming data on the server.

Conclusion:

Above mentioned methods are the optimal solution to increase the storage capacity of Exchange server. And also minimizes huge exchange database file so that it does not interfere with new data entry in EDB file. If the problem is not solved then corrupted EDB files are the cause of the error. You can use a professional tool to convert EDB to PST file format to access Exchange database files.