As an Exchange admin, you’re bound to face situations where converting mailboxes from an EDB file becomes urgent. Whether due to offline database or planned migrations, having a dependable tool can save hours of manual effort and reduce downtime. I recently put Stellar Converter for EDB to the test in a live Exchange environment, and in this review, I’ll walk you through the actual experience, performance, and results.
Installation and Setup
The setup process was smooth and straightforward. After downloading the installer from Stellar’s official site, I completed the installation in under five minutes on a Windows machine. No additional configuration was required.
Once installed, the software launched without any issues. The interface was clean and modern, with a layout that felt familiar to Outlook users. This immediately gave me confidence that the tool was designed with practicality in mind.
Loading the EDB File
I tested the software using an offline EDB file from an Exchange 2016 environment. The file was over 30GB and included multiple user mailboxes. I selected the “Offline EDB” option, located the file, and let the software begin scanning.
The scanning process took around 10 minutes for the 30GB file, which is acceptable considering the size. Once completed, I was able to browse every mailbox within the database. The left-hand panel displayed the full folder structure, including inbox, sent items, calendar entries, contacts, and even journals.
Preview and Selective Export
The preview feature impressed me. I could click on any email and view its content instantly, including attachments, HTML formatting, and headers. This feature alone is worth noting as it gives you full control over what you want to export.
I chose to export only two specific mailboxes to PST format for this test. The selection process was simple checkboxes next to each mailbox made it easy to choose.
Export Process
The export to PST was quick and stable. I exported two full mailboxes with thousands of emails each, and the entire process took about 15 minutes. The PST files opened successfully in Outlook with no signs of corruption or missing data.
Additionally, I tested the export to Office 365 feature. The automatic mailbox mapping saved a lot of manual work. For one mailbox, I used the manual mapping option, which allowed precise control. Both methods worked as expected, and the export was completed without any hitches.
Parallel Processing and Performance
The tool allows exporting multiple mailboxes simultaneously. I tested parallel processing with four mailboxes at once. Despite the load, the software remained responsive, and there was no slowdown on the system. This is a major plus for admins managing larger databases or tight migration windows.
Additional Features
Some of the other noteworthy features include:
- Support for converting public folders and archive mailboxes
- Exporting to multiple formats including EML, MSG, HTML, and PDF
- Compatibility with Exchange versions from 5.5 to 2019
- Direct integration with Office 365 and live Exchange servers
I also liked that the software didn’t require Exchange to be installed on the system. You can extract mailboxes even if the server is no longer operational.
Editions and Licensing
Stellar Converter for EDB is available in different editions:
- Corporate I – Ideal for small to mid-sized businesses needing to convert up to 50 mailboxes
- Corporate II – Supports 500 mailbox conversions and advanced export options
- Toolkit Edition – Supports unlimited mailbox conversions Includes additional tools for Repair corrupt EDB, OST to PST Conversion, password recovery, and Exchange backup repair
Licensing is lifetime-based, and while the price might seem high for small teams, the features and time saved justify the investment for most professional environments.
Final Thoughts
After testing the tool in a real-world scenario, I can confidently say that Stellar Converter for EDB is a dependable, user-friendly and feature-rich solution for Exchange mailbox conversion and migration. Whether you’re performing routine mailbox conversion and extraction this tool handles it with ease and efficiency.
If you’re an Exchange admin or MSP looking for a streamlined way to extract or migrate mailboxes, this software deserves a spot in your toolkit.