What is EDB Database file?

Specifications of EDB File Format

Developer Microsoft
File Category Database Files
MIME Type Not Mentioned
File Format .edb
Platform Supported Windows
File Hex Signature ef cd ab 89 (at offset 4)

Full Form of EDB File

Extensible Storage Engine (ESE) Database File Format.

Brief Introduction about EDB Data Files

What is .edb file extension? - EDB file is primary repository for the mailbox data items. The .edb file extension stores entire mailbox data items including emails, contacts, tasks, calendars, journals and notes. The construction of EDB file format is designed in b-tree structure that is present in this file rather than .stm file. It is designed for quick access of multiple pages at once. The data items gets saved into 4 KB pages and these pages includes data, checksum, pointers, headers etc.

About Extensible Storage Engine

The Extensible Storage Engine is an advanced and sequential method to use the stored and retrieved data from tables. It supports few schemas that includes wide tables with many sparse and multi-valued columns, as well as sparse and rich indexes. While accessing the data, it enables to store the data for maximize the performance. The EDB Server allows to access the data from ESE (Extensible Storage Engine) and to store the database in hierarchical storage format that includes messages, folders and attachments, etc. These files stores the rich data (SMTP, MAPI and HTTPS messages) in each table and its properties varies. In addition, .edb file extension is accessed directly by ESE.

Types of EDB Database file

The previous editions of Exchange Server i.e. 2003 and 2000 that stores email messages in EDB File format. There are 2 types of .edb files and stores the attachment in separate file format named as STM.

  • Priv.edb These Database files that has only private data of users mailbox.
  • Pub.edb These data items keep up public or shared file folders of users mailbox.
  • .stm These files are used to save email attachments in personal file.

Location of EDB files

By default, the location of .edb file is based on the installed version of Exchange Server. The navigation of EDB file varies according to the different editions. Default path of EDB file on Server are mentioned below. In given locations, you can view exchange EDB file.

Location of EDB file 2000 & 2003

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

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

location 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

location 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

location of EDB 2013

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

Note: We have covered .edb file extension in the above section. Users need to check the binary format of these files while opening them within the Hex editor. Internal impacts of EDB file are not included publically through Microsoft.

The Extensible Storage Database File is used by multiple applications from Microsoft such as Microsoft Windows, MS Live Messenger, Microsoft Windows Mail, MS Windows Live Mail, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Desktop Search etc.

MIME types

The real MIME type of the EDB database file is unspecified.

How to rebuild and store EDB database files

During installation of Windows, Windows.EDB file takes huge utilization of space. Users can following these instructions to rebuild EDB database file and to save them.

  • Go to Settings option and then, searching for Indexing tab. After that open it.
  • Search Services >> Window search >> Stop
  • Remove all Windows.edb file.
  • Select Modify option from Indexing panel, and then choose Delete and Rebuild option for the index. Users allow to specify a particular drive to store the index.

Conclusion

EDB file are the most significant Database files that can be developed by Microsoft. Understanding the various aspects of file, we have presented the entire information to let the users understand about what is EDB file extension and its specification details. Also, we have discussed how to rebuild and store EDB database files.