How to Delete a Mailbox From Exchange Server?

Read time 7 minutes

Occasionally, you may encounter a scenario where two similar mailboxes coexist within the same Exchange Database. Typically, one mailbox is actively used while the other lies dormant, and you have the option to eliminate the redundant mailbox using the “remove-mailbox” cmdlet. It’s vital to note that when you delete a mailbox from the Exchange database, the associated user information is also removed from the Active Directory. Therefore, if your intention is solely to deactivate the user’s mailbox, you should opt to disable it instead.

Process to disable the user mailbox in Exchange database

Here is the brief procedure of disabling the user mailbox from the Exchange database:

1. Log in to the Exchange Admin Center with the Administrator credentials.
2. Under recipients, go to mailboxes, select the user mailbox to be disabled, click more (•••) and click Disable.
   
3. A warning message will appear. Click Yes.
   
4. The user mailbox will disappear from the list; and after the expiry of the retention period, the mailbox will be deleted permanently.
   

You can disable a mailbox using Exchange PowerShell command:

When you run the command, it will ask you confirm your action. After confirmation, it will delete the mailbox.

Within the Exchange environment, the accidental deletion of valuable mailboxes is a potential concern. Fortunately, Exchange Server offers built-in methods for recovering deleted data. Alternatively, you can enlist the help of a specialized professional tool capable of managing both healthy and corrupted Exchange data, securely storing it in an alternate location or another platform. This tool also proves invaluable for safeguarding mailboxes by creating backups before removal from the Exchange database.

Exchange Recovery is a powerful utility designed to eliminate any form of corruption within the Exchange database, seamlessly restoring every mailbox and its complete contents. Below, you’ll find a straightforward guide on utilizing the Kernel for Exchange Server for this purpose:

1. Run the software and click the Offline EDB option.
   
2. Select the first option of Offline EDB file and click the Next button.
   
3. Browse the EDB file from its location. If you are unaware of its location, then use the search button. After selecting the file, click Next.
   
4. Select among Standard Scan or Deep Scan mode. Click Next.
   
5. The EDB file is successfully added as the source file. Click Finish.
   
6. After selecting the source EDB file, you can get the preview of any mailbox item with the help of the Preview button on the right. After checking the preview, click the PST file option on the destination pane.
   
7. Select the option of Create new PST File. Then click Next.
   
8. Provide a location and a name to the PST file. Then click Next.
   
9. A new PST file is successfully created and selected as the destination.
   
10. Now you can easily either copy-paste or drag-&-drop the messages from source EDB to the destination PST.
    
11. After exporting the data, the tool provides a message containing complete export details.
    
12. After exporting, you can see the messages in the destination folder.
    

Conclusion

Managing undesired mailboxes in the database can present a significant challenge for an Exchange Administrator. Fortunately, these mailboxes can be removed without affecting the associated user accounts. Prior to deletion, you have the option to safeguard their data by effortlessly creating a PST file using the Exchange mailbox recovery tool. This user-friendly tool simplifies the entire recovery process, making it accessible even to individuals without technical expertise. Exporting EDB to PST files can be completed within a matter of minutes, streamlining the entire procedure.

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