Exporting a disconnected mailbox from an Exchange Server database is a common request for many administrators. A disconnected mailbox, also called an orphaned mailbox, is not linked to an Active Directory user account. These mailboxes remain in the database until they are manually removed or their retention period expires.
One widely used method to export a mailbox from Microsoft Exchange is the New-MailboxExportRequest command in PowerShell, which can export mailbox data, including emails, contacts, and calendar entries, to a PST file.
However, when a mailbox is disconnected, it still exists in the mailbox database but has no associated user account. Since the export process requires a linked user to establish a connection, using the New-MailboxExportRequest command in such cases will fail. This makes it inefficient to attempt a direct export without first reconnecting the mailbox or using a tool like EdbMails, which can access and export disconnected mailboxes without the need for a mapped user account.
Export a disconnected Exchange mailbox to Outlook PST
How to Find the Disconnected Mailboxes in Exchange Server 2013, 2016, and 2019
In Exchange Server 2013, 2016, and 2019, you can locate and reconnect disconnected mailboxes easily through the Exchange Admin Center (EAC) or using PowerShell.
Using Exchange Admin Center (EAC):
- Log in to the Exchange Admin Center as a global administrator.
- Navigate to Recipients > Mailboxes.
- Click the menu icon (three dots) below the mailbox list and select Connect a mailbox.
- Choose the disconnected mailbox from the available list and click Connect.
Using PowerShell:
Run the following command in Exchange Management Shell (EMS) to list disconnected mailboxes:
Get-MailboxDatabase | Get-MailboxStatistics | Where-Object { $_.DisconnectDate -ne $null }Export a disconnected mailbox using the following technique:
Create a temporary user in Active Directory Users and Computers. As shown in the example image, I have created a new user named ‘New user’.
- Open Exchange Management Console.
- Expand Recipient Configuration and select Disconnected Mailbox.
- Locate and select the mailbox you want to recover. Then right-click the mailbox and choose Connect.
- Tick Existing User. Then, under Existing User, click Browse and select the temporary user you created.
- Enter an Alias for the mailbox and click Next.
- Finally, click the Connect button.
Once the temporary user is created and linked to the disconnected mailbox, the mailbox will be reconnected successfully. After this, you can export the mailbox to a PST file using the Exchange Management Shell with the New-MailboxExportRequest command.
Note that the New-MailboxExportRequest command is available only in Microsoft Exchange 2010 and later versions. After exporting the mailbox, make sure to disable the mailbox in the Exchange environment and delete the temporary user to keep your system clean.
During the export process, you might face errors such as “Couldn’t connect to the source mailbox.” Common causes include firewall settings blocking necessary ports or services, and the MAPI protocol being enabled, which can prevent connection. To avoid this, ensure firewall rules allow Exchange communication and disable MAPI if required.
You can check if MAPI is enabled by right-clicking the mailbox in the Exchange Management Console and reviewing its properties. Alternatively, use the Exchange Management Shell with the Get-CASMailbox command to verify MAPI status.
Conclusion :
EdbMails EDB to PST Converter is the ideal solution for saving time and avoiding errors when exporting disconnected mailboxes. Manual methods can be complex and prone to mistakes, risking your data and effort. With EdbMails’ simple, intuitive interface, even users without technical skills can easily recover and export mailboxes. It supports a wide range of Exchange versions—from 2003 to 2016—ensuring smooth, reliable mailbox export and recovery every time. Choosing EdbMails means a faster, safer way to manage your Exchange data.
