EDB aka Exchange Database file is the main repository of Exchange Server database, designed on single client-server architecture. Microsoft Exchange server makes use of Extensible Storage Engine in order to access its data. This EDB file includes the entire data components like email messages, folders, attachments.

• Full Form of EDB is Extensible Storage Engine (ESE) Database File (EDB), stores the entire mailbox data which includes messages, emails, contacts, calendars, task, notes, and journals.
• Extensible Storage Engine (ESE), sometimes referred as JET Blue, is used by Exchange Server to store and retrieve EDB data.
• EDB File is also known as MAPI-based database since it stores the messages submitted by MAPI clients (Outlook). Moreover, SMTP and HTTP messages are saved in this rich-text database.
• Exchange database is made up of one or more B-trees for quick access.
• Exchange Server 2003 and 2000 use priv1.edb (private folder) and pub1.edb (public folder) to store data. However, multi-media files get stored in STM (streaming database).
• Exchange Server 2007/2010 introduced mailbox database.edb in lieu of priv1.edb and Public Folder Database.edb in lieu of pub1.edb. Besides, STM file was removed from Exchange 2007.
• Exchange Server 2013 merged private and public folder in a file named Mailbox database name.
• Recovery Mode: EDB File can be repaired by command-line utilities ESEUTIL & ISINTEG.

The EDB file belongs to the category of Database Files.

Microsoft Exchange Server

Microsoft introduced Exchange Server in the year 1993. With the introduction of Exchange server, the EDB files came into existence.

Unspecified

hexadecimal: ef cd ab 89 (at offset 4)

The default location of EDB file depends of the version of Exchange Sever installed in the user machine. For each version, the default location will be different:

Exchange Server 2000 & 2003

• C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\MDBDATA\Priv1.edb
• C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\MDBDATA\Pub1.edb

Exchange Server 2007

• C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\Mailbox\First Storage Group\Mailbox Database.edb
• C:\Program\Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\Mailbox\First Storage Group\Public Folder Database name.edb

Exchange Server 2010

• C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V14\Mailbox Database\Mailbox Database.edb
• C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V14\Public Folder Database\Public Folder Database.edb

Exchange Server 2013

• C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server\V15\Mailbox\Mailbox database name

1. Manual Method: EDB File can be opened Manually using EDB File supporting platforms like MS Exchange Server. To open EDB file in Exchange you need to mount EDB Files on Exchange Server.
   
   
2. Free Software or Tool