Exchange server stores all the user mailbox data (mail items, including emails, contacts etc.) in edb database. It is always recommended to take regular backups of the exchange data so that if the exchange database gets corrupt or damaged due to any reason, you can restore the data back from exchange backup.
Exchange data backup can be taken with the help of in built backup utility (NTBackup.exe). The newer versions of exchange don’t support NTBackup utility. Thus, Microsoft backup application and third party tools are required to take database backup of current Exchange versions.
Exchange BKF file is stored with .bkf extension and includes .edb, .stm, and .log files of MS Exchange server.
EDB file: It contains the Exchange mailbox items such as: emails, contacts, attachments, Notes, Calendar Entries, sent items etc. It also stores the metadata related to emails and, the internal schema for the .stm pages.
.stm file: It is also known as a streaming media file. It contains the native Internet content and MIME format data.
Log files: These transaction log files contain all the information related to Exchange transactions or other activities performed on the Exchange database.
Like other files the Exchange BKF files can also get corrupt.
Some common reasons for Exchange corruption are:
Interrupted Backup process can cause BKF file corruption.
Malware/virus attack
If the Exchange BKF file header gets corrupt/ missing then, this can make it inaccessible.
Sudden system shutdown
Hardware crash
Unrecognized Media files
Improper system handling
Cyclic redundancy check errors or errors within the database objects etc.
Follow the given steps to restore Exchange mailbox from a corrupt BKF file?
Start the Exchange information store service (IIS). Check that if it has been running or not by simply: clicking-right on My Computer. Then go to Manage - >Services and Applications ->Services. You will find the Microsoft Exchange Information Store (IIS) listed under ‘Services’. Right click it and select start.
Dismount the mailbox store that is to be restored from backup. To do so, go to Exchange System Manager -> Administrative First Storage Group. From there, select the desired mailbox store and click Dismount Store.
Right click the Exchange database and open its Properties.
Go to Database tab and select the option “This database can be overwritten by a restore”.
Go to Start -> Programs ->Accessories -> System Tools -> and then select Backup.
Start the backup Restore Wizard. Go to advanced ->Tools tab -> Restore Wizard. Then click Next to run the Wizard.
This will open a ‘What to restore’ screen where you can choose your backup file that has been restored. In the ‘What to restore screen’ select your corrupt backup file.
Choose the mailbox store and log files to be restored and click Next.
Next you will be prompted to choose the location where the files have to be restored.
Under the ‘Restore To’ option, select your server name.
Select a temporary location for log and patch files and click Next.
Open the Exchange System Manager and mount the mail store. If the process couldn’t be accomplished successfully, then probably an error message will be prompted to the screen and thus the mail store couldn’t be mounted.
Suppose you have lost access to your Exchange database due to system crash/corruption or any other reason and you are left with an Exchange backup file only. Then simply you would restore the data back from the backup files. But what if the exchange back up file gets corrupt and couldn’t be mounted?
In such situation, you need to repair the file using some powerful Exchange BKF repair method. The Exchange BKF Recovery software are capable of efficiently repairing and recovering items from the corrupt BKF file and thus provides you access to mailboxes, storage groups, public folders, and other BKF file items that were turned unusable/inaccessible due to corruption.
Stellar Phoenix Exchange BKF Recovery Software
Most prominent features of an Exchange BKF Recovery software:
Fast and reliable Exchange bkf recovery: It let you repair the corrupt/damaged Exchange BKF file and retrieve all EDB, STM, and LOG files contained within it.
It let you search and find the Exchange Backup Files from specified location or volume.
Saves Scan Information: This feature makes the ‘Exchange backup recovery process’ more flexible and user friendly. The BKF file scan information is saved in a separate text file. If required, these saved Scan logs can be used to perform BKF recovery in future at any desired time.
Generates log report of the entire repair process: This feature let you save entire history &information related to the Exchange repair process and activities performed by the application. The information is stored in a text file format at the location specified by the user.
It let you efficiently repair the BKF files of any size. You can easily repair the large BKF files and retrieve all EDB, STM, and LOG files from it, in few clicks without any hindrance.
It let you save the repaired file at any desired location of your choice.
Easy to use and self guiding user interface that let you perform the repair process without any hassle.
It let you preview the repaired data before saving it.
Data integrity is maintained. The mail box items formatting, metadata and other related information is kept preserved.
These software Support the backup files from various Exchange versions. They must provide wide compatibility for various operating systems, Outlook & Exchange versions.
So, if you need to purchase an Exchange BKF Recovery software, then firstly have a through look at the product page. Carefully check the features of the software, company trustworthiness, help manuals, technical support, money back policies or other additional services provided by the company.
You must also check the software system requirements, specifications, support &compatibility. It would be a wise choice that before investing money at any software, first make a comparative study with the other available software from different software providers. The best will be the one that fits all your requirements and budget too.