Stellar Converter for EDB 12.2.0.0

Purpose and positioning

Stellar Converter for EDB is a utility designed to extract mailbox data from Microsoft Exchange database (EDB) files and convert it into Outlook PST files or other common formats. The product targets Exchange administrators and IT professionals who need to access mailbox contents from offline or hosted Exchange databases, perform mailbox migrations to live Exchange servers or Microsoft 365, or generate PST exports for archival and recovery scenarios.

Core functionality

The application scans EDB files and presents mailbox contents for selective export. Conversion options include saving mailboxes to PST, exporting directly to a live Exchange server, and exporting to Microsoft 365. Additional save formats listed include EML, MSG, HTML, RTF, and PDF. The tool also supports conversion of archive mailboxes and public folders, enabling preservation of a broader set of mailbox artifacts beyond primary user mailboxes.

Key features and workflow

Several capabilities are emphasized in product materials and reflected in the offered workflow. The software locates and opens either offline or hosted EDB files, scans to enumerate mailboxes and items, and provides a preview of mailbox contents prior to saving. Preview options are described as flexible, with multiple display modes such as floating, docking, tabbed document, auto hide, and hide, intended to facilitate selection of specific items for export.

• Parallel processing: The software can process up to eight mailboxes concurrently, using a parallel processing technique to handle multiple mailboxes in the same session.
• Mailbox prioritization: A queue-based priority feature allows selection of conversion order so particular mailboxes can be exported first.
• Selective conversion and search: Detailed preview and item-level selection are supported, along with search filters for fields such as To, From, Cc, Subject, Body, Attachment Name, Importance, and Item Type. Search preferences include Any Criteria, Exact Match, and Both.
• Direct export targets: Options include exporting converted mailboxes to a live Exchange Server, to Microsoft 365, or to public folders on Exchange or Office 365.
• Multiple formats: Conversion to PST is the primary function; EML, MSG, HTML, RTF, and PDF are supported as alternate output formats.

Handling of large databases and file management

Materials describe the product as capable of extracting mailbox components from large offline EDB files and converting them into corresponding PST files while maintaining the original format of items. When a resulting PST exceeds a stated size threshold, the product can automatically split the PST into smaller parts up to a specified maximum (a 45 GB split point is indicated in product documentation). The description also indicates there is no explicit file-size limitation for converting large EDB files.

Export to Exchange and Microsoft 365

Stated functionality includes direct export of mailboxes from an offline EDB file to a live Exchange server without manual reconfiguration of user accounts. During export, the tool can auto-map converted mailboxes to destination mailboxes, and a manual mapping option is also available for matching source and destination entries. For Microsoft 365 exports, automatic mailbox mapping is mentioned alongside a manual mapping alternative and options to export single or multiple mailboxes with priority ordering and advanced filtering of items.

Operational features and administrative controls

The product documentation highlights an activity log for administrators to monitor the conversion process and the ability to remove and resume mailboxes in the processing queue. For hosted or connected mailbox exports, there is a reference to a Server Console executable to grant full mailbox rights to disconnected mailboxes, and an option to refresh disconnected mailboxes after permissions are granted.

Usability and interface considerations

Usability is framed around a stepwise workflow: selecting hosted or offline mode, browsing or searching for the EDB file, scanning, previewing mailboxes and items, selecting items to convert, and choosing a save/export option. The preview facility and search capabilities are presented as primary aids for selecting the required mailboxes and items prior to export. A free trial version is indicated for scanning and previewing converted mailboxes, which suggests a means for administrators to verify results without performing a full save operation first.

Practical applications and target use cases

The software is positioned for tasks such as migrating mailboxes from offline Exchange databases into PST files for import into Outlook profiles, exporting mailboxes to a live Exchange environment or Microsoft 365 for migration projects, extracting archive mailboxes and public folders, and locating specific messages within an EDB for legal, compliance, or recovery purposes. The ability to prioritize mailboxes and process multiple mailboxes simultaneously is intended to support operations where critical accounts require expedited handling or where bulk exports are needed without overburdening Exchange server resources.

Supported output and viewing options

Output in PST format enables use with Microsoft Outlook, while EML and MSG outputs allow viewing via Outlook Express or Outlook respectively. HTML, RTF and PDF outputs provide alternatives for use with web browsers or standard document viewers and editors. These format options provide flexibility for organizations with varied workflows for archival, e-discovery, or offline access to mailbox contents.