We recently encountered a critical disaster scenario involving one of our SMB clients (around 80 users) whose Exchange Server 2016 (on-premises) was encrypted in a ransomware attack. The entire Exchange volume, including the following, was encrypted:
- Transaction logs
- IIS and Exchange system folders
The Active Directory and offline EDB file remained unaffected, which was a huge relief. We performed isolation and comprehensive malware scanning and confirmed that AD and domain controllers were clean. Unfortunately, the Exchange Server was unsalvageable—no viable backups existed for the databases or the logs.
The only option was to rebuild Exchange server from scratch on a fresh Windows Server VM joined to the same domain.
Why We Chose Stellar Repair for Exchange
This wasn’t my first time using Stellar Repair for Exchange. I had previously used this Exchange Recovery software in two major incidents:
- Ransomware attack on an Exchange Server 2013 where log files were completely lost.
- Database corruption caused by an incomplete Cumulative Update installation, resulting in a non-mountable .edb file.
In both cases, Stellar Repair for exchange successfully extracted mailbox data from the EDB files and exported it into PST format, even without logs or an operational Exchange environment. Based on this experience, it became my go-to tool for recovery scenarios involving non-mountable or corrupted .edb files.
Recovery Steps Taken
Here’s a breakdown of how we executed the recovery process using Stellar in this incident:
1. Provisioned a Fresh Exchange Server
- Deployed a new Windows Server VM.
- Joined it to the existing domain.
- Installed prerequisites and prepared for a Recovery Install using /m:RecoverServer.
2. Evaluated the Offline EDB file
- Copied the .edb file from the compromised server
- Ran Stellar Repair for Exchange in Extensive Scan Mode.
- The tool recognized the database structure and listed recoverable mailboxes in its preview pane.
3. Extracted Data to PSTs
- Recovered data from individual mailboxes, including:
- Emails with original metadata (sender, date/time, folder structure)
- Attachments
- Calendars, Contacts, and Tasks
- Exported each mailbox to an individual PST file using the built-in export feature.
4. Restored Mailboxes to Users
- Imported PSTs via Outlook’s Import Wizard and drag-and-drop where needed.
- For power users, configured Outlook with the rebuilt Exchange profile and added the recovered PSTs as secondary data files.
Product Features That Stood Out
| Feature | Description |
| No Dependence on Logs | Stellar does not require transaction logs, making it ideal for post-ransomware or backup-failure scenarios. |
| Granular Recovery | Recover individual mailboxes, folders, or even single messages. |
| Preview Before Recovery | Quickly verifies whether mailboxes are recoverable before purchasing or committing time. |
| Export Options | PST, EML, MSG, and direct export to Live Exchange or Office 365 (licensed versions). |
| Corruption Handling | Supports recovery from both minor and severe .edb corruption using Quick and Extensive scan modes. |
Best Practices for Exchange Server Recovery
- Always attempt a recovery preview before purchasing. Stellar Repair for Exchange trial version allows you to see what mailboxes are recoverable.
- If using /m:RecoverServer:
- Ensure you match the original Exchange build and CU level exactly.
- Patch the new server before restoring services.
- Use a dedicated volume for exporting PSTs to avoid I/O bottlenecks.
- Consider archiving mailboxes in smaller PSTs (under 50GB) to maintain Outlook stability post-recovery.
Final Thoughts:
Absolutely. In scenarios where Exchange recovery is urgent, backups are missing, and .edb files are your last resort, Stellar Repair for Exchange is the most reliable and capable tool I’ve worked with. Its ease of use, clean UI, and robust recovery engine make it a crucial part of any Exchange server recovery workflow.
Whether you’re an MSP, internal IT team, or incident response professional, this is a tool you’ll want in your arsenal.
