Top Features of Stellar Toolkit for Exchange

Stellar Toolkit for Exchange: Complete Setup Guide—

Stellar Toolkit for Exchange is a comprehensive suite designed to help administrators and IT professionals recover, repair, and manage Microsoft Exchange Server mailboxes, databases, and related data. This guide covers preparation, installation, configuration, core features, step-by-step workflows for common tasks (like mailbox extraction and EDB recovery), best practices, troubleshooting, and maintenance tips to ensure smooth operation and successful data recovery.

What is Stellar Toolkit for Exchange?

Stellar Toolkit for Exchange is a Windows-based application that offers tools to repair corrupt Exchange EDB files, extract mailboxes, recover deleted emails, convert OST to PST, and perform granular exports to various formats (PST, EML, MSG, PDF). It supports multiple Exchange Server versions and works with both online (Live Exchange) and offline EDB files.

System Requirements

Supported OS: Windows ⁄₈.1/8/7, Windows Server 2019/2016/2012/2008 (64-bit recommended)
Processor: Intel-compatible (x64 recommended)
RAM: Minimum 4 GB (8 GB or more recommended)
Disk Space: Minimum 250 MB for installation; additional space for recovered data (depends on EDB size)
Microsoft Outlook: Recommended for PST-related operations (Outlook 2019/2016/2013/2010/2007)
Exchange Server: Supports Exchange Server 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007 (check vendor docs for latest compatibility)
Permissions: Administrative privileges required for certain operations (Live Exchange operations require Exchange admin role)

Installation

Download the installer from the official Stellar website (choose the version compatible with your Exchange/Windows).
Run the installer as an administrator.
Accept the license agreement and select installation folder.
Complete the setup and launch the application.

Activation and Licensing

Stellar Toolkit for Exchange is licensed per server or per user depending on edition.
Enter the license key during activation or use the trial for limited operations.
For full mailbox exports and large recoveries, ensure you have the appropriate license.

Interface Overview

The main interface typically shows modules such as:

Exchange Recovery
Mailbox Extractor from Live Exchange
Export to Office 365
OST to PST Converter
EDB to PST Converter

Each module provides a wizard-driven workflow for selecting source files, scanning, previewing recoverable items, and exporting results.

Common Use Cases & Step-by-Step Workflows

1) Recovering a Corrupt EDB File

Open Stellar Toolkit for Exchange → choose Exchange Recovery module.
Click “Select EDB” and browse to the offline EDB file.
Choose Quick Scan or Extensive Scan (Extensive for severe corruption).
Start the scan and wait for completion.
Preview recovered mailboxes and items.
Select mailboxes/items to export.
Export to PST or directly export to Live Exchange/Office 365 if licensed.

Tips:

Use Extensive Scan if Quick Scan fails to find expected items.
Make a copy of the EDB file before scanning.

2) Extracting Mailboxes from Live Exchange

Launch Mailbox Extractor module.
Connect to Live Exchange by providing server details and appropriate credentials.
Select mailboxes to export.
Choose output format (PST/EML/MSG/PDF).
Start the extraction and monitor progress.

Notes:

Ensure Exchange services are running and you have Exchange admin privileges.
Exporting large mailboxes may require significant disk space and time.

3) Converting OST to PST

Choose OST to PST Converter.
Browse and select the OST file.
Scan the file; preview items after scan.
Save recovered items to PST.

Export Options and Formats

PST — for Outlook import and mailbox consolidation.
EML/MSG — for individual message handling.
PDF — for legal archiving.
MBOX — for migration to other mail clients (if supported).
Direct export to Live Exchange or Office 365 (requires proper licensing and connectivity).

Best Practices

Always work on a copy of the EDB/OST file, never on production files.
Maintain regular backups of Exchange databases.
Use Extensive Scan only when necessary — it takes longer but recovers deeper corruption.
Ensure sufficient free disk space for exported PSTs.
Test exports with a small mailbox first to validate settings.
Keep the software updated; check release notes for compatibility updates.

Troubleshooting

Scan fails or crashes: Verify file integrity; try Quick Scan first, then Extensive. Run as administrator.
Permissions errors: Confirm Exchange administrative roles and Windows account privileges.
Missing items after recovery: Try Extensive Scan and check the preview thoroughly.
Export to Live Exchange fails: Confirm network connectivity, Exchange services, and credentials.

Maintenance and Updates

Regularly check Stellar’s site for updates and patches.
Monitor disk space and clear temporary export files.
Keep Outlook/Exchange server versions compatible with the toolkit.

Alternatives and When to Use Them

Native Exchange tools (Eseutil / Isinteg) for certain repairs — use when comfortable with command-line and lower-level fixes.
Microsoft Recovery Database (RDB) and mailbox restores from backups — preferred for intact backups.
Third-party tools (other vendors) — compare features, support, and pricing.

Task	Stellar Toolkit for Exchange	Native Tools
Deep EDB recovery	Strong GUI-driven recovery, preview	Eseutil/RDB are lower-level, less user-friendly
Mailbox extraction	Direct exports to PST/Office365	More manual, needs scripting
OST to PST	Built-in converter	Limited native options

Security Considerations

Keep recovered data in secure storage.
Use encrypted PSTs if storing sensitive mailboxes.
Ensure only authorized admins perform recoveries and exports.

Final Notes

Stellar Toolkit for Exchange is a powerful recovery and migration utility that simplifies complex Exchange data tasks with a GUI and multiple export options. For mission-critical environments, complement it with good backup practices and test recoveries periodically.