Applies to: Exchange Server 2007 SP3, Exchange Server 2007 SP2, Exchange Server 2007 SP1, Exchange Server 2007
Topic Last Modified: 2007-01-02

This topic explains how to use the Exchange Management Console or the Exchange Management Shell to remove a mailbox database.

Before You Begin

To perform the following procedures, the account you use must be delegated the following:

  • Exchange Server Administrator role and local Administrators group for the target server

For more information about permissions, delegating roles, and the rights that are required to administer Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, see Permission Considerations.

Also, be aware that, if you want to remove the Exchange database (.edb) file on which the database is stored from the hard drive, you must remove it manually.

Procedure

To use the Exchange Management Console to remove a mailbox database

  1. Start the Exchange Management Console.

  2. In the console tree, expand Server Configuration, and then click Mailbox.

  3. In the work pane, expand the storage group that contains the mailbox database, and then click the mailbox database you want to remove.

  4. In the action pane, click Remove.

  5. A warning appears asking if you are sure you want to remove the mailbox database. Click Yes.

  6. When the dialog box appears stating that the database was removed successfully, note the location of the Exchange database (.edb) file. If you want to remove this file from the hard drive, you must remove it manually. Click OK.

To use the Exchange Management Shell to remove a mailbox database

  1. Run the following command:

    Copy Code 
    Remove-MailboxDatabase -Identity <Database_Name>

  2. When you are prompted about whether you are sure that you want to perform the action, type Y.

  3. When the warning appears stating that the database was removed successfully, note the location of the Exchange database (.edb) file. If you want to remove this file from the hard drive, you must remove it manually.

For detailed syntax and parameter information, see the Remove-MailboxDatabase reference topic.

For More Information

For more information about managing databases, see Managing Storage Groups and Databases.