.edb file extension

.edb

1. Extensible Storage Engine database page file.

The Extensible Storage Engine (ESE) is a multi-user, indexed table manager. It is a database format used by a number of Microsoft Windows applications and components. The typical file extension of the database page file is .edb.

This is the file format used by Microsoft Exchange, Windows Update, Windows search and some other windows components.

For more information see:

• http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb310772.aspx - Information on the Extensible Storage Engine Architecture.
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms683068%28EXCHG.10%29.aspx - Extensible Storage Engine Files; lists other file types associated with the Extensible storage engine.
• http://everything.explained.at/Extensible_Storage_Engine - Extensible Storage Engine Explained.

2. Microsoft Exchange Server database file. Used by Microsoft Exchange server to manage emails and other user data associated with Exchange. Exchange uses (separate) .edb files to manage both its public and private stores.

For each .edb file there should be an accompanying .stm file.

3. Windows Update data store file. File used by Microsoft Window "Windows Update".

The file typically used by Windows Update is:

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\DataStore.edb

Windows update can generate some temporary files, typically named similar to:

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\tmp.edb

but be aware that there may be other files in that folder which are not temporary files.

4. XEphem database file.

For more information see:

• www.clearskyinstitute.com/xephem - Information on XEphem.
• www.mmto.org/obscats/edb.html - .edb file format information (from about a quarter of the way down the page)

5. Windows Search index database file.

The Windows search service maintains a database (using ESE), which is called Windows.edb and is located in the folder %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows, so typically C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows or C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Search\Data\Applications\Windows depending on the version of Windows. If the Windows Search service is stopped then this file can be deleted (together with the .log files which go with it), but it will be recreated automatically when the Windows Search service next starts and it will then take the service a little while to rebuild the file. Options associated with the Indexing service and the Windows.edb file can be found under "Indexing Options" in Control Panel.

Can you add to this? Do you know of any applications not already listed which will work with .edb files, view .edb files or open .edb files? Are you able to contribute any additional reference information or file format information about .edb files or have you spotted any errors or omissions? If so please let us know by emailing us at feedback@cryer.co.uk - Thank you.