Exchange 2013: Create Archive Database and Enable User Archive

This simple guide shows you how to create an archive database as well as enabling archiving on a user's mailbox. The database we are creating is a normal DB in Exchange 2013.

Open up the Exchange Admin Center:

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  • Step 1 -> Enter in the user that has access to create databases. E.g. Domain\username
  • Step 2 -> Enter in the password
  • Step 3 -> Click Sign in

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  • Step 1 -> In the EAC (Exchange Admin Center) click on Servers.
  • Step 2 -> Click on databases
  • Step 3 -> Click on the + button

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  • Once you have clicked the + button in the previous screen you will be presented with this window.

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  • Step 1 -> Enter a name for the Archive DB.
  • Step 2 -> Enter the Database file path.
  • Step 3 -> Enter the log folder path.
  • Step 4 -> Click the browse button to select a servers.

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  • Step 1 -> Select the server
  • Step 2 -> Click on OK.

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  • As you can see, the server is now shown in the text box.
  • Step 1 -> Click save to create the DB.

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  • Progress window.

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  • A warning will appear to restart the Information Store after the DB has been created.
  • Step 1 -> Click OK.

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  • As shown above, the Archive DB has been created.

Enable Archiving on a mailbox:

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  • Step 1 -> In the EAC, click on Recipients.
  • Step 2 -> Click on Mailboxes.
  • Step 3 -> Click on the user’s mailbox you want to enable archiving on.
  • Step 4 -> Click on the Enable button on the right hand side under In-Place Archive.

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  • The following window will show.
  • Click the Browse button.

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  • Step 1 -> Select the Archive Database we just created.
  • Step 2 -> Click OK.

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  • The DB will show as above after we selected it.
  • Take note that you need to have an enterprise CAL to use the Archiving Feature.
  • Step 1 -> Click OK.

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  • Progress screen.

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  • Back in the EAC you can now see that archiving has been enabled for the user.

Hope it helps.