How to copy a selection of mailboxes in exchange 2013 to external hardrive?

Hi,

best thing to do would be to export data from mailbox to .pst file, since you cannot just copy mailbox, as it is located inside a database.

To export data to .pst, directly from server, run command from Exchange shell:
New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox <username> -FilePath "\\ServerName\SomeName.pst"

Regards,
Ivan.

You can use the command New-MailboxExportRequest and specify that you want to save your mailboxes as .pst in a network share.

You can see the entire process here (As far as it requires permission assignment and other prerequisites):
https://www.stellarinfo.com/blog/how-to-export-exmailboxes-to-pst/

Using the New-MailboxExportRequest cmdlet you can export a set of chosen mailboxes to PST on the external drive.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff607299(v=exchg.150).aspx

If you use something like -

$Mailboxes = Get-Mailbox -OrganizationalUnit Users

You can loop through the mailboxes to generate the export request for each one -

foreach($M in $Mailboxes){ New-MailboxExportRequest $M ... }

Yep.  Use the New-MailboxExportRequest command.  You can be as broad or as granular as you need.

Alternately, if you prefer self-induced pain, there is always the option of performing an export through Outlook.

Here are some good references...

• https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff607299(v=exchg.150).aspx
• http://www.codetwo.com/admins-blog/exchange-mailbox-backup-pst-pros-cons/

PST is the easiest way to do it. Wondering to know if there is another method as easier.

I thought schnellsolutions solution was very well detailed & very accurate thank you