Deleting Exchange databases

the technet way please check the following article ..


https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/exchange/database-availability-groups/remove-mailboxdatabasecopy?view=exchange-ps

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/exchange/database-availability-groups/update-mailboxdatabasecopy?view=exchange-ps

all the best

Do we have user on these db's? If yes, below are the preferred ways:

1) Repair the db.
2) If repair doesn't help, restore the db from backup. last best db backup.
3) If you don't have backup, then you can do dial-tone recovery, this way you will get all user back, without data. Later, you can use 3rd party tool to extract data from .edb to pst.

There are users on all of the DB's.  Can I backup the mailboxes delete the DB and then restore the mailboxes to a "clean" DB?

If users are present on db, Exchange won't allow you to delete it. If DB is mountable and can be accessed, you better move mailboxes to new db.
Or options, which i suggested above, are the right way to restore the users. However, this need advance level skill or experience. i advise you to open premier Microsoft case with Sev A. MS, will be able to give you the best route for your issue.

Check my KB also: https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/12324/How-to-Remove-First-or-Default-Exchange-2010-Database.html?headerLink=workspace_article

Hi there!

If you have a suspicious your DBs are corrupted why will you like to backup and restore?

You should create a new DB and move the mailboxes.  Once you finished the move of all mailboxes just delete/remove the old ones.

Must likely you have the possibility to have more than 2 DB.  I will suggest you to break them down to more DB by grouping mailboxes accordingly.  Having multiple DBs will improve future restore processes just make sure to mark the DB to be able to replace them by a restore.

Just remember:  you may find impossible to delete the DB containing the arbitration mailbox if you do not move it to another DB first.

Hope that helps!!

My intention was to backup the mailboxes only, not the entire database. Delete the database, create a new on and restore the mailboxes to it.

You cannot delete database with user present on it. Backing up data, doesn't mean you backed up the user. Your user reside in AD. As I already said earlier, you need MS support.

i understand, totally forgot about the AD connection, the mailboxes must be moved, understood

Thanks, my intention is to give you right solution with zero issue. Once you move the mailboxes, use my KB, which i share above, How to Remove First or Default Exchange 2010 Database: