Exchange PowerShell exports mailbox data to a PST file with New-MailboxExportRequest. Microsoft documents the cmdlet for Exchange 2010 through Subscription Edition. Setup needs the Mailbox Import Export role, a network share and share permission for the Exchange Trusted Subsystem group. Parameter IncludeFolders narrows the export to chosen folders. Microsoft shows no contacts example.
Microsoft documents no cmdlet that exports only contacts. New-MailboxExportRequest exports a mailbox to a PST file and the IncludeFolders parameter narrows the result to selected folders.
Facts follow the Microsoft Learn pages Exporting a mailbox to PST in Exchange Server and New-MailboxExportRequest. Microsoft documents the cmdlet for on-premises servers only.
What Must You Prepare Before the Export?
- Role. Export needs the Mailbox Import Export role. Microsoft states that no role group has this role by default. Add it to a role group like Organization Management. Log off and log on again after the role assignment.
- Network share. Microsoft requires a UNC path like \\SERVER01\PSTFiles. Folders on the local server use the form \\LocalServerName\c$.
- Share permission. Exchange Trusted Subsystem needs Read and Write permission on the share to save PST files. Without it the export fails with a connection error.
How to Export Contacts to PST With PowerShell?
Microsoft shows the export of a full mailbox and the export of selected folders. Contacts follow the same pattern as the Inbox example.
New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox "Valeria Barrios" -FilePath \\SERVER01\PSTFiles\Vbarrios.pst
New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox Kweku -IncludeFolders "#Inbox#" -FilePath \\SERVER01\PSTFileShare\Kweku\InPlaceHold.pst
New-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox Kweku -FilePath "\\SERVER01\PSTFileShare\Kweku_Archive.pst" -IsArchiveMicrosoft names well-known folders as #FolderName#. Its example uses #Inbox# and never names #Contacts#. Using -IncludeFolders "#Contacts#" is an inference from that pattern. Test it on one mailbox before you use it for many.
Wildcards do not work in folder names. Microsoft states that the Recoverable Items folder is always included unless you add -ExcludeDumpster.
How to Check the Export Status?
Get-MailboxExportRequest -Mailbox "Valeria Barrios" | Format-List Name,FilePath,Mailbox,Status
Get-MailboxExportRequestStatistics -Identity "Valeria Barrios\MailboxExport"Remove a finished request with Remove-MailboxExportRequest. Exchange removes completed requests after 30 days by default. Failed requests remain until you remove them or set RequestExpiryInterval.
Is There a Way Without PowerShell?
Yes. In the Exchange admin center select Recipients, Mailboxes, More options and Export to a PST file. Select the mailbox or archive and enter the UNC path. This path exports the entire mailbox and shows no contacts option.
What does Microsoft Not Say?
Microsoft does not state a PST size limit. It does not say whether Outlook must be installed on the server. Exports execute through the Microsoft Exchange Mailbox Replication service.
Pages list Exchange 2010 through Subscription Edition. Exchange 2007 appears nowhere on them, although older posts use other commands for it. Microsoft documents no contacts-only export. Exchange Online uses different tools that these pages do not describe.
Related reading: Exchange Server disaster recovery plan and how to create a PST file in Outlook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which PowerShell Command Exports Exchange Contacts to PST?
New-MailboxExportRequest exports a mailbox to PST and IncludeFolders narrows it. Microsoft shows an Inbox example and no contacts example.
Why does the Export Fail With a Share Error?
Exchange Trusted Subsystem has no permission on the network share. Microsoft names this as the cause of the connection error.
Does the Export Need a Network Path?
Yes. Microsoft requires a UNC path in the FilePath parameter.
Can You Export an Archive Mailbox?
Yes. Add the IsArchive switch to the command.
Is a PST Size Limit Documented?
No. Microsoft pages state no size limit.
Key Takeaways
- New-MailboxExportRequest saves Exchange mailbox data in a PST file.
- Setup starts with the Mailbox Import Export role and a share that Exchange Trusted Subsystem can use.
- FilePath needs a UNC path.
- IncludeFolders narrows the export and Microsoft shows only an Inbox example.
- Microsoft documents no contacts-only export.
Sources and References
Facts follow Microsoft Learn.
- Exporting a mailbox to PST in Exchange Server (Microsoft Learn) learn.microsoft.com
- New-MailboxExportRequest (Microsoft Learn) learn.microsoft.com