We are having problem with exchange database file, it is growing fast. How to remove or purge all deleted emails which are deleted atleast 10 days or older all deleted mails, they are still showing as part of the database. Thank you very much for the helpful info.

Hi, Check if the online defragment is working proper or not, in case its not you might has to intend the maintenance window in order to let in complete or ypu can dismount the store & run offline defrag by using ESEUtil, format : eseutil /d <database_name> [options] have a look into this article for more details : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/192185 Look for event ID 1221 for free space in database article : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/186291 Ripu Daman Mina | MCSE 2003 & MCSA Messaging

Agreed or else buy any third party tool which will shrink the DB without taking it offline.Raj

Hi cplusplus1, We are having problem with exchange database file, it is growing fast. How to remove or purge all deleted emails which are deleted atleast 10 days or older all deleted mails, they are still showing as part of the database. Thank you very much for the helpful info. Exchange defrag themself every day. Have a look the event 1221. There you can see if there is free space in the database. If so you can do a offline defrag: http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B328804&x=0&y=0 Best regards Christian

I do see 1221 event id, exchange server is doing online defrag everyday around 2AM, but still i see the database size growing crazy. I suspect the deleted files and junk files all staying on the database, how to purge all files which are older than 10 days after delete. even that check box i verified is checked. Thank you all for the helpful info.

I suspect the deleted files and junk files all staying on the database, how to purge all files which are older than 10 days after delete. Hi cplsplus1, I guess you are using Exchange 2003. Are you talking about the mails in the Deleted Item folder? If yes, you can run Mailbox management recipient policies to delete them. Details information: How to use recipient policies to control mailboxes in Exchange 2000 and Exchange 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319188/en-us The online defragment will purge mails which you hard delete it or you delete it in Delete item. Maybe you should also find whose mailbox is growing crazy.Try to set limitation on it.Frank Wang