Moving the Archive

It is possible to move an existing MailStore Server archive to a new hard-disk, machine or network-share at any time. What is required to successfully move an archive is described in the following sections.

Moving the Archive to an External Hard-Disk

To move the MailStore Server archive to a new location, proceed with these steps:


  • Stop the MailStore Server service, either through the MailStore Server Service Configuration or the service control panel or by executing the command 'net stop "MailStore Server"' from the command-line.
  • Copy the archive directory (default: C:\MailArchive) and all subdirectories to the new location. Directory structure must be preserved.
  • Run the MailStore Server Service Configuration utility and change the directory of the "Master Database" to the new location.
  • Start the MailStore Server service again, either through the MailStore Server Service Configuration or the service control panel or by executing the command 'net start "MailStore Server"' from the command-line.

Notice: Please be aware, that the throughput of the external hard-disk may have a negative impact on the performance of MailStore Server.

Please note: Archive stores that are not stored in a relative path to the master database are to be re-attached or modified after moving the archive. Details about managing archive stores are available in chapter Storage Locations of the MailStore Server manual.

Moving the Archive to a New Machine

To move the MailStore Server archive to a new machine including all users, settings and emails follow these steps:

  • Stop the MailStore Server service on the current machine, either trough the MailStore Server Service Configuration or the service control panel or by executing the command 'net stop "MailStore Server"' from the command-line.
  • Copy the directory "MailArchive" and all file-groups that exist on the current machine to the new machine. Directory structure should be preserved.
  • Uninstall MailStore Server on the current machine. Use Add/Remove Programs available in the control panel.
  • Install MailStore Server on the new machine. Run the MailStore Server Service Configuration utility, stop the MailStore Server service and change the directory of the "Master Database" to the new location.
  • If you have any client-sided scheduled tasks, export the SSL certificate and private key (usually packaged in a PKCS#12 file) with the common name "MailStore Server" from the machines certificate store and import it to the same location on the new machine.
  • Start Mailstore Server and activate the installation by entering the 25-digit activation key or install the license file you received after purchasing MailStore Server.
  • Now set up the scheduled tasks again.

Please note: Archive stores that are not stored in a relative path to the master database are to be re-attached or modified after moving the archive. Details about managing archive stores are available in chapter Storage Locations of the MailStore Server manual.

Moving the Archive onto a NAS-share

When moving an already running Installation, only the databases and container files are moved onto the NAS-share. The MailStore Server program itself remains at its original location.

The descriptions from the article Using Network Attached Storage (NAS) are analogical. The following steps are required to move the archive:

  • Stop the MailStore Server service on the current machine, either trough the MailStore Server Service Configuration or the service control panel or by executing the command 'net stop "MailStore Server"' from the command-line.
  • Create a backup of your MailStore Server archive.
  • Create a new share on the NAS-system.
  • Either grant the MailStore Server machine account or a user with administrative privileges on the MailStore Server machine read-/write-permissions on that newly created share.
  • If you granted the permissions to a user object, make sure the MailStore Server Service is executed under the scope of that user object.
  • Move all files from the original archive folder to the share.
  • Open the MailStore Server Service Configuration and set the path to the MailStore Server Master-Database to the UNC path of the share e.g. \\computer\myshare\...
  • Start the MailStore Server service again, either through the MailStore Server Service Configuration or the service control panel or by executing the command 'net start "MailStore Server"' from the command-line.