Export Restored Mailbox Data with Microsoft Purview eDiscovery
Question details
Export restored mailbox data after the retirement of the In-Place eDiscovery workflow.
- Product
- Microsoft Purview eDiscovery
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user needs to search a mailbox and download matching messages without first copying them to a discovery mailbox.
- Observed behavior
- The desired result is an export of matching mailbox messages as a PST file or individual messages, including recoverable items when applicable.
Confirm that you have access to the relevant mailbox and the eDiscovery permissions needed to search and export content. Identify the mailbox and any date ranges or keywords that will help locate the restored messages.
Search and export mailbox data in Microsoft Purview eDiscovery
Use this method to download matching mailbox content without copying search results to a discovery mailbox.
Go to the Microsoft Purview portal, sign in with an authorized account, and open eDiscovery. Create or open a case.
In the case, open Searches and create a search. Select the relevant mailbox as a data source, add any keywords or date conditions, and run the search.
Open the completed search and select Export. Choose the available output options, such as PST files or individual messages, and submit the export.
Open the case's Exports area, select the completed export, and follow the Download instructions shown in the portal.
Open the PST in Outlook through File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File, or inspect the downloaded individual messages. Check that the expected messages are present.
Work with Office documents alongside your eDiscovery export
WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative for working with Office documents. Its familiar interface and format compatibility make it easy to migrate document workflows, but it does not replace Microsoft Purview or export mailbox data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to copy search results to a discovery mailbox before exporting?
No. In Microsoft Purview eDiscovery, run the search and use the Export action on the completed search to prepare the results for download.
What if I cannot see the expected Recoverable Items in the export?
Confirm that the mailbox contains the recoverable messages, then review the search's mailbox scope and conditions. Inspect the exported messages as well as the folder names, since their presentation can vary.
Why can't I export an eDiscovery search?
Check that the search has completed and that your account has the required eDiscovery and export permissions. Ask your Microsoft 365 administrator to review your role assignments if the Export action is unavailable.
How do I open an exported PST file?
In Outlook, select File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File, then choose the downloaded PST file.
