Export Microsoft Purview
PST Files toRedactBox
Complete step-by-step guide for Microsoft 365 eDiscovery export and email redaction workflow
Process Overview
Common Use Cases
This workflow is essential for Subject Access Requests (SAR), Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, litigation holds, regulatory investigations, and compliance scenarios requiring email redaction before disclosure.
Why Use This Workflow?
Streamline your Microsoft Purview to RedactBox integration with these key benefits
Enterprise Security
Maintain compliance with enterprise-grade security throughout the export and redaction process
eDiscovery Integration
Seamlessly integrate with Microsoft Purview eDiscovery for legal and compliance workflows
Regulatory Compliance
Meet GDPR, FOIA, and other regulatory requirements for email disclosure
Prerequisites
What you need before starting the export process
eDiscovery Manager Permissions
You must be assigned to the eDiscovery Manager role group in Microsoft Purview, which includes the Export management role required to download search results.
Microsoft 365 Subscription
Your organization must have Microsoft 365 E3, E5, or equivalent subscription with Microsoft Purview eDiscovery capabilities enabled.
RedactBox Account
A RedactBox account (free to get started, pay only when you need more) to process and redact your exported PST or MBOX files.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed steps to export PST files from Microsoft Purview and import them into RedactBox
Access Microsoft Purview
Microsoft Purview is Microsoft 365's unified compliance and data governance platform that includes powerful eDiscovery capabilities for legal and compliance purposes.
Navigate to compliance.microsoft.com
Sign in with your Microsoft 365 account that has eDiscovery Manager permissions
Select "eDiscovery" from the Solutions menu
Click on "eDiscovery (Standard)" or "eDiscovery (Premium)" depending on your license
Create a new case or select an existing one
Cases help organize your eDiscovery work by matter, investigation, or request
Important Note
The classic eDiscovery experiences were retired on August 31, 2025. Use the new eDiscovery experience in the Microsoft Purview portal for all export operations.
Create Content Search
Define the search criteria to identify the specific emails you need to export for redaction.
Navigate to the "Searches" tab within your case
This is where you'll create and manage your content searches
Click "New search" and provide a descriptive name
Use meaningful names like "SAR-John-Smith-2024" for easy identification
Define locations to search
Select specific mailboxes, all Exchange mailboxes, or organizational groups
Add search conditions and keywords
Use date ranges, keywords, senders, recipients, or other criteria to narrow results
Run the search and review results
Verify the search captured the correct emails before proceeding to export
Search Tips
For SAR requests, search for the data subject's email address as both sender and recipient. For FOI requests, use keyword searches related to the request topic.
Export Search Results
Configure your export settings to download the search results in PST format.
Select your completed search
Ensure the search has finished running and results are available
Click "Actions" and select "Export results"
This opens the export configuration panel
Provide an export name
Use a descriptive name to identify this export later
Configure export options
Choose "All items, including ones with unrecognized format, encrypted, or weren't indexed" for complete export
Select PST format for Exchange content
Choose "One PST file per mailbox" or "One PST file containing all messages" based on your needs
Enable de-duplication if needed
This removes duplicate email messages from the export
Start the export
The system will prepare your export package in Azure storage
Download PST Files
Once the export is prepared, download the PST files to your local system.
Navigate to the "Exports" tab
View all export jobs and their status
Wait for export completion
Export processing time varies based on data volume - can take from minutes to several hours
Select your completed export
Click on the export name to view details
Click "Download packages"
Modern browsers will handle the download directly without additional tools
Save PST files to a secure location
Store downloaded files on an internal drive with appropriate security controls
Download Deadline
Export packages are available for download for 14 days. After this period, you'll need to recreate the export.
Import into RedactBox
RedactBox supports both PST and MBOX formats directly, so you can import your files immediately:
Log into RedactBox Console
Access your RedactBox account at console.redactbox.co.uk
Click the upload button in the top right corner
This will open the file upload interface
Select your PST or MBOX file
You can also drag and drop the file directly - both PST and MBOX formats are supported
Monitor upload and processing progress
Processing time varies based on file size and email count
View processed emails in the sidebar
Begin your redaction workflow once processing is complete
Next Steps
Once your files are uploaded to RedactBox, you can begin the redaction process. The platform provides AI-assisted redaction tools to help identify and redact personal information, ensuring compliance with your disclosure obligations.
When You'll Need This Workflow
Common scenarios where Microsoft Purview to RedactBox integration is essential
Subject Access Requests (SAR)
When individuals request their personal data under GDPR Article 15 or CCPA, you'll need to export their emails from Microsoft Purview and redact other people's personal information before providing the response.
Legal eDiscovery and Litigation
During legal proceedings, export relevant emails using Purview eDiscovery and redact privileged, confidential, or personal information before sharing with legal counsel or opposing parties.
Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests
Public sector organizations receiving FOI requests often need to export relevant emails and redact personal information, commercial confidentiality, or other exempt information before disclosure.
Regulatory Investigations and Audits
When responding to regulatory investigations or compliance audits, export relevant communications and redact sensitive information before submitting to regulators or auditors.
Internal Compliance Reviews
For internal investigations or compliance assessments, export employee communications while protecting personal information of uninvolved parties and maintaining confidentiality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Microsoft Purview to RedactBox workflow
Does RedactBox support PST files directly?
Yes! RedactBox supports both PST and MBOX file formats natively. You can upload PST files exported from Microsoft Purview directly to RedactBox without any conversion needed.
What permissions do I need for Microsoft Purview exports?
You must be assigned to the eDiscovery Manager role group in Microsoft Purview, which includes the Export management role. Your Microsoft 365 administrator can grant this access through the Microsoft Purview portal.
How long does a Purview eDiscovery export take?
Export times vary significantly based on data volume. Small exports (few hundred emails) may complete in 10-30 minutes, while large organizational searches with thousands of emails can take several hours. Exports are processed asynchronously in Azure.
Can I search across all mailboxes in my organization?
Yes, with appropriate permissions (eDiscovery Administrator or Organization Management), you can create searches that span all mailboxes in your Microsoft 365 organization or target specific users, groups, or organizational units.
Ready to Get Started?
This Microsoft Purview to RedactBox workflow provides a complete solution for handling Subject Access Requests, eDiscovery, FOI requests, and other compliance scenarios requiring email redaction.