M365 Archive

MC1455013 - Microsoft Purview: Data Lifecycle Management- Azure PST Import

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Summary

Azure PST Import enables Microsoft 365 admins to import PST files from Azure Blob Storage into Exchange Online mailboxes using PowerShell. It includes readiness validation, reporting, and compliance controls. The rollout begins late August 2026, affecting Exchange Online and Purview Data Lifecycle Management administrators.

Message ID

MC1455013

View in Message Center

Published

Aug 14, 2026

Service

Microsoft Purview

Tag

New feature
Admin impact

Roadmap ID

565865

View roadmap details

Platforms

Web

More information

What and Why:

Azure PST Import provides a structured, PowerShell-based way for administrators to import PST files stored in Azure Blob Storage into Exchange Online mailboxes, which are commonly used to store archived Outlook mailbox content. This capability helps organizations migrate historical email data in a controlled and auditable way by validating readiness before importing and by providing reports throughout the process. The process starts by creating an Azure PST Import endpoint to establish the connection between Azure storage and Exchange Online. Administrators then run a migration batch in Analyze mode to review readiness and validate the input before proceeding. Once the analysis results are reviewed, they use those results to create and start the import batch, which begins importing the PST files into the specified mailboxes.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 565865

Rollout Schedule:

Global: We will begin rolling out on late August 2026 and expect to complete by early September 2026.

Impact on your organization:

Who is affected

  • Microsoft 365 administrators managing Exchange Online
  • Administrators using Microsoft Purview Data Lifecycle Management
  • Organizations that import PST files into user or archive mailboxes

What will happen

  • Administrators complete the Azure PST Import process using PowerShell cmdlets only.
  • The workflow includes:
    • Creating an Azure PST Import migration endpoint
    • Running a migration batch in Analyze mode to validate readiness
    • Reviewing analysis results and reports
    • Creating and starting the import batch
    • Performing post-import cleanup
  • This experience is not available through a graphical user interface (GUI).
  • Existing mailbox prerequisites and quotas are validated before importing begins.
  • There is no direct user impact; the feature is admin-driven.

Action Required / Recommendations:

  • Ensure your Azure storage account and container exist and are reachable; the endpoint creation cmdlet validates both during setup.
  • Grant the Storage Blob Data Reader role to the Office 365 Import Service app on the target storage account. Without this permission, creating the Azure PST Import endpoint will fail.
  • Prepare your batch input files (XML and/or CSV) and run the migration batch in Analyze mode first so the service can validate readiness before importing.
  • Confirm analysis prerequisites for target mailboxes:
    • Appropriate license assigned
    • Mailbox is not inactive or soft-deleted
    • Recipient type is UserMailbox
    • Archive is enabled if importing to archive
    • Quota validations (ArchiveQuota / RecoverableItemsQuota) occur during analysis
  • Validate PST files ahead of time:
    • Analysis verifies that all specified PST files exist
    • PST file size is validated during analysis

For detailed cmdlet usage and guidance, review the Azure PST Import documentation on Microsoft Learn.

Compliance considerations:

QuestionAnswer
Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed?Yes. The feature enables administrators to import existing customer email data contained in PST files into Exchange Online mailboxes, where the data is then stored and processed according to existing Exchange Online behaviors.
Does the change store customer data, and if so, where is it stored?Yes. PST file contents are imported into Exchange Online mailboxes within the customer’s Microsoft 365 tenant and are stored according to the tenant’s data residency and storage configuration.
Does the change modify retention policies, holds, or deletion workflows?Yes. Once imported, mailbox data becomes subject to any existing Microsoft Purview retention policies, retention labels, holds, and deletion workflows already configured for the target mailboxes.
Does the change affect audit logging capabilities?Yes. Administrative actions related to PST import and the resulting mailbox changes are logged using existing Exchange Online and Microsoft Purview audit logging mechanisms.
Does the change alter how admins can monitor or demonstrate compliance?Yes. Administrators can use existing Exchange Online and Microsoft Purview reporting and audit tools to monitor PST import activity and demonstrate compliance after the data is imported.
Does the change include an admin control?Yes. The feature is controlled through administrator access to PowerShell cmdlets and Azure role assignments, including permissions on the Azure storage account used for PST import.