pffexport¶
What pffexport does¶
Guided SUSA tool journey
pffexport supports email forensics. In this guide, you will use it to export a training mail store and verify message and folder provenance. The procedure and screenshots provide the practical reference; the surrounding context explains what to record and how to judge the result.
Tool guide at a glance¶
Export a training mail store and verify message and folder provenance.
A copied training mail store or message set with account and acquisition context.
A message finding supported by identifiers, headers, mailbox context, and safely handled attachments.
Evidence and safety
Do not open recovered attachments or links on SUSA. Preserve the source store and exported-message provenance. Record the input identifier, tool version, relevant commands or settings, time and time zone, output location, and any errors or limitations as you work.
Choose your journey¶
01Understand the evidenceLearn the email forensics concepts and limitations.Complete when you can explain what the evidence can and cannot show.Beginner · No tool required · 15–25 min 02Follow the pffexport guideWork through the commands, screenshots, and instructional sequence below.Complete when the documented workflow produces its expected output.Guided · SUSA workstation · Time varies 03Interactive labPractise the tool workflow in a safe browser simulation.Complete when the guided result is supported by the case evidence.Beginner · Browser only · 10–20 min 04Full LabInvestigate an authorised training scenario with fewer prompts and preserve a reviewable result.Complete when another analyst can reproduce and verify the outcome.Intermediate · Isolated lab · 45–90 min
How the labs complement this guide
The Interactive Lab is a safe browser simulation for practising the workflow and validation logic. The Full Lab is an independent exercise for an isolated, authorised environment. Confirm the installed tool version and expected output before relying on either exercise in a real case.
Accessing pffexport in SUSA¶
pffexport is an open-source command-line utility used to extract, recover, and export items (emails, attachments, contacts, calendar entries) stored in Microsoft Outlook Personal Folder Files (.pst), Offline Folder Files (.ost), and Personal Address Book (.pab) files.
Open the Ubuntu in WSL and run the following commands:
This installs pffexport along with other dependencies.
Verify the installation by running:
Make a folder called pffexport in C:\Tools. In C:\Tools\pffexport, right-click → New → Shortcut.
Paste the following command into the shortcut location field, then select Next.
Change the name of the shortcut to pffexport and click Finish.
Double-click the pffexport shortcut. This should open the pffexport in the WSL terminal.
