pffexport

What pffexport does

Using this tool

pffexport supports email forensics. In this guide, you will use it to export a training mail store and verify message and folder provenance. Follow the steps below and keep the output with your notes.

Tool guide at a glance

Investigation task

Export a training mail store and verify message and folder provenance.

Starting material

A copied training mail store or message set with account and acquisition context.

What to record

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 02Follow the pffexport guideFollow the steps and screenshots 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 04Full LabUse your own training data, keep the output and explain what you found.Complete when another analyst can reproduce and verify the outcome.Intermediate · Isolated lab

How the labs complement this guide

The Interactive Lab uses example records to practise investigation decisions. It does not run the installed tool or establish how that version behaves. The Full Lab uses your own training environment and evidence. Obtain or create the required input before starting; a case name in an exercise is not a download.

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:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install pff-tools

This installs pffexport along with other dependencies.

Verify the installation by running:

pffexport -V

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.

wsl.exe -e bash -c "exec bash --rcfile <(echo 'source ~/.bashrc; pffexport -h')"

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.