Microsoft Purview: 5 Time-Saving Hacks You Can’t Miss

Key insights

• Priority Cleanup allows organizations to quickly delete sensitive data from mailboxes, even if they are under legal or compliance holds. This feature helps reduce risks and saves time by bypassing manual removal steps.


• Automated Archive Mailbox Provisioning uses the Set-OrganizationConfig PowerShell command to automatically create archive mailboxes when primary ones reach 90% capacity. This automation ensures continuous email storage without manual intervention, improving workflow efficiency.


• Data Security Investigations, powered by generative AI, assists cybersecurity teams in analyzing and responding to security incidents and insider threats faster. The AI provides insights and recommended actions, speeding up investigations and risk mitigation.


• Copilot Integration with Microsoft Purview enables direct application of retention labels in Copilot apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also summarizes eDiscovery cases and detects risky AI usage, helping compliance teams manage data securely with less manual effort.


• Data Observability in the Unified Catalog visually maps data lineage, relationships, glossary terms, and assets. This feature helps users quickly find the root cause of data quality issues across different cloud environments for faster problem-solving.


• Together, these new features in Microsoft Purview save time for IT and compliance teams by automating key processes, improving security response times, and making data management more efficient in 2025.

Introduction: Unlocking Productivity with Microsoft Purview

Microsoft Purview is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone for organizations aiming to streamline data governance, bolster security, and maintain regulatory compliance. In a recent YouTube video, Peter Rising [MVP] explores five innovative hacks within Microsoft Purview that are designed to save significant time and effort for IT professionals and compliance teams alike. As Microsoft continues to enhance Purview’s capabilities in 2025, these features reflect the platform’s commitment to automating complex tasks while providing robust data protection.

This article summarizes the major highlights and practical applications from Peter Rising’s video, offering insights into the tradeoffs and challenges organizations may encounter when integrating these new tools.

Priority Cleanup: Accelerating Sensitive Data Removal

A key challenge for many organizations is the timely deletion of sensitive information, especially when mailboxes are subject to legal holds or eDiscovery requirements. With the introduction of Priority Cleanup, Microsoft Purview now enables administrators to expedite the permanent removal of sensitive data even if existing holds are in place. This override feature is particularly valuable for situations where compliance risks demand immediate action.

However, while this functionality greatly reduces administrative delays, it also necessitates careful governance to ensure that data is not removed prematurely or without proper oversight. Balancing rapid response with regulatory obligations remains an ongoing consideration for compliance teams.

Automated Archive Mailbox Provisioning: Streamlining Storage Management

Managing mailbox storage can be an ongoing administrative burden, particularly as mail volumes grow. Microsoft Purview addresses this with automated provisioning of archive mailboxes as primary mailboxes approach capacity. By leveraging the Set-OrganizationConfig PowerShell command, organizations can ensure continuity and avoid disruptions caused by full mailboxes.

This automation not only minimizes manual intervention but also supports proactive lifecycle management. Nevertheless, IT teams must remain vigilant to monitor storage trends and align automation policies with organizational data retention strategies.

AI-Powered Security Investigations: Enhancing Incident Response

The integration of generative AI into Purview’s Data Security Investigations marks a significant advancement in how incidents are analyzed and resolved. Security teams can now leverage AI-driven insights to swiftly identify and address data breaches, insider risks, and suspicious behaviors. This approach reduces the time required to investigate threats and offers recommended actions to mitigate risks.

Despite these benefits, organizations must weigh the dependence on AI against the need for human oversight. Ensuring that AI-generated recommendations are accurate and contextually relevant is crucial to maintaining effective security operations.

Copilot Integration: Automating Governance and Compliance Tasks

Microsoft Purview’s integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot for Power BI introduces automation into compliance and governance workflows. Users can apply retention labels within familiar productivity apps, summarize eDiscovery cases, and detect risky AI behaviors such as unauthorized data sharing. Automated alerts and suggested mitigation actions further support compliance teams in managing data risks.

While these features significantly reduce manual workloads, there is a continuous need to balance automation with nuanced decision-making, especially as AI tools become more deeply embedded in daily operations.

Unified Data Observability: Facilitating Rapid Issue Resolution

With the preview of data observability in the Microsoft Purview Unified Catalog, organizations gain visual mapping of data lineage, governance relationships, and asset connections. This holistic view enables users to quickly trace and resolve data quality issues across complex, multicloud environments. The result is faster root cause analysis, which supports reliable AI innovation and regulatory compliance.

However, as organizations expand their data estates, maintaining accurate and up-to-date mappings can become challenging, requiring ongoing investment in data cataloging practices.

Conclusion: Navigating Tradeoffs for Greater Efficiency

Peter Rising’s overview of the latest Microsoft Purview features highlights significant progress in automating and securing data management processes. Each hack offers clear time-saving benefits, yet organizations must thoughtfully balance automation, oversight, and compliance requirements. By leveraging these new capabilities, businesses can achieve greater efficiency while safeguarding sensitive information and meeting evolving regulatory demands.

As Microsoft Purview continues to evolve, staying informed about new features and best practices will be essential for maximizing its potential in fast-paced enterprise environments.

Keywords

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