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tony68's avatar
tony68
Copper Contributor
Feb 21, 2022

Understanding retention for Exchange

Hello, I have a problem with understanding two things about retention policy for Exchange: 1. Retention period vs. deleted items retention https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/complian...
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VasilMichev's avatar
VasilMichev
MVP
Feb 22, 2022
1) The Deletions folder keeps items to 14 (max 30) days, after that they're moved to the Purges folder within the RecoverableItems subtree and stay there for the duration of any "retain" tag/policy applicable to them. There's detailed information about how the RecoverableItems subtree works here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/security-and-compliance/recoverable-items-folder/recoverable-items-folder
2) That applies to situations where you have a "blanket" policy that affects the mailbox. If you want to dispose of Teams messages, do not use a mailbox-level hold/retention policy.
tony68's avatar
tony68
Copper Contributor
Feb 22, 2022

Thanks a lot. Point 1 is now clear to me.

Ad 2 but MRM policy “5 year delete” (set in EAC) will not affect disposal of deleted Teams chat messages? 

 

  • VasilMichev's avatar
    VasilMichev
    MVP
    Feb 22, 2022
    If it's a default tag, it will likely apply to Teams chat messages too. They are stored in a separate folder, part of the non-IPM subtree now, but default tags apply therein as well, I believe.
    • tony68's avatar
      tony68
      Copper Contributor
      Feb 22, 2022

      Thank you Vasil.
      It’s my last question, I promise 🙂

      If “Permanently delete” MRM tag is set up at EAC it shouldn’t prevent the user-deleted Teams messages from being disposed (permanently deleted), right? As there is no retention aspect of the policy but “delete-only”?

       

      This is how I also understood your previous post in another discussion:

      It's another name clash, but in all fairness the old ones (configurable via the EAC) did not "retain" anything. On the contrary, they were only used to delete/archive items, which is kinda the opposite of retention. The new ones, configurable via the SCC, act across the service and do actual retention.

       

      So since there is no “retention” aspect of this policy, it shouldn’t suspend permanent deletion of Teams messages from the SubstrateHolds folder?

      • VasilMichev's avatar
        VasilMichev
        MVP
        Feb 23, 2022
        Yes, the "old style" Exchange retention tags do not have the "retention" aspect, they will not prevent permanent deletion.

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