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Kelemvor333's avatar
Kelemvor333
Steel Contributor
Apr 15, 2020

Retention Policies - What's the purpose of Archiving?

Howdy,

We're looking to setup some retention policies and I'm not understanding what Archiving actually does.

For example, what's the difference between these two things:

  • Emails stay in Inbox for 1 year and then move to Archive.  Emails stay in Archive for 1 year and are then deleted.
  • Emails stay in Inbox for 2 years and are then deleted.

Either way emails are gone after two years but what happens during the 2nd year if emails are in Archive vs just in the Inbox?

Thanks.

exchange online
office 365
  • VasilMichev's avatar
    VasilMichev
    MVP
    Apr 15, 2020

    Well they don't stay in Inbox is what happens - less space used by the "main" mailbox, so less issues with Outlook cached mode, etc. With respect to the actual keeping/removing the item, it's no difference.

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