Synced SharePoint file retention after a user is disabled

Copper Contributor

Hello all.

I have a query about the accessibility of SharePoint files synced through One Drive after a user is disabled from 365 admin center. If they are working remotely and were using a work account to log in, what happens to the files stored on that device? I can see information about what happens when users are deleted, but currently we only disable a users sign in, and remove their license. What I would like to know is, does the data get automatically deleted or expire after a set period, and can this be changed.

 

I am hoping someone on here knows the answer and saves me hours and hours of scrolling knowledge bases as currently I'm not finding anything specific to my query.

 

T.I.A

1 Reply
Copies of all SharePoint Libraries/Folders that were synced to the user's device will remain on their C drive until they delete them themself. Discovered this a few years ago when I found lots of folders from previous projects where I no longer had access to the online files - and it's still the same behavior today. You may want to restrict syncing to personal devices:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/control-access-from-unmanaged-devices

You can also do this on a library-by-library basis https://sharepointmaven.com/how-to-disable-sync-in-sharepoint-and-onedrive/#:~:text=Disable%20Sync%2...

Hope that helps!