How to Configure Deleted Item Retention in Exchange Server?

EDB to PST Converter /May 04, 2025

Managing Deleted Item Retention in Exchange Server

Manage deleted items is important for maintain Exchange Server environment .When user delete emails – by pressing Delete ,using Shift+Delete and empty Deleted items folder – data move to Deletion folder. Duration these items recoverable depend on Deleted Items Retention setting configure for mailbox or Exchange Database. Exchange Server retains deleted items for 14 days . Retension period can customized to any value between 0 and 24855 day.This blog explore about setting about configure deleted item retention in Exchnage Server using Exchange Admin Center (EAC).If your Exchnage Database file corrupted during configure process .you can use Goldytools EDB to PST Converter Tool to restore mailbox data from corrupted and Inaccessible EDB Files

What information user Know Before starting

  1. Configuration process take approximate five minute
  2. Permission assigned before you can start procedures .First we check available permissions refer to Messaging Records Management entry under Messaging Policy and Compliance permissions in Exchange Server
  3. Verify that your Exchange server functioning working properly
  4. Next select number of deleted items day :this setting determined time duration deleted items are retained before permanently removed and user can not restore it.Note:default retention period 14 days.you manually adjust this setting between 0 to 24855
  5. Select Option Don’t permanently delete items until the database is backed up.

Step to Configure Retention Setting for Exchange

  1. Navigate Server then select Database
  2. From List mailbox databases, select require mailbox database and select Edit Icon
  3. In mailbox database property wizard then select one of following option
  • Keep deleted item for :14 days default, Manual select duration between 0 to 24855
  • Please check option Don’t permanently delete items until the database is backed up.
  • Finally Deleted item retention configuration complete

How user configure Deleted item Retention for mailbox?

Configure deleted item retention for mailbox, by use Exchange Admin Center and follow step carefully

  1. In Exchange Admin Center ,go to Recipient and then click Mailboxes
  2. From list of mailboxes ,select desired mailbox and choose Edit Icon.
  3. Once mailbox properties page open ,navigate Maibox usage and click More option .then select of following option
  4. Use default retention setting configure in Mailbox database
  5. Next process to configure delete item retention setting for mailbox.

Conclusion

This blog explore delete item retention and provide step intruction on configure deleted item retention by Exchange Admin Center in Exchange Server. IF EDB file corrupted or damage then use Goldytools EDB to PST tool .which recovery corrupted EDB file and Demo version provide you converted 25 items per Folder

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