Microsoft Exchange 2000 or 2003: Configuring Deleted Mailbox and Message Retention

Microsoft Exchange 2000/2003 Server can retain deleted mailboxes and individual messages for a specified period of time. Using these features enables some restores of deleted items and mailboxes through Exchange itself. This can provide fast local restores, without using LiveVault Online Backup Service.

We highly recommended that you configure both mailbox and message retention, and use them for restores as appropriate to minimize restore time.

The retention settings are applied to each individual mailbox store within a storage group.

By default, deleted mailboxes are retained for 30 days, and items within the mailbox are not retained.

To configure deleted mailbox and item retention via MyLiveVault

You can review and edit your current Exchange retention settings in MyLiveVault beginning in LiveVault Online Backup Service Agent version 4.0. If you are running an earlier Agent version, you must set these options through the Exchange System Manager.

Note: Optionally, you can contact Customer Service and have them turn off the capability to set these options through MyLiveVault; however, the option settings remain visible.

1. Click the Options tab on the Computer Backup form.

2. Next to Storage Groups, click Prev or Next to move through the available information storage group until the Name field specifies the desired group.

3. Next to Storage Group Stores, click Prev or Next to move through the available storage group stores until the Name field specifies the desired storage group store.

4. Keep deleted items for (days) indicates the number of days Exchange will retain deleted messages. Type a new value to change the message retention period.

5. Keep deleted mailboxes for (days) indicates the number of days Exchange will retain deleted mailboxes. Type a new value to change the mailbox retention period.

To configure deleted mailbox and item retention via Exchange System Manager

1. In Exchange System Manager, expand Servers, then expand the Information Storage group containing the mailbox store that you want to configure.

2. Right-click the mailbox store and click Properties.

3. On the Properties dialog box, click the Limits tab.

4. In the Deletion settings group, configure the following settings to meet your requirements:

   • Keep deleted items for (days): Type the number of days to retain deleted messages.

   • Keep deleted mailboxes for (days): Type the number of days to retain deleted mailboxes.

Important: The option Do not permanently delete mailboxes and items until the store has been backed up is not supported by LiveVault Online Backup Service. Leave this checkbox cleared.

Related Information

Microsoft Exchange 2000 or 2003: Restoring Deleted Items and Mailboxes with Exchange
Viewing and Setting Microsoft Exchange Application Options
Understanding Microsoft Exchange Backup