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The Recoverable Items folder is indexed by Exchange Search and can be discovered by using In-Place eDiscovery or Content Search in the Microsoft Purview compliance portals. When a mailbox is moved to another mailbox database, the Recoverable Items folder moves with it. This architectural change provides the following key benefits: This subtree isn't visible to users using Outlook, Outlook on the web (formerly known as Outlook Web App), or other email clients. The Recoverable Items folder resides in the non-IPM subtree of each mailbox. Recoverable Items folderĮach user mailbox is divided into two subtrees: the IPM (interpersonal messaging) subtree, which contains the normal, visible folders such as Inbox, Calendar, and Sent Items and the non-IPM subtree, which contains internal data, preferences, and other operational data about the mailbox. This is also known as a store hard delete.
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Hard delete: Describes when an item is marked to be purged from the mailbox database. Also describes when an Outlook user deletes an item by pressing Shift+Delete, which bypasses the Deleted Items folder and places the item directly in the Recoverable Items folder.
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Soft delete: Describes when an item is deleted from the Deleted Items default folder and placed in the Recoverable Items folder. Knowledge of the following terms will help you understand the content in this article.ĭelete: Describes when an item is deleted from any folder and placed in the Deleted Items default folder. Microsoft 365 and Office 365 retention policies The following Exchange features use the Recoverable Items folder: The Recoverable Items folder replaces the feature that was known as the dumpster in earlier versions of Exchange. To protect from accidental or malicious deletion and to facilitate discovery efforts commonly undertaken before or during litigation or investigations, Exchange Online uses the Recoverable Items folder. They are no longer available in the new Exchange admin center. Please refer to the Microsoft 365 security center and the Microsoft Purview compliance portal for Exchange security and compliance features.
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