Preservation Hold Library: Secure Your Records with Confidence

Key insights

• Preservation Hold Library is a hidden document library in SharePoint and OneDrive that protects content affected by retention policies, ensuring deleted or edited files stay accessible during the retention period.


• The library is automatically created when a retention policy or retention label is applied to a site. It stores copies of documents that are changed or deleted, preventing permanent removal before the retention time ends.


• Only site owners can access the Preservation Hold Library; regular users do not see it. A timer job checks content every seven days, deleting items past their retention period—this process may take up to 37 days after expiration.


• A key update since mid-2022 is improved version history storage. The library now keeps one file with complete version history instead of multiple copies, saving space and reducing redundancy.


• If items are deleted from the Preservation Hold Library, they move to the Second-Stage Recycle Bin, giving an extra chance for data recovery before final deletion.


• The Preservation Hold Library supports compliance and data protection, automates cleanup based on retention rules, allows recovery options, and requires no manual setup—making it essential for organizations using Microsoft 365 to manage important records securely.

Keywords

Preservation Hold Library Vital Records Safeguarding Document Management Legal Compliance Data Protection Archival Solutions