This is also known as a store hard delete. 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. 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.

Outlook deleted items recovery