I have "disabled" a number of mailboxes that I would like to retain beyond the standard 30 day period which is currently set for my DBs in the "Keep deleted mailboxes for (days)" attribute. If I change the "Keep deleted mailboxes for (days)" attribute, will that apply to the previously disabled boxes? I understand this will affect all future deletions, but I want to make sure it will apply to the currently disconnected mailboxes. Thanks, Chris

It's always been my understanding that the mailbox will be reset to hard-deletion in the new time frame - no matter whether you make the change to retain the mailbox for more or less time, so yes, it should apply to the currently disconnected mailboxes. Missy

it makes sense to me that it would, but the documentation on this is slim to say the least. thank you for your feedback, i welcome any other comments that might shed more light on to how this process works, or experiences you have had with this. thanks again Missy.

If it was me and I was intent on keeping these mailboxes I'd create some dummy disabled accounts in AD and attach the mailboxes to the accounts. That'd prevent any accidents.Active Directory, 4th Edition - www.briandesmond.com/ad4/

Hi Login into Exchange Management Console Click Server Configuration Click Mailbox Right Click on a mailbox database Click on Limits Tabs You can Edit the Value of "Keep Deleted Mailboxes for (days:)" Thanks Shiv

Hi, making a local test in my lab, if you change the "Keep deleted mailboxes for (days)" attribute, it will apply to the previously disabled boxes. Create a new database and create a new mailbox in it. The Keep deleted mailboxes for (days) is 30 days. After loging to the new mailbox then delete it. The mailbox will be listed in the Disconnected Mailbox. Change the Keep deleted mailboxes for (days) to 1 day . One day later, if Exchange run the "Database Maintenance", the mailbox will be deleted. And Event ID 9532 will be recored. "The mailbox has been removed from mailbox database" If the mailbox is not be deleted, the Event ID 9533 will also be recored. It say: "This mailbox will be removed from mailbox store in xx days." Frank Wang

thank you Frank. I too tested this in a similar fashion and confirmed today that the accounts would not be deleted. I did not notice the event IDs, so I thank you for going into such detail. Have a great day!