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Exchange 5.5 Deletion Settings

Is there a way to configure deletion settings in Exchange 5.5 similar to Exchange 2003? There is a server that is out of space and I can't find the settings to get rid of the deleted items. I had users delete unneeded messages and the store size actually went up.

InteraX

Hi bdhtechnology,

When you've deleted a mailbox/user, the mailbox is kept in the database for 30 days by default. This can be changed in ESM. You can force a purge before that time as long as the maintenance task has run since you deleted the mailbox/user. When you delete messages, they will go into the dumpster and will be kept for 30 days by default. Again, this can be changed in ESM.

Unless you perform an offline defrag of the databases, the database size will never shrink. Space freed up in the databases is marked as whitespace. If you are running out of space on the server, you need to think about migrating to a new server or adding more storage.

Good Luck,

Chris

bdhtechnology

ASKER

right but where do you change the 30 day default in exchange 5.5? there isn't an exchange system manager in version 5.5...

InteraX

bdhtechnology,

I'm not sure off the top of my head. I'll have to check in the office tomorrow.

You can probably still purge deleted mailboxes from 5.5 via the mailbox store.

bdhtechnology

ASKER

i just can't find anywhere to purge anything with exchange 5.5. i am unfamiliar with it and used to the newer versions where everything is in the system manager :(

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Sembee

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bdhtechnology

ASKER

thanks Sembee, your post showed me at least where to change the deleted item retention. now I just need to defrag the db and it should clear up quite a bit of space.