Request from lawyer or accountant: 'can you preserve this data?'
Google Vault (in Business Plus and Enterprise) places retention and holds on mail and Drive. For statutory retention it is the standard tool.
Try this first
- 1Open vault.google.com (only visible with a Vault license).
- 2Create a 'matter' for the specific case and place a 'hold' with the relevant users and date range.
- 3A hold blocks deletion of mail and Drive files for the hold's duration, regardless of user action.
- 4To search old data without setting a hold: use Vault 'search'; retention policy determines what is still findable.
- 5Document holds outside Vault too (an internal log); legal matters span years.
When to bring us in
Vault architecture and retention timing affects your legal position. Ask for advice with your lawyer; this is not an IT-only choice.
See also
- New hire has an account but cannot reach Outlook or TeamsAn M365 account without a license is an empty shell. Assigning takes a few clicks, but picking the right plan pays off long-term.
- Employee left, but their email must be retainedPulling the license straight away starts a 30-day timer on the mailbox. The right route keeps access to the mail without paying for the license.
- We pay for licenses nobody usesBetween leavers, duplicate plans, and test accounts there is often 10-20% wasted license spend. A usage report exposes it fast.
None of the above fits?
Describe your situation below. We pass your input plus the steps you already saw to our AI and return tailored next-step advice. If it's too risky to DIY, we'll say so.
Or skip the DIY entirely
Our Managed IT clients do not look these things up. One point of contact, a fixed monthly price, resolved within working hours.