557188 – Microsoft Purview: Data Lifecycle Management – Hard delete capability for OneDrive and SharePoint through secure priority cleanup workflows

Product:

OneDrive, Purview, SharePoint

Platform:

Web, World tenant

Status:

In development

Change type:

Links:

Details:

Admins will be able to select hard delete configuration while setting up a priority cleanup policy for OneDrive and SharePoint content and skip recycle bins.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2026-02-12

updated:
2026-02-12

Docu to Check

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MS workload name

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summary for non-techies**

Microsoft Purview's new "hard delete" feature allows administrators to permanently delete files from OneDrive and SharePoint immediately, bypassing the recycle bin, which is useful for compliance and efficient storage management.

Direct effects for Operations**

Data Loss Risk
Implementing hard delete without proper preparation may lead to unintended permanent data loss, as users may not be aware that their data will be irretrievably deleted without passing through the recycle bin.
   - roles: Data Administrators, End Users
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2021/06/24/understanding-data-loss-prevention-in-microsoft-365/

User Confusion
Users may be confused about the new hard delete functionality, leading to increased support requests and frustration if they are not adequately informed about the changes.
   - roles: Help Desk Support, End Users
   - references: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2021/01/25/the-top-5-technology-trends-in-2021/?sh=4c1c1c4e1b4e

Compliance Issues
Without proper training and communication, users may inadvertently delete data that is subject to compliance regulations, leading to potential legal ramifications for the organization.
   - roles: Compliance Officers, Data Protection Officers
   - references: https://www.dataprotectionreport.com/2021/03/the-importance-of-data-compliance-in-the-digital-age/

Increased IT Workload
The introduction of hard delete capabilities may increase the workload for IT teams as they handle more incidents related to data recovery and user inquiries about the new process.
   - roles: IT Operations, System Administrators
   - references: https://www.cio.com/article/243200/how-to-manage-it-workload-in-a-remote-work-environment.html

System Performance Impact
If hard delete is implemented without proper testing, it may lead to performance issues in OneDrive and SharePoint, affecting user experience and productivity.
   - roles: System Administrators, End Users
   - references: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-improve-sharepoint-performance/

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

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Potentional Risks**

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Data Protection**

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IT Security**

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Hypothetical Work Council Statement**

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DPIA Draft**

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explanation for non-techies**

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