MC1211579 – Microsoft Purview DLM: Retirement of SharePoint online information management and in-place records management features

Product:

Purview, Purview Communication Compliance, Purview Records Management, SharePoint

Platform:

Online, World tenant

Status:

Change type:

Admin impact, Retirement, Updated message, User impact

Links:

Details:

Summary:
Starting April 2026, SharePoint Online will retire Information Management Policies, In-Place Records Management, and deletion-only document policies. Organizations should migrate to Microsoft Purview Data Lifecycle Management and Purview Records Management, planning and auditing current policies before the retirement. No automatic migration will occur.

Details:
Updated January 7, 2026: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
We're retiring several legacy SharePoint Online features to streamline compliance and data lifecycle management. Starting April 2026, the following features will be retired:
Information Management Policies
In-Place Records Management
Document deletion policies (deletion only)
We recommend using Microsoft Purview Data Lifecycle Management and Purview Records Management, where we continue to invest in modern, flexible compliance solutions.
For details on the retirement plan and migration guidance, refer to: Use Microsoft Purview risk and compliance solutions instead of older SharePoint features.
[When this will happen:]
Retirement will take place in April 2026

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:

Created:
2026-01-03

updated:
2026-01-08

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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MS workload name

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Retirement of Information Management Policies
Loss of existing Information Management Policies may lead to unregulated data handling and compliance risks.
   - roles: Compliance Officer, Data Manager
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/migration-strategies

In-Place Records Management Features Removal
Removal of In-Place Records Management may disrupt current records management processes, leading to potential data loss or mismanagement.
   - roles: Records Manager, IT Administrator
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/use-microsoft-purview-risk-and-compliance-solutions

Deletion-Only Document Policies Discontinuation
Without deletion-only policies, organizations may face challenges in managing document retention and deletion, risking data overflow.
   - roles: Data Manager, Compliance Officer
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/migration-strategies

User Interface Changes
Changes in the user interface may confuse users, leading to decreased productivity and potential errors in data management.
   - roles: End User, IT Support
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/use-microsoft-purview-risk-and-compliance-solutions

Lack of Automatic Migration
The absence of automatic migration may result in significant manual effort and potential oversight in migrating critical data management features.
   - roles: IT Administrator, Data Manager
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/migration-strategies

Configutation Options**

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Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft is making some changes to SharePoint Online, which will affect how organizations manage their data and records. By April 2026, certain features like Information Management Policies, In-Place Records Management, and deletion-only document policies will no longer be available. Instead, Microsoft encourages organizations to transition to Microsoft Purview Data Lifecycle Management and Purview Records Management.

Think of it like this: imagine you have an old filing cabinet where you keep all your important documents. Over time, the cabinet becomes outdated, and the locks start to fail. Microsoft is suggesting that you move your documents to a new, secure digital vault that offers better protection and easier access. This new vault is the Microsoft Purview system, which is designed to handle modern compliance and data management needs more effectively.

Organizations using the older SharePoint features will need to plan their migration to the new system. This involves reviewing current policies, planning the transition, and ensuring that the new system meets their compliance goals. It's similar to moving house: you need to sort through your belongings, decide what to keep, and ensure everything fits in your new home.

Microsoft will not automatically move your data and settings to the new system, so it's important to take the time to understand and implement the new features. This is like packing and moving your belongings yourself rather than hiring a moving company. You'll have the flexibility to do it at your own pace before the April 2026 deadline.

For organizations, this change means adapting to a new way of managing data and records. It's an opportunity to streamline processes and ensure that compliance and data management are up to date with the latest technology. By planning and executing the migration carefully, organizations can ensure a smooth transition to the new system.