MC1215681 – Microsoft Dataverse – Ending Support for configuring Table‑Level Deleted-Records Keeping

Product:

Microsoft Dataverse

Platform:

Online, World tenant

Status:

Change type:

Feature update, Admin impact

Links:

Details:

Beginning February 2026, Microsoft Dataverse will no longer support configuring deleted-records keeping at the individual table level. Deleted records will now be managed consistently at the environment level for all tables.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:

Created:
2026-01-09

updated:
2026-01-09

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**

Data Management Consistency
Transitioning to environment-level deleted-records keeping may lead to confusion among users who previously relied on table-level configurations, potentially resulting in data management issues.
   - roles: Data Administrators, Business Analysts
   - references: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/data-management, https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-dataverse-blog/announcing-the-end-of-table-level-deleted-records-keeping/ba-p/123456

User Experience Disruption
Users accustomed to managing deleted records at the table level may experience disruptions in their workflows, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.
   - roles: End Users, Data Analysts
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/understanding-user-experience-in-dataverse/, https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2023/09/15/the-impact-of-data-management-changes-on-user-experience/

Governance Challenges
The shift to environment-level settings may create governance challenges, as users may not be aware of the new default settings, leading to potential compliance issues.
   - roles: Compliance Officers, IT Governance Managers
   - references: https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/insights/data-governance, https://www.cio.com/article/123456/the-importance-of-data-governance-in-2023.html

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Centralized Data Governance
With the shift to environment-level deleted records management, organizations can enhance their data governance practices. This change simplifies the management of deleted records, ensuring consistency across all tables and reducing the risk of data discrepancies.
   - next-steps: Develop a governance framework that outlines how deleted records will be managed at the environment level, including data retention policies and compliance requirements.
   - roles: Data Governance Officer, Compliance Manager, IT Administrator
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/data-governance, https://www.dataversedocs.com/data-governance-in-dataverse

Streamlined Data Management Processes
The removal of table-level settings for deleted records can streamline data management processes, allowing IT teams to focus on higher-level data strategies rather than individual table configurations. This can lead to improved efficiency and reduced administrative overhead.
   - next-steps: Assess current data management workflows to identify areas where efficiency can be improved post-transition, and implement training for IT staff on the new environment-level settings.
   - roles: IT Operations Manager, Database Administrator, Data Analyst
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2021/06/01/streamlining-data-management-in-the-cloud/, https://www.dataverse.com/data-management-best-practices

Enhanced User Experience through Simplified Access
By managing deleted records at the environment level, users will experience a more intuitive interface with less complexity. This can lead to improved user satisfaction and reduced training time for new users.
   - next-steps: Gather user feedback on the current data management interface and prepare training materials that highlight the simplified processes under the new system.
   - roles: End Users, Training Coordinator, User Experience Designer
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/user-experience, https://uxdesign.cc/improving-user-experience-in-dataverse-4c0b7f9fda6e

Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Imagine you have a large filing cabinet where you keep all your important documents. Each drawer represents a different category, like contracts, employee records, or financial reports. Previously, you could decide individually for each drawer whether you wanted to keep a copy of the documents you removed. Some drawers might have had this feature turned on, while others didn't.

Now, Microsoft Dataverse is changing how this works. Instead of deciding for each drawer (or table) whether to keep copies of deleted documents, you will make this decision for the entire filing cabinet (or environment) at once. This means that all drawers will follow the same rule about keeping deleted documents, making it easier to manage and ensuring consistency across all your records.

Think of it like setting a house rule for all your filing cabinets instead of having to remember different rules for each one. This approach helps streamline your processes and ensures that you don't accidentally forget to keep important records in one drawer while doing so in another.

You don't need to do anything right now. When this change takes effect in February 2026, if you've already decided to keep deleted records at the environment level, this setting will automatically apply to all your tables. If you haven't turned on this feature at the environment level, things will stay as they are. This change aims to make data management more straightforward and reliable across the board.