RM573699 - SharePoint: Advanced Management - Inactive files policy

Microsoft 365 Roadmap

Summary

SharePoint administrators can use the Inactive files policy in SharePoint Advanced Management to automatically archive files based on when they were last accessed. The public preview is available through PowerShell only. Admins can set an inactivity threshold from 6 to 48 months, scope policies to all SharePoint sites or selected sites, include or exclude file types and sites, and use What-If mode to review impact before activation. Eligible files move to the Microsoft 365 Archive cold-storage tier while remaining in place and retaining their metadata, permissions, compliance, and searchability. Microsoft 365 Archive and pay-as-you-go billing must be enabled.

Published

Oct 5, 2026

Status

In development

Release

General Availability
Preview

Platforms

Web

Service

SharePoint

Tag

In development
General Availability
Preview
Worldwide (Standard Multi-Tenant)

Cloud

Worldwide (Standard Multi-Tenant)

Description

SharePoint administrators can use the Inactive files policy in SharePoint Advanced Management to automatically archive files based on when they were last accessed. The public preview is available through PowerShell only. Admins can set an inactivity threshold from 6 to 48 months, scope policies to all SharePoint sites or selected sites, include or exclude file types and sites, and use What-If mode to review impact before activation. Eligible files move to the Microsoft 365 Archive cold-storage tier while remaining in place and retaining their metadata, permissions, compliance, and searchability. Microsoft 365 Archive and pay-as-you-go billing must be enabled.

More info: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.online.sharepoint.powershell/new-spofilearchivepolicy?view=sharepoint-ps#-lastaccessdatecriteria

GA date: December CY2026

Preview date: October CY2026