How to clean up inactive SharePoint sites
Diesen Beitrag auf Deutsch lesen
A five-step process for identifying inactive SharePoint sites, consulting owners, checking retention, archiving safely and recording each decision.
TL;DR
Use the SharePoint admin center and activity reports to sort sites by last activity and storage, define an inactivity rule such as 90 days for team sites, ask owners, check retention and legal holds, move sites to read-only, then archive or delete with approval and a recorded decision.
Original by Torsten Mandelkow, on Rencore. Read the original
This is our own summary, not a republication or full translation.
Governance takeaway
- Makers: Confirm whether site content is still needed when asked, because owners decide whether a site should be kept, archived or deleted.
- Admins/CoE: Export site owners, last activity and storage, apply a written rule per site type, and repeat the review cycle to prevent backlog.
- Security/Compliance: Check retention policies, legal holds, linked Teams and open access dependencies before archival or deletion.
Frequently asked questions
How does the SharePoint admin center reveal storage and last use?
The active sites list and activity reports show each site’s last activity and storage. Export the data, then sort by both measures.
Should team sites use a 90-day inactivity threshold?
A 90-day period can define inactivity for team sites. Set and document a rule for each site type, then apply it consistently.
What checks belong before deleting an inactive SharePoint site?
Check retention policies, legal holds and linked Teams first. Set the site read-only and archive it before deletion, with approval recorded.