- A
Create a retention policy with a retention rule for 5 years, configured to retain then delete, and enable the preservation hold setting.
A site-level retention policy with preservation hold blocks deletion while allowing edits, and automatically deletes after 5 years.
- B
Create a retention label with the action to retain for 5 years then delete, and apply it to the site via auto-labeling.
Why wrong: Auto-labeling applies labels to individual documents, not the entire site, and does not enforce a site-wide preservation hold.
- C
Create a sensitivity label with encryption and set an expiration date for 5 years.
Why wrong: Sensitivity labels do not provide retention or delete actions; encryption controls access but not retention.
- D
Place the site on an eDiscovery hold with a custom retention period.
Why wrong: eDiscovery holds are for legal purposes and do not automatically delete content after a specific period.
MS-102 Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview Practice Question
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage compliance by using microsoft purview. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: retention policies apply to locations (e.g., SharePoint sites, Exchange mailboxes).. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A compliance officer needs to ensure that all documents in a SharePoint Online site are retained for 5 years and then automatically deleted. During the retention period, users must be allowed to edit the documents but not delete them. Which Microsoft Purview solution should the officer configure?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a retention policy with a retention rule for 5 years, configured to retain then delete, and enable the preservation hold setting.
Option A is correct because a retention policy with a 'retain then delete' action meets both requirements: it retains documents for 5 years and then automatically deletes them, while the preservation hold setting prevents users from deleting documents during the retention period. This policy applies at the site level, ensuring all content is covered without requiring manual labeling.
Key principle: Retention policies apply to locations (e.g., SharePoint sites, Exchange mailboxes).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create a retention policy with a retention rule for 5 years, configured to retain then delete, and enable the preservation hold setting.
Why this is correct
A site-level retention policy with preservation hold blocks deletion while allowing edits, and automatically deletes after 5 years.
Related concept
Retention policies apply to locations (e.g., SharePoint sites, Exchange mailboxes).
- ✗
Create a retention label with the action to retain for 5 years then delete, and apply it to the site via auto-labeling.
Why it's wrong here
Auto-labeling applies labels to individual documents, not the entire site, and does not enforce a site-wide preservation hold.
- ✗
Create a sensitivity label with encryption and set an expiration date for 5 years.
Why it's wrong here
Sensitivity labels do not provide retention or delete actions; encryption controls access but not retention.
- ✗
Place the site on an eDiscovery hold with a custom retention period.
Why it's wrong here
eDiscovery holds are for legal purposes and do not automatically delete content after a specific period.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse retention labels with retention policies, assuming labels can block user deletion, but only a retention policy with preservation hold provides the deletion prevention required by the scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A retention policy with preservation hold uses a 'preservation lock' that prevents any user, including site administrators, from deleting or modifying the retention settings during the hold period. Under the hood, this leverages the SharePoint Preservation Hold library, which stores a copy of the document when a user attempts to delete it, ensuring the original remains accessible for the full 5 years. In a real-world scenario, this is critical for compliance with regulations like SEC Rule 17a-4, which requires immutable retention with deletion prevention.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Retention policies apply to locations (e.g., SharePoint sites, Exchange mailboxes).
- The 'Preservation hold' setting in a retention policy prevents users from deleting content.
- Content under preservation hold can still be edited by users.
- Retention policies can be configured to 'retain then delete' content automatically.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Retention policies apply to locations (e.g., SharePoint sites, Exchange mailboxes).
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Retention policies apply to locations (e.g., SharePoint sites, Exchange mailboxes). Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review retention policies apply to locations (e.g., SharePoint sites, Exchange mailboxes)., then practise related MS-102 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this MS-102 question test?
Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview — This question tests Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview — Retention policies apply to locations (e.g., SharePoint sites, Exchange mailboxes)..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a retention policy with a retention rule for 5 years, configured to retain then delete, and enable the preservation hold setting. — Option A is correct because a retention policy with a 'retain then delete' action meets both requirements: it retains documents for 5 years and then automatically deletes them, while the preservation hold setting prevents users from deleting documents during the retention period. This policy applies at the site level, ensuring all content is covered without requiring manual labeling.
What should I do if I get this MS-102 question wrong?
Review retention policies apply to locations (e.g., SharePoint sites, Exchange mailboxes)., then practise related MS-102 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Retention policies apply to locations (e.g., SharePoint sites, Exchange mailboxes).
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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