- A
retention policy configured with a retention period of 7 years and an action to delete items automatically
Retention policies apply to entire sites or mailboxes, retain content for the specified period, prevent deletion during retention, and can automatically delete after the period.
- B
retention label configured with a retention period and an action to delete after 7 years
Why wrong: Retention labels are applied to individual items, not to all documents in a site automatically, unless configured with auto-labeling.
- C
data lifecycle management policy
Why wrong: Data lifecycle management is about managing data in lifecycle stages, not specifically for retention and deletion of SharePoint documents.
- D
An eDiscovery hold
Why wrong: eDiscovery holds preserve content for legal cases but do not enforce automatic deletion after a period.
Quick Answer
The answer is a retention policy configured with a retention period of 7 years and an action to delete items automatically. This is correct because a Microsoft Purview retention policy applied at the SharePoint site level enforces a retention lock that overrides user permissions, allowing edits while preventing manual deletion during the retention period. On the MS-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how retention policies differ from retention labels—policies apply to entire containers like sites, whereas labels target individual items. A common trap is confusing retention policies with eDiscovery holds or sensitivity labels, which do not enforce automatic deletion after a set period. Remember the key distinction: retention policies can both preserve and then delete, but they never block editing unless you use a compliance record label. For a memory tip, think “Retain, Edit, Auto-Delete” (READ)—the policy lets users read and edit, but the auto-delete action handles cleanup after the timer expires.
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 like entire SharePoint sites or 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 retain all documents in a SharePoint Online site for 7 years and then automatically delete them. During the retention period, users must be able 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
retention policy configured with a retention period of 7 years and an action to delete items automatically
A retention policy in Microsoft Purview can be applied at the site level to enforce a 7-year retention period with automatic deletion, while allowing users to edit documents during that time. The policy prevents deletion by users because the retention lock overrides user permissions, ensuring compliance with the requirement to block deletion but permit edits.
Key principle: Retention policies apply to locations like entire SharePoint sites or 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.
- ✓
retention policy configured with a retention period of 7 years and an action to delete items automatically
Why this is correct
Retention policies apply to entire sites or mailboxes, retain content for the specified period, prevent deletion during retention, and can automatically delete after the period.
Related concept
Retention policies apply to locations like entire SharePoint sites or Exchange mailboxes.
- ✗
retention label configured with a retention period and an action to delete after 7 years
Why it's wrong here
Retention labels are applied to individual items, not to all documents in a site automatically, unless configured with auto-labeling.
- ✗
data lifecycle management policy
Why it's wrong here
Data lifecycle management is about managing data in lifecycle stages, not specifically for retention and deletion of SharePoint documents.
- ✗
An eDiscovery hold
Why it's wrong here
eDiscovery holds preserve content for legal cases but do not enforce automatic deletion after a period.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse retention labels with retention policies, assuming labels can enforce site-wide deletion and edit permissions, but labels are item-level and require manual application or auto-labeling, whereas policies apply broadly and include the necessary deletion prevention.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Retention policies in Microsoft Purview use a 'preservation lock' mechanism that prevents any user—including site admins—from deleting content until the retention period expires, after which the system triggers a 'disposition review' or automatic deletion via a timer job. The policy applies at the site collection level, and the 'Delete items automatically' action uses the 'RetentionCompliancePolicy' and 'RetentionComplianceRule' cmdlets in Exchange Online PowerShell to enforce the lifecycle. In a real-world scenario, if a compliance officer needs to retain financial records for regulatory audits (e.g., SEC Rule 17a-4), a retention policy with a 7-year period and deletion action ensures immutability during the period while allowing edits for collaboration.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Retention policies apply to locations like entire SharePoint sites or Exchange mailboxes.
- They prevent content deletion during the retention period, even by users with delete permissions.
- Retention policies can be configured to automatically delete content after the retention period.
- They ensure consistent retention across all content within the specified location.
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 like entire SharePoint sites or Exchange mailboxes.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review retention policies apply to locations like entire SharePoint sites or Exchange mailboxes., then practise related MS-102 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All MS-102 questions
975 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft 365 Administrator MS-102 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
MS-102 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related MS-102 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant practice questions
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant.
Implement and manage Microsoft Entra identity and access practice questions
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Implement and manage Microsoft Entra identity and access.
Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR practice questions
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR.
Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview practice questions
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview.
Manage users, groups, licensing, and support practice questions
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Manage users, groups, licensing, and support.
Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID practice questions
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID.
MS-102 fundamentals practice questions
Practise MS-102 questions linked to MS-102 fundamentals.
MS-102 scenario practice questions
Practise MS-102 questions linked to MS-102 scenario.
MS-102 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise MS-102 questions linked to MS-102 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free MS-102 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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 like entire SharePoint sites or Exchange mailboxes..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: retention policy configured with a retention period of 7 years and an action to delete items automatically — A retention policy in Microsoft Purview can be applied at the site level to enforce a 7-year retention period with automatic deletion, while allowing users to edit documents during that time. The policy prevents deletion by users because the retention lock overrides user permissions, ensuring compliance with the requirement to block deletion but permit edits.
What should I do if I get this MS-102 question wrong?
Review retention policies apply to locations like entire SharePoint sites or 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 like entire SharePoint sites or Exchange mailboxes.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on MS-102
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A compliance officer needs to retain all documents in a SharePoint Online site associated with the Finance department for 10 years, after which the documents must be 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?
medium- ✓ A.retention policy with a retention period of 10 years and an action to delete at the end of the period
- B.retention label auto-applied to all documents in the site
- C.Litigation hold on the site
- D.Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy with a retention action
Why A: A retention policy can be applied to a SharePoint site to enforce a 10-year retention period with a deletion action at the end, while allowing users to edit documents during that period. This meets the compliance requirement because retention policies preserve content from deletion by users, but still permit editing. The 'delete at end of retention period' action ensures automatic removal after 10 years.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This MS-102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the MS-102 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.