E-Mail Retention

This procedure is designed for the Desktop version of Outlook as it is more efficient for this and many other tasks. The icon for this version looks like the image to the left.

Are you a “filer” or a “piler.”

 A filer is a person who typically creates folders for specific groups of messages. Examples might be by Project  or from specific people. If you’re a filer you’re ready to go. Just make sure that the messages older than 120 days in your Inbox are filed. Messages in the folders you create will not be affected by this policy. 

Pilers are people who leave all of their received messages in the Inbox and their sent messages in the Sent Items folder. If this is you, please follow this procedure.

 To create a folder:

1. Right click on the name at the top of your folder list. This will be your Canisius College e-mail address. A menu will pop up.
2. From the pop up menu select New Folder.
3. Give your folder a name, for example 2012 Messages.
4. Click OK.

Preparing your Inbox and Sent Items folders:

1. Select messages for deletion.
   1. To select non-contiguous messages hold down the control key and click on the messages you want to delete.
   2. Right click a selected message and select delete from the pop up menu.
   3. To select contiguous messages, select the first message you want to delete than hold down the Shift key and select the last message for deletion. You’ll see several messages selected.
   4. Right click one of the selected messages and choose delete from the pop up menu.

Tip:  If you’re a filer, select only15 or 20 messages at a time then delete them. Continue until your Inbox and sent mail folder contains only those messages you want to keep.

Move the remaining mail from your Inbox or Sent Items folder to your newly created folder(s):

1. Select the messages you want to move to a specific folder following the instructions above for choosing contiguous or non-contiguous messages.
2. Move the cursor over one of the selected messages and hold down the left mouse button.
3. Drag the selected messages to the folder of your choice.

Tip: If you’re a “piler” and are putting all of your message into a single folder (i.e.2012 messages) place your cursor in the pane with all of your messages and hold down the control key and press the letter “a” to select ALL message. Place your cursor on one of the selected messages, hold down the left mouse button and drag the messages to your folder.

This procedure is for people using Outlook through the my.canisius.edu portal or your browser please follow this procedure:

 Open the Outlook Web the way you usually do.

1. Deleting non-contiguous unneeded messages:
   1. Click on those messages while holding down the control key. This will select that message.
   2. Select 15 or 20 messages as described above.
   3. Place your cursor over one of the selected messages and right click.
   4. Choose Delete from the pop-up menu. This will delete all of the selected messages. Repeat until your Inbox in free of unneeded messages.
   5. To delete contiguous messages, left click on the first message you want to delete, hold down the Shift key and select the last message you want to delete.
   6. Place your cursor on any of the selected messages and right click.
   7. A pop-up menu will appear and choose delete from the menu. Your messages will be deleted.

 Create a new folder as follow:

1. Right click on your account name, for example lastname, firstname.
2. In the pop-up menu select Create New Folder.
3. Name the folder; for example 2012 Messages.

 Once you created the folder you can now move your messages.

1. Click on the first message in your Inbox.
2. Press and hold the control key and press the letter “a” thus selecting messages in your Inbox. You may have to repeat this procedure if you have a lot of message in the Inbox. There is a limitation as to how many messages can be deleted or moved using this version of Outlook.
3. Place your cursor over any of the selected messages, hold down the left mouse button and drag these files over to the folder of your choice.
4. If you want to select non-contiguous messages hold done the control key while clicking on the messages you want.
5. Click on any of the selected and hold the left mouse button down and drag them to the folder of your choice.

 Workshops will also be held throughout the fall semester to assist faculty and staff in these procedures. Workshops will be directed to people who use all versions of Outlook and those using Mac Mail.