Microsoft Teams meeting recordings are a fantastic way to keep track of important discussions. But how long do these recordings actually last?
Typically, Teams meeting recordings expire after 60 days. This might catch some of us by surprise, especially if we assumed they would be around indefinitely.
To avoid any headaches, you can adjust settings or save important recordings elsewhere.

Let’s face it, who hasn’t had that moment where we desperately tried to recover a recording, only to find it’s vanished? It’s a common problem that can really put a wrench in our plans.
Our best tip is to check your OneDrive or SharePoint folders regularly, as that’s where recordings are typically stored.
If you’re wondering how to extend the life of these files, there are settings we can adjust in the Teams admin center.
By making a few tweaks, such as changing the default expiration time, we can keep those invaluable recordings safe for much longer. Keep an eye on these settings, and we can ensure nothing important slips through the cracks!
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Recording Fundamentals in Microsoft Teams
Recording in Microsoft Teams enables us to capture important meetings for future reference. It covers powerful tools, like starting a recording quickly and organizing recorded files in accessible locations like OneDrive and SharePoint.
Initiating a Recording
Starting a Teams meeting recording is as easy as pie. In our meeting controls, we simply click on More actions and select Record and transcribe.
This captures both video and audio of the session. Unfortunately, it doesn’t save every video stream, but it can usually capture up to four at once.
If anyone tries to slip out of a meeting thinking they’re off the record, well, they might want to think twice!
Sometimes, we even enable live transcriptions. This adds a new level of accessibility for participants who prefer reading along.
The recording process is smooth as silk, but let’s not forget about those all-important meeting policies. They ensure that we can manage our recordings’ lifespan and storage locations effectively.
Accessibility and Storage
A big question is, “Where do these recordings go?”
If we’re holding a private meeting, recordings typically land in our OneDrive. When it’s a channel meeting, SharePoint takes the wheel, ensuring easy access for all team members. Gone are the days of endless searches.
Recordings have expiration settings, predetermined by us in the Teams admin center. We can tweak these from a day to eternity.
Our goal is to keep our storage organized, accessible, and simple. With these features, we balance easy access with efficient space management.
Meeting Recording Auto-Expiration
Let’s dive into how Microsoft Teams manages the expiration of meeting recordings. We’ll break down default settings and ways to customize them to suit our needs.
Default Expiration Policies
Microsoft Teams meeting recordings are set to expire automatically, which means they won’t last forever. By default, the expiration period is 60 days after the meeting ends. Once this period is up, the recording is moved to the Recycle Bin.
The recordings are stored in a “Recordings” folder on OneDrive for non-channel meetings and on SharePoint for channel meetings. If not retrieved in time, they will be permanently deleted.
This is handy for saving space and keeping our storage tidy without needing to dig through unnecessary files.
We manage these settings through the Teams Admin Center, a tool available to administrators.
Customizing Auto-Expiration
Sometimes, we need to keep our recordings longer. Luckily, we can change the default expiration settings within the Teams Admin Center.
If desired, recordings can be set to expire anywhere from 1 to 99,999 days after creation.
To customize these settings, we navigate to Meetings > Meeting Policies in the admin center. We then select the policy relevant to our needs and adjust the expiration days as required.
This flexibility helps ensure compliance and meet organizational retention requirements. It’s like adjusting a timer to fit our lifestyle. Adjusting settings ensures that critical information is accessible as long as needed, keeping everyone on the same page.
Retention and Compliance
In the realm of Microsoft Teams, understanding how meeting recordings are retained and managed for compliance is essential. Let’s dive into two key aspects: retention periods for recordings and the policies that ensure compliance.
Meeting Recording Retention
When it comes to how long Teams recordings stick around, things can vary a lot. By default, recordings usually last 120 days before they vanish.
Admins can tweak this, setting the time from just 1 day to no expiration at all.
Microsoft 365 Purview plays a big role here. It’s the watchdog, ensuring recordings align with your organization’s needs. Our Admin Center is the go-to spot for these adjustments.
Another nifty feature? There’s a Recycle Bin for recordings. If something gets axed early, it sits in the bin for about 93 days. This gives us a chance to recover crucial data if needed.
Compliance and Recording Policies
Ensuring that meeting recordings adhere to company policies is crucial. Microsoft 365 Retention Policies aid in setting rules around this. These policies dictate what data is stored and for how long.
Compliance policies help in safeguarding sensitive information. By enforcing these, we ensure that only necessary data is retained. It keeps us aligned with regulations and standards.
Our compliance center serves as the hub for setting these rules. Here, Admins can adjust policies and ensure that meeting recordings comply with organizational and legal requirements.
Moreover, specific permissions can be granted or restricted to ensure that only relevant parties have access to certain recordings. This way, we maintain data integrity and confidentiality across the board.
Advanced Recording Features
In our exploration of Teams’ advanced recording features, we’ll reveal the benefits of transcription and the flexibility of PowerShell for recording management.
While these tools often fly under the radar, they significantly enhance the recording experience and streamline management processes.
Transcription and Compliance Recording
Transcription is like our note-taking sidekick during meetings. It turns spoken words into text, making it easy to follow along and refer back to.
Imagine not having to scribble notes frantically during a fast-paced discussion. Pretty neat, huh? Plus, these transcriptions stay linked to the meeting recording, providing context whenever you need it.
When it comes to compliance recording, it’s straightforward yet crucial. These recordings ensure organizations stay on the right side of regulations, especially in sectors with strict guidelines.
Getting compliance right helps build trust and let us focus on the conversation rather than the rules.
With transcription and compliance features, we navigate meetings with ease and transparency.
PowerShell for Recording Management
If we’re tackling recording management, PowerShell is our trusty tool.
It’s like the Swiss Army knife of Teams management—it’s versatile and efficient.
We can set up, modify, or even remove recording policies without clicking through endless menus. How cool is that?
By using PowerShell commands, we gain control over recording settings, fine-tuning anything from duration to permissions.
Whether we’re part of an IT team or just tech-savvy individuals, PowerShell offers the flexibility needed in a dynamic workplace.
It might sound like magic, but it’s just smart tech at its best.
Let’s wield our coding wands and make meeting management a breeze! ✨