Table of Contents
Summary
- Non-Microsoft SharePoint Embedded applications will support container archival, reducing storage costs by up to 75%.
- New Graph APIs will allow archiving and unarchiving of containers, enhancing integration with workflows.
- SharePoint Admin Center will include options for managing archived containers alongside existing tools.
- Archival support is OFF by default and must be enabled via PowerShell cmdlet.
- Organizations should prepare by updating applications to handle archived container status and reviewing relevant documentation.
Admin Impact: Medium
User Impact: Low
Release Start: 01 Feb 2026
Release End: 28 Feb 2026
Services: SharePoint
Category: Stay informed
Tags: New Feature, Admin Action
History
1/8/2026 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
Introduction
Non-Microsoft SharePoint Embedded applications now support container archival. This feature helps organizations reduce storage costs by up to 75% by moving large or inactive content to low-cost storage tiers. It also improves Copilot search relevance by prioritizing active content and reducing noise from outdated data.
When this will happen
Public Preview: Rollout will begin in early February 2026 and is expected to complete by late February 2026.
How this affects your organization
Who is affected: Admins managing SharePoint Embedded applications and developers integrating with SharePoint Embedded APIs.
What will happen:
- New Graph APIs will be available to archive and unarchive containers, enabling integration with your application workflows.
- SharePoint Admin Center will include options to archive and reactivate containers alongside existing container management capabilities.
- Archival support is OFF by default. To enable this functionality, you must opt in using a PowerShell cmdlet.
What you can do to prepare
Enable archival support by running the appropriate PowerShell cmdlet:
- For a new container type: Use New-SPOContainerType with the parameter -IsArchiveEnabled. Learn more: New-SPOContainerType (Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell) | Microsoft Learn.
- For an existing container type: Use Set-SPOContainerType with the parameter -IsArchiveEnabled. Learn more: Set-SPOContainerType (Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell) | Microsoft Learn.
Update your application to handle archived container status and display appropriate messaging to end users.
Optionally, expose archival and reactivation options in your application interface.
Review documentation for Graph API integration and PowerShell cmdlet usage.
Compliance considerations
No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.