Archiving Files and Folders

Archives must have edit permissions for co-admins to edit content.  Users cannot edit Archived content.

The Box Archive feature:

• Removes all collaborations on the content and backs up the Archived content.
• Removes Delete and Edit permissions from the Archived content.
• Moves entire files to your Archive, including all versions of the files.
• Restores items trashed from folders, and adds those items to the Archive.
• Disables Shared Links to Archived content.

When you move content to an Archive, the following key information is retained and searchable:

• Previous collaborations and file paths.
• Visibility of metadata.
• Access history.

The Box Archive feature preserves:

• All search options currently available in Content Manager.
• All metadata and versions associated with the file.
• Retention, Disposition, and Legal Hold policies. 
• Shield classifications and access policies.
• Zones

Creating Archives

1. In the Admin Console, click Content. 
2. Select the Content Manager tab.
3. Click Archive.
4. At the bottom of the left panel, click New Archive+.  If no Archives exist, in the main display panel , click New Archive.
5. In Archive Name, type the Archive's name.
   • If Box Zones are enabled for your enterprise, you can set a zone for your Archive. Select a zone from the drop down list, or leave it as the default zone.
6. Click Create. The new archive will appear at the top of the Archives list.

Archiving from Searches

After creating an Archive, you can Archive files and folders from a variety of places in your Content Manager window.

Archiving from the Archive File and Folder Picker

To Archive files and folders from a content search:

1. In Admin Console, in the left panel click Content. 
2. In the top of the window, click Content Manager.
3. Click the Archive slider.
4. Click on an Archive.
5. Click either Add Files & Folders or Add+.  Box displays the content search window.
6. To search for a file or folder, in the Search field, type the name of the file or folder.  To search for a user, in the User field type the user's name or email address.
7. Hover on the file or folder's name, then check the checkbox.
8. Click Add.
9. Box displays Trashed items will be archived.  If you agree, click Confirm.

1. In Admin Console, in the left panel click Content.
2. In the top of the window, click Content Manager.
3. Click the Users slider.
4. Click on a  folder. Box displays the contents of the folder.
5. Hover on a file or folder, click the ellipsis ("..."), then click Archive.  To Archive multiple files, check the checkbox for each file or folder. 
6. Select the  Archive.  If no Archives exist, Box prompts you to create one.
7. Click Archive
8. Box displays Trashed items will be archived.  If you agree, click Confirm.

1. In Admin Console, in the left panel click Content.
2. In the top of the window, click Content Manager.
3. In the search field at the top of the Content Manager window, type a string or use the metadata search filters.  Box displays the search results window.
4. Hover on a file or folder, click the ellipsis ("..."), then click Archive.  To Archive multiple files, check the checkbox for each file or folder. 
5. Select the Archive.  If no Archives exist, Box prompts you to create one.
6. Click Archive.
7. Box displays Trashed items will be archived.  If you agree, click Confirm.

Archive zones

• Archiving a file removes the file's zone assignment.
• Currently, it is only possible to change the zone of an Archive via API. Please refer to the following documentation to learn more:
  • Assign zone
  • Change zone
  • Unassign zone