How to re-archive exported content without creating duplicate items in the archive

Problem

When the contents of an archive are exported back to the original mailbox, it will replace the shortcuts with the original messages.  In the scenario where these messages need to be re-archived and the original archive still exists, messages will be duplicated in the archive.  

Therefore, it is necessary to delete the original archive and create a new one.  Additionally, if these exported messages are required to be archived immediately, the registry key mentioned below will be required.  

Solution

After exporting a users archive to the original mailbox perform the following steps:

1. Disable the user from archiving through "Disable Mailboxes" wizard.
2. In the Vault Administration Console (VAC) >> "Archives" section >> Select the user's archive, right click and select Delete. (The archive will become marked for deletion and depending on size, it could take some time to be removed from the console).
3. Once the archive has been removed from the console, re-enable the mailbox for archiving using the "Enable Mailboxes" wizard. This process will create a new archive for the user. 
4. Create the IgnoreEVDates and IgnoreEVDatesEnd registry keys below and then restart the mailbox archive tasks to apply the change. 

Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\KVS\Enterprise Vault\Agents

DWORD: IgnoreEVDates

Description: Controls whether the Archived Date property of items is considered when archiving.
In effect, this means that mail items are treated as though they had never been archived.

Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\KVS\Enterprise Vault\Agents

String: IgnoreEVDatesEnd 

Content: String value containing a UTC date and time in the following ISO 8601 format: yyyyMMddThh:mm:ssZ

Description: Sets the date that the IgnoreEVDates registry value uses as the latest Archived or Restored date.

5. Perform a manual Run now on the relevant archiving task for the user
6. Once the archive task completes the work on this mailbox remove the IgnoreEVDates key and restart the archive tasks. 

Note: This setting affects all users for all mailbox archive tasks on this server.  It is recommended to configure the archive task schedules to "never" run until the archive task completes the work for the specific mailboxes.  This setting is on the Schedule tab in the properties of the archive task. 


Warning: Incorrect use of the Windows registry editor may prevent the operating system from functioning properly. Great care should be taken when making changes to a Windows registry. Registry modifications should only be carried-out by persons experienced in the use of the registry editor application. It is recommended that a complete backup of the registry and workstation be made prior to making any registry changes.