# Changes to backups and restores in Zimbra 10

> Zimbra 10 introduces important changes to how mailboxes and individual items can be backed up and restored on Kualo's platform.

Source: https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/email-zimbra/changes-to-backups-and-restores-in-zimbra-10
Updated: 2026-06-04

---

Zimbra 10 introduces significant changes to how backups and restores work. This article explains what has changed and how to recover deleted items or mailboxes under the new rules.

## What's changing

### Restoring deleted mailboxes

- **Deleted mailbox restore:** A deleted mailbox can be restored up to 14 days after the deletion date. Contact our support team to request this.
- **Live mailbox restriction:** It is no longer possible to restore a live mailbox that has not been deleted.

### Restoring lost items

- **Dumpster only:** Items deleted from an active mailbox can only be recovered using the Zimbra Dumpster. Restoring a full copy of a live mailbox is no longer supported.
- **Extended retention:** The Dumpster retains deleted items for a minimum of 15 days on all plans, up from the previous minimum of 7 days.
- **All item types covered:** Emails, contacts, and calendar items can all be restored from the Dumpster.
- **Future enhancements:** Upcoming Zimbra releases are expected to add the ability to restore items to their original locations and to restore entire folders.

## Restore scenarios

| Scenario | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Items deleted from an active mailbox, within 15 days | Restore using the Dumpster |
| Items deleted from an active mailbox, over 15 days ago | Restoration not possible |
| Deleted mailbox, within 14 days | Contact support to restore the mailbox, then use the Dumpster for specific items |
| Deleted mailbox, over 14 days ago | Restoration not possible |

## Using the Zimbra Dumpster

The Dumpster holds items you have deleted and lets you recover them before the 15-day retention window expires.

### Classic UI

1. Right-click the **Trash** folder in any tab (email, contacts, calendar, and so on).
2. Select **Recover Deleted Items**.
3. Locate the items you want to restore. Use the search feature to find specific items, or hold **Shift** and click to select multiple items.
4. Click **Recover To**.
5. Choose the destination folder and click **OK**. The items are restored immediately.

:::tip
If you need to recover items from a deleted mailbox, contact Kualo support first to have the mailbox restored, then use the Dumpster steps above to retrieve specific items.
:::

---

_Source: Kualo Knowledgebase — https://www.kualo.com/knowledgebase/email-zimbra/changes-to-backups-and-restores-in-zimbra-10 · © Kualo Ltd._
