Trik: "Soft Delete" in Lotus

Lotus Notes databases (i.e. NSF files) have a somewhat annoying feature that can cause major headaches for litigation support personnel. The feature is called “soft delete”. It works like this:

When a Lotus Notes user deletes a record inside of an NSF database that record is moved to the trash bin until it is permanently removed by the user or by the “soft delete” feature. By default, the “soft delete” feature has a 48 hour time limit for all records in the trash bin. After a record has been in the trash bin for more than 48 hours the record is permanently removed and unless the user has a backup of the database it will be extremely difficult if not impossible to get that message back.

If the items in the trash bin are important to your case, then you can use this trik to keep the “soft delete” feature from permanently removing the records:

1. Before you open the copied (Notes: you should always work off of copies, never the originals) NSF, change the system date of your computer to a few years ago;
2. Open the NSF database, the items in the trash bin should be intact;
3. Now, inside the NSF go to File >>> Database >>> Properties. Go to the Beanie tab (last tab). Set the “Soft Delete Expire Time in Hours” to something like 999,999 and click the arrow to accept the new value;
4. The “soft delete” feature has been triked and you can now close the NSF, reset your system date to the current month, day, year, and feel good that your trash bin has not been altered.

Read more about this feature here: Lotus Soft Delete

Posted by Andrew Wilson on October 10, 2007 | Permanent Link |