====== 🏁 How to Archive a Full SharePoint Online Site ======

[[https://www.smikar.com/how-to-archive-a-complete-sharepoint-online-site/|Archiving an entire SharePoint Online site]] using [[https://www.smikar.com/squirrel/|Squirrel]] is an efficient way to optimize storage, meet compliance requirements, and maintain a tidy Microsoft 365 environment.

This guide walks administrators through the step-by-step process of fully archiving a SharePoint Online site using Squirrel.

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===== 🧭 Steps to Archive a SharePoint Online Site =====

^ **Step** ^ **Description** ^ **Image** ^
| **Step 1: Access the Squirrel Archive Dashboard** | Log into the Squirrel web portal. From the left-side menu, go to **Site Archive Settings** and locate the SharePoint site you wish to archive. | {{:software:squirrel:squirrel_menu_new.png?400}} |
| **Step 2: Select the SharePoint Site** | Within the dashboard, identify the target site. Ensure it meets your archiving criteria (e.g., low activity, aged content). | {{:software:squirrel:site_archive_settings.png?400}} |
| **Step 3: Start the Archiving Process** | Click the **Archive** button next to the selected site. Confirm the prompt to initiate the archive job. The site will now be added to the archive queue. | {{:software:squirrel:archive_prompt.png?400}} |
| **Step 4: Monitor Archiving Progress** | Go to the **Archive Queue** in the Squirrel dashboard. Here, you can monitor file processing and track progress as files are offloaded to Azure Blob Storage. | {{:software:squirrel:archive_queue_new.png?400}} |
| **Step 5: Verify the Archived Data** | After the archive process is complete, go back to SharePoint. Open the document library and confirm that original files have been replaced with **stub files**, and content is now securely stored in Azure. | {{:software:squirrel:sharepoint_site_archived.png?400}} |
| **Step 6: Restoring Archived Files** | If a file needs to be recovered, go to the **Restore** section in Squirrel. Find the file or site and click **Restore**. The file will be rehydrated and returned to its original SharePoint location. | {{:software:squirrel:stub_details.png?400}} |

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===== ✅ Conclusion =====

Archiving an entire SharePoint Online site using Squirrel is a straightforward process that provides powerful benefits:

- 📉 Reduces storage usage and costs
- 🗃️ Keeps historical data organized
- 🔁 Supports quick restoration when needed

By following this guide, administrators can confidently manage site-wide archival, helping teams stay compliant and efficient — without sacrificing access to valuable data.