How to Delete Attachments from SharePoint List Item when Document has Retention Label?

Question

Hello,

I am unable to delete an attachment from a SharePoint list item, I think because the item has a Retention Label applied (e.g. Retain for 10 years). When I attempt to delete I get the following warning:

"The label that's applied to this item prevents it from being edited or deleted. Check the item's label for more details."

Unfortunately, I cannot edit the item because it is attached in the list item. I have tried to delete using my custom PowerApps form. I have also tried to delete it using the Details pane and through a PowerAutomate routine. I further attempted to change the label using List Settings > Apply label to items in this list or library > None ( with "Apply label to existing items in the library" box checked). Nothing has worked.

My last option is to try and disable the attachments field but I think that will delete all items in my list.

Any help is great appreciated.

Answer 1

Dear ML,

The issue may be that there are some label policies applied to the site by the administrator in your tenant.

If you are just a user, I suggest you contact the administrator, let him go to the new Microsoft Purview admin center, click on the Home page, select Data Lifecycle Management, go to Label Policies and see whether there are some policies applied to the site where the list exists. If yes, delete the policies from the UI, wait some time (generally it is 24-48 hours) and then refresh the list page to see whether the item attachments can be deleted.

If no, there will be some background sync issue in your tenant. the next step is to open a support ticket to the related team so that they can help you fix the issue from their side directly.

Get support - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn

Thank you for your effort and time.

Sincerely

Cliff | Microsoft Community Moderator