Start/notes.ini Parameters/Mail_Hold_Days

Mail_Hold_Days

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Parameter: Mail_Hold_Days
Short description: Number of days undeliverable messages are held in mail.box before they are marked as Dead Mail or deleted.

Profile

Parameter
Mail_Hold_Days
Category
Mail / Router
Component
Server
Available since
9.0
Supported versions
9.0.1, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0, 14.0, 14.5, 14.5.1
GUI equivalent
notes.ini only (no GUI)
Possible values
Integer in days (default 5)

Description

If the router cannot deliver a message directly (for example, when the recipient server is temporarily unreachable), it remains in mail.box or the hold queue. Mail_Hold_Days defines how long the router keeps the mail in that state. After the period elapses, the mail moves to mail.box as Dead Mail (status “Dead”) or is deleted – depending on the router configuration. The default is 5 days.

Example configuration

Mail_Hold_Days=3

Notes & pitfalls

  • Very long hold times lead to a growing mail.box and more router load.
  • Takes effect after a router restart (tell router quit / load router) or the next configuration reload.
  • Pairs with MailHoldUndeliverableOnly and the router settings in the Configuration document.
  • For compliance / audit purposes, combine with journaling if needed – the hold queue is not a mail archive.