Tell me more ×
Web Applications Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for power users of web applications. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote -1 down vote favorite

I've never understood the purpose of archiving your emails. Is it simply to clear out your inbox from messages that no longer require your attention?

share|improve this question
I’d say it’s a way of achieving Inbox Zero. – Alex Jan 17 at 9:56
so do you just keep everything unlabeled in inbox, or do you delete everything? – mhoran_psprep Jan 17 at 16:55

closed as not constructive by Al Everett, ChrisF♦ Jan 18 at 23:46

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

1 Answer

up vote 1 down vote

I think it can be useful. I keep pretty much everything in my e-mail archive. It's extra useful when I get a product activation code for example so when I reinstall my computer I can always find the codes when I add my programs to it. When my brother asked about a game, I could in my archive find older conversations that showed that we've asked each other about the very same game three times in the last five years. That wasn't very useful, but a little funny.

At work it can be very useful when you need to know what people said at different times during a project. Even after the project is closed it might be useful to have that history.

So it's up to everybody to work with the archive the way they want to. If you think it works best for you to delete e-mails, go for it.

share|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.