The Google Workspace Business Starter - Archived User plan is a specialized add-on license designed to securely retain data from former or inactive employees at a lower cost than a standard active license. The Google Workspace Business Starter Archived User (AU) license lets you keep an ex-employee's data (Gmail, Drive, etc.) accessible in Google Vault for retention, search, and export, without paying for a full license, freeing up that seat while maintaining compliance and data access at a lower cost, but data access is managed through Vault, not active services. You get an AU license automatically when archiving a user, and it counts towards your pooled storage.
As of 2026, the Archived User license is a cost-effective solution for organizations to preserve data from former employees without paying for a full Business Starter subscription.
Key Features
- Data Preservation: Keeps all data (emails, Drive files, Calendar, etc.) from the archived user, making it available for eDiscovery and compliance.
- Reduced Cost: Replaces a full Business Starter license (which offers 30GB storage, email, Meet) with a lower-cost Archived User license..
- Storage Management: Archived user data continues to contribute to the organization's total pooled storage.
- License Recycling: Freeing up an active license allows it to be reassigned to a new employee within 24 hours.
- Admin Control: Users are clearly labeled as "Archived" in the Google Admin console for easy management.
Important Limitations
- Account Access: The archived user is strictly blocked from signing in or accessing any Google Workspace services.
- Communication: The account cannot receive new emails, chats, or calendar invites.
- Directory Visibility: Archived users are automatically hidden from the organization's Global Address List (GAL).
- Restoration: To reactivate an account, the administrator must assign a valid, active Business Starter license.
- Google Vault: Essential for managing archived data; you need to purchase Google Vault or have it included in higher plans (like Business Plus) for full functionality.
In essence, it's a cost-effective way to "park" former employee data in a compliant, accessible state within Google's ecosystem, freeing up active user seats.
