Recommended way

Configure the list so it cannot be used:

• Disable or restrict posting

• set posting to moderators only, or
• hold/reject/discard all posts

• Disable new subscriptions

• close subscriptions or require admin approval

• Hide the list

• remove it from the public list index if desired

• Optionally update the description

• e.g. “This list is inactive and no longer accepts posts.”

If you want it fully dormant

A common setup is:

• no new subscriptions
• no posting from members or non-members
• archives remain available
• list hidden from public discovery

That preserves the list and its archives without deleting it.

Things not to use

• Ban list: only blocks specific addresses, not the whole list
• Deleting the list: removes it rather than disabling it

In Postorius

Look in your list’s admin pages under areas like:

• Settings
• Subscription policy
• Message Acceptance
• Privacy
• Archiving

Exact labels vary by Mailman/Postorius version.

Step-by-step Postorius path for making a list read-only/inactive.

Make a Mailman 3 list effectively inactive in Postorius

There isn't usually a single Disable list button, so do these settings instead.

1) Stop new subscriptions

Go to:

• List → Settings → Subscription Policy

Set options so:

• new subscriptions are closed or require admin approval
• if available, disable self-subscription entirely

2) Stop posting

Go to:

• List → Settings → Message Acceptance
  or sometimes:
• List → Settings → Privacy

Set posting so that:

• only moderators can post, or
• all posts are held, rejected, or discarded

If you want the list completely inactive, use:

• reject all non-member posts
• restrict member posts as well, if your version allows it

3) Hide the list from public view

Go to:

• List → Settings → Identity or
• List → Settings → Privacy

Look for options like:

• Advertise this list
• List is public
• Display on list index

Turn that off.

4) Keep archives if desired

Go to:

• List → Settings → Archiving

Choose whether to:

• keep archives visible
• make archives private
• disable new archive visibility if needed

5) Add an “inactive” note

Go to:

• List → Settings → Identity

Update:

• Description
• Info
• Welcome / goodbye / rejection text if available

Example text:

This mailing list is inactive and no longer accepts new posts or subscriptions.

Practical "inactive list" recipe

A good combination is:

• subscriptions: closed
• posting: moderator-only or reject all
• public listing: off
• archives: kept
• description updated to say inactive

If you want the strongest lock-down

If your Postorius version exposes these controls, also check:

• DMARC / moderation / member posting controls
• Acceptable aliases
• Non-member rules
• Member moderation

You can set:

• non-members: reject
• members: moderated
• default action: hold or reject

If you don't see these exact menu names

Postorius labels vary by version. Look for sections with names like:

• Subscription Policy
• Message Acceptance
• Privacy
• Archiving
• Identity

Barb Doukas – CELS IT Technical Support Engineer Level 1

ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY

9700 South Cass Avenue; Building 240, Office 2.A.13

Lemont, IL 60439

P: 630-252-6525

bdoukas@anl.gov

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