Why is it recommended to disable accounts instead of deleting them?

Disabling accounts instead of deleting them is advisable primarily because it preserves the user's data and settings. When an account is disabled, all associated data—such as files, preferences, and configurations—remains intact and can be accessed or restored if needed in the future. This approach ensures that if the user returns or if there is a need to review past activities or data, all relevant information is still available without the risk of data loss that occurs with deletion.

This strategy also supports compliance with data retention policies and regulatory requirements that may necessitate maintaining user data for a specific period. Retaining user profiles and their configurations can enhance administrative efficiency, allowing for easier reactivation of accounts without the need to recreate user settings or permissions from scratch.