media retention

Type: Advanced, requires a restart of SQL Server.

Default value: 0

The media retention option specifies the length of time to retain each backup set. The option helps protect backups from being overwritten until the specified number of days has elapsed. After you configure the media retention option, you do not have to specify the length of time to retain system backups each time you perform a backup. The default value is 0 days, and the maximum value is 365 days.

The media retention option can be overridden by using the RETAINDAYS clause of the backup statement.

The following is an example of this option:

Click here to view code image

EXEC sp_configure 'media retention', 60GORECONFIGUREGO

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