> Documentation > Backup and Restore Agents > Backup Agents > Microsoft Windows > Configuration for the Windows File System Agent > Subclients for the Windows File System Agent > Subclient Data Retention for the Windows File System Agent > Configuring Subclient Data Retention for the Windows File System Agent

Retention Options for Deleted Files

Important: This topic applies to new clients on Commvault version 11 software. If you upgrade the client from the previous version, and the client still operates on indexing version 1, then do not complete the procedure below.

Retention options, which you define at the subclient level, determine when storage policy retention begins for deleted files. Retention options are based on the time that files were most recently modified. You can retain files immediately, or you can begin retaining files after a delay. Before the files are retained, users can browse and restore files from the most recent backup cycle. Synthetic full backup operations manage the application of subclient retention options.

Subclient retention settings determine when storage policy copy retention starts for deleted files. Storage policy copy retention can start immediately or be delayed for a specified period of time. The following table summarizes the retention options available for File System subclients:

Object Based Retention

Retention Options

Users

Implications

Examples

Select the Object Based Retention from the Retention mode list.

In the Deleted item retention area, select Retain Objects for n years, n months, n days.

  • File system users

  • Laptop users

  • You can perform synthetic full backup operations and incremental backup backup operations.

  • The storage policy copy retention is applied to the deleted files after n number of days specified.

  • For the default subclient, the Retain Objects for n years, n months, n days is automatically set to 0 years, 0 months, 0 days.As a result, the storage policy copy retention applies directly to the deleted files.

The storage policy copy retention is 10 days and 2 cycles. The subclient retention is 30 days.

The 30 days calculation for a deleted file starts from the date when an incremental backup is performed after the file is deleted. If the file was deleted on Jan 10, and you run:

  • An incremental backup operation on January 11

  • A synthetic full backup operation on January 15

    The number of days to retain the deleted data starts from Jan 11 when an incremental backup was performed. As a result, the deleted file is retained in the backup cycle till Feb 9. The storage policy copy retention of 10 days and 2 cycles is then applied to the deleted file.

In the Deleted item retention area, select Retain Objects indefinitely.

The deleted files are retained in the backup cycle indefinitely.

The deleted files are carried forward forever.

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