---
title: "Change the Maximum Number of Days Backups are Retained"
slug: "how-to-14"
updated: 2026-06-17T13:31:53Z
published: 2026-06-17T13:31:53Z
canonical: "kb.ctera.com/how-to-14"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.ctera.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Change the Maximum Number of Days Backups are Retained

When initially configuring PostreSQL continuous archiving, the maximum number of days to keep the backups was set using `portal.sh configure-db-recovery <backup-history-days>`, where *backup-history-days* is the number of days you want to retain a base backup archive before a new one is created. You can change this setting at a later date.

## Step-by-step guide

**To change the maximum number of days to keep the backups:**

1. Log in to the CTERA Portal as root, using SSH.
2. Run the following command: `portal.sh set_archive_history_days <history-days>`, where history-days is the PostgreSQL archive history days.

CTERA recommends that the minimum retention period is not less than 7 days. If you set the retention period to less than 7 days, you must also have a secondary backup method in order to protect the portal from disasters.