---
title: "Step 7. Specify GFS Retention Settings"
description: "This step of the wizard is available if you have chosen to use a long-term, or Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS), retention policy."
canonical: "https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforaix/userguide/backup_job_gfs_settings.html"
breadcrumb: "User Guide > Performing Backup > Creating Backup Jobs > Creating Backup Job with Backup Job Wizard > Step 7. Specify GFS Retention Settings"
dateModified: "2026-11-03"
---

# Step 7. Specify GFS Retention Settings

This step of the wizard is available if you have chosen to use a long-term, or Grandfather-Father-Son (GFS), retention policy.

To configure GFS retention policy settings for the backup job:

1. Select the **Keep full backups for archival purposes** option and click **Configure** at one of the following steps of the wizard:

   - [Location](backup_job_drive.md) — if you have selected the **Local** option at the [Destination](backup_job_target.md) step of the wizard.
   - [Network](backup_job_share.md) — if you have selected the **Shared Folder** option at the [Destination](backup_job_target.md) step of the wizard.
   - [Repository](backup_job_vbr.md#repo) — if you have selected the **Veeam Backup & Replication** option at the [Destination](backup_job_target.md) step of the wizard.

2. In the **Configure GFS** window, do the following: 

   1. If you want to create weekly restore points for archival purposes, select the **Keep weekly full backups for** check box. Then specify the number of weeks during which you want to prevent restore points from being modified and deleted.

      In the **If multiple full backups exist, use the one from** list, select a week day when Veeam Agent must assign the weekly GFS flag to a full restore point.

   2. If you want to create monthly restore points for archival purposes, select the **Keep monthly full backups for** check box. Then specify the number of months during which you want to prevent restore points from being modified and deleted.

      In the **Use weekly full backup for the following week of a month** list, select a week when Veeam Agent must assign the monthly GFS flag to a full restore point. A week equals 7 calendar days; for example, the first week of May is days 1–7, and the last week of May is days 25–31.

   3. If you want to create yearly restore points for archival purposes, select the **Keep yearly full backups for** check box. Then specify the number of years during which you want to prevent restore points from being modified and deleted.

      In the **Use monthly full backup for the following month** list, select a month when Veeam Agent must assign the yearly GFS flag to a full restore point.

::: note

- If you select to assign multiple types of GFS flags, the flags begin to depend on each other. For more information on this dependency, see the [Assignment of GFS Flags](https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/gfs_how_flags_assigned.html?ver=120) section in the Veeam Backup & Replication User Guide. 
- To apply the GFS retention policy, you must set Veeam Agent to create full backups. To learn more, see [Active Full Backup Settings](backup_job_active_full.md).

:::

![](images/backup_job_gfs_aix.png)

## Related Topic

[Long-Term Retention Policy (GFS)](gfs_retention.md).