Force Deleting Backups

Veeam Plug-In has a functionality that automatically force deletes backup files which are older than specified number of days. For example, it may be helpful if a database was renamed and backups for this database created before the renaming are no longer processed by Veeam Plug-In.

To delete backup files, do the following:

  1. On the Microsoft SQL Server machine, navigate to the %PROGRAMFILES%\Veeam\Plugins\Microsoft SQL\ folder.
  2. Run the following command:

MSSQLConfigTool --set-force-delete --days <days> --bkp <backup_name> --repo <repository_name> --force

where:

  • <days> is the retention period in days. After this period, Veeam Plug-In automatically force deletes the specified backup files.
  • <backup_name> is the name of the backup. By default, Veeam Plug-In names backup files after the protected Microsoft SQL Server.
  • <repository_name> is the name of the repository where backup files are located.

Also, you can specify the --force option. This option allows to override additional input prompts and error messages.

For example:

MSSQLConfigTool --set-force-delete --days 100 --bkp SRV001 --repo "Default Backup Repository"

Considerations and Limitations

Before you delete backup files, consider the following:

  • Make sure the number of days specified in the command exceeds the retention policy configured in the Back Up Database wizard. For details, see Specify Backup Options.
  • Make sure the number of days specified in the command exceeds the immutability period configured for the backup repository.
  • If backups that you want to delete are stored in the scale-out repository:
  • Make sure these backups are not on the extent that is in maintenance mode. For details, see Maintenance Mode.
  • Make sure backups are not stored in the Archive tier.
  • The command cannot delete imported backups.

Page updated 8/25/2025

Page content applies to build 13.0.0.4967