sp_delete_backuphistory (Transact-SQL)

Reduces the size of the backup and restore history tables by deleting the entries for backup sets older than the specified date. Additional rows are added to the backup and restore history tables after each backup or restore operation is performed; therefore, we recommend that you periodically execute sp_delete_backuphistory.

Note

The backup and restore history tables reside in the msdb database.

Transact-SQL Syntax Conventions

Syntax

sp_delete_backuphistory [ @oldest_date = ] 'oldest_date' 

Arguments

• [ @oldest_date= ] 'oldest_date'
  Is the oldest date retained in the backup and restore history tables. oldest_date is datetime, with no default.

Return Code Values

0 (success) or 1 (failure)

Result Sets

None

Remarks

sp_delete_backuphistory must be run from the msdb database and affects the following tables:

• backupfile
• backupfilegroup
• backupmediafamily
• backupmediaset
• backupset
• restorefile
• restorefilegroup
• restorehistory

Permissions

Requires membership in the sysadmin fixed server role, but permissions can be granted to other users.

Examples

The following example deletes all entries that are older than August 20, 1998, 12:00 A.M. in the backup and restore history tables.

USE msdb;
GO
EXEC sp_delete_backuphistory '08/20/98';

See Also

Reference

sp_delete_database_backuphistory (Transact-SQL)

Other Resources

Viewing Information About Backups

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance