I have my backup options set to keep only the last 3 backup sets.

I recently ran into a problem where there wasn't enough disk space on my backup drive.

Is there a way to delete the oldest backup set before starting, to make room?

Or does backup #4 have to complete before #1 is deleted?

Thanks.

ShadowProtect 3.2 has a new retention policy option that allows deleting files before backup instead of after backup.  It is available for download from our website.

STC

Thanks!

I installed 3.2 over 3.1 and didn't know that was added, so never looked.

I checked the box, and will see how it works out.

Thanks again.

I run a full backup every night.  I had the "image back-up sets to retain" count at 5 and had checked the box "Enforce policy before starting the next full backup".  After running the backup 5 times, I had backups 1-5 for each partition sitting on my external drive.  Then I ran for the 6th time.  I expected SPD to delete the first backup and when the job was done, I would have backups 2-6.   SPD did not delete the oldest backups and the job failed because of insufficient space. 

It seems the "Enforce policy..." is not working.  Does anyone have a solution for this problem?

Are your backups on a local drive or a network location?  The "Enforce policy before starting the next full" option does not work for network locations that require credentials in 3.2.  This has been fixed for the upcoming release.

 I use only local drives.  The drive used for my backups has a USB connection.

Ok.  Did you edit the job and turn on retention after some backups had been taken or did you set the retention when the job was first created?  ShadowProtect only enforces the retention policy from the last full image taken before the retention policy is set.

Yes, I did change the retention setting after I first created the job.  I didn't know about this rule.

That answers my question.  Doug, THANKS for your help!