# How To Manage Activity Retention With BetterShield Ultra?

Keep 90, 180 or 365 days, create sealed monthly downloads and understand what shortening retention removes.

With **[BetterShield Ultra](/ultra/)**, keep 90, 180 or 365 days, create sealed monthly downloads and understand what shortening retention removes.

_**Note:** These controls require the paid [BetterShield Ultra](/ultra/) add-on alongside the free BetterShield plugin._

## What it does

Open **BetterShield › Ultra › Activity history**. Ultra keeps 90 days by default. **Keep the activity log for** also offers 180 or 365 days with Free 1.1.2 or newer. The screen estimates storage use. Longer retention does not restore records already removed.

<span id="set-it-up" aria-hidden="true"></span>

## Step 1: Open How long activity is kept

Choose 90, 180 or 365 days under **How long activity is kept** and select **Save**.

<figure class="doc-shot">
  <img src="/docs/screenshots/ultra-activity-history.png" alt="Choose Ultra activity retention and archives: saved state and available controls in BetterShield." width="982" height="311" loading="lazy" decoding="async">
  <figcaption>Review the state and choices shown on your own site before applying a change.</figcaption>
</figure>

## Step 2: Choose Ultra activity retention and archives

- If you want monthly copies, enable **Save each month’s activity as a file you can download**. It starts off.
- Choose **JSON, one file** or **CSV (spreadsheet), plus a JSON proof file**; JSON is the default.
- Download an existing archive, or use **Create the… File Now** for a month with recorded activity.

## Recommended settings

Our advice: choose a retention period appropriate to your client agreement and available storage. Keep needed archives in private storage outside the site.

## What it can break and how to undo

Shortening retention allows older entries to be removed after an additional 30 days. Change it back within that period if needed; deleted history cannot be recovered by raising the setting. Monthly archives keep the last 12 months and contain sensitive activity.

<span id="check-it-is-working" aria-hidden="true"></span>

## Final Outcome

Read archive verification: matching, changed or no verification data are different outcomes. Check that the saved retention is supported by the installed Free version.

<figure class="doc-shot">
  <img src="/docs/screenshots/ultra-activity-history.png" alt="Choose Ultra activity retention and archives: saved state and available controls in BetterShield." width="982" height="311" loading="lazy" decoding="async">
  <figcaption>Example Ultra activity history view. Check the saved values and status on your own site.</figcaption>
</figure>

## Related

- [Ultra overview](/docs/ultra-overview/)
- [Activity log](/docs/activity-log/)
- [Evidence pack](/docs/evidence-pack/)
- [Activity log checkpoints](/docs/activity-log-checkpoints/)

This is how you can manage activity retention with BetterShield Ultra.

Getting Stuck? Feel free to contact our [Dedicated Support Team](/support/).