Yes, i do take backups to a new file on a daily basis. was just experimenting with backup devices on test server when i came across that question.

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it seems expiredate and retaindays do not go together in 2000.

Server: Msg 3031, Level 16, State 1, Line 3

Option 'expiredate' conflicts with option(s) 'retaindays'. Remove the conflicting option and reissue the statement.

using these options together is possible in 2005 where RETAINDAYS takes precedence over EXPIREDATE. --msdn

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It works with files as well.

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What i was trying to figure out a way to expire or delete a particular backup set from a backup file(a backup file can contain multiple backups). Tried searching for this possibility... seems this is not possible..

with INIT overwrites the entire file and with SKIP overrides expirydate or retaindays clauses...