Deleting tape media

Last published : Apr 02, 2026
When you delete tape media from Backup Exec, all records of the media are removed from the Backup Exec database. These records include catalog information, media statistics, and other information that is associated with the tape media. You can only delete media when it belongs to the Retired Media set.
You may want to delete tape media when the following occurs:
  • You have a lot of off-site media that you do not want to recycle.
  • You throw away damaged or old media.
If you import deleted media back into Backup Exec, it is added to either the Backup Exec and Windows NT Media media set or the Foreign Media media set. Before you can restore from the media, you must catalog it.
To delete tape media
  1. On the Storage tab, expand Tape and Disk Cartridge Media.
  2. Expand All Media Sets, right-clickRetired Media, and then clickDetails.
  3. Right-click the media that you want to delete, and then click Delete.
  4. Click Yes when you are prompted to delete the media.
More Information
Retiring damaged tape media
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