> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.box.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating a Retention Policy

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<Note>
  **Note**

  Retention policies are designed to meet regulatory requirements such as [FINRA](https://www.finra.org/#/) and, when configured properly, enable customers to meet compliance and regulatory requirements. This means once retention is applied to content, it CANNOT be removed or shortened, which means the policy's *Time Period* and *Apply Policy To* settings cannot be changed, and folders CANNOT be removed.
</Note>

1. Go to **Admin Console >** **Governance**.
2. Click the **Retention** tab.
3. Click **Create Retention Policy**.
4. Enter the retention policy details. For more information, see the Retention Tab section in [Governance Settings](/en/box-admin-tools/box-admin-reference/governance-settings).
5. Click **Next**.
6. In the *Apply Policy To* setting:

   * If you selected *Content within specific folders*, click **Select Folders**, and then select one or more folders.
   * If you selected *Content with specific metadata*, click **Select Metadata**, and then select one or more metadata items.
7. Click **Next**.
8. Review the policy details.
9. In the Retention Policy Warning dialog box, click any necessary confirmation check boxes, and then click **Start Policy**.

<Note>
  **Note**

  When a folder-specific retention policy is created, the retention policy will be applied to any individual files from within the specified folder that are already in the trash. The retention policy will **not** be applied to any subfolders from within the specified folder that are already in the trash.
</Note>