(xemacs.info)Backup Deletion

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14.3.1.2 Automatic Deletion of Backups
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To prevent unlimited consumption of disk space, Emacs can delete
numbered backup versions automatically.  Generally Emacs keeps the
first few backups and the latest few backups, deleting any in between.
This happens every time a new backup is made.  The two variables that
control the deletion are `kept-old-versions' and `kept-new-versions'.
Their values are, respectively the number of oldest (lowest-numbered)
backups to keep and the number of newest (highest-numbered) ones to
keep, each time a new backup is made.  The values are used just after a
new backup version is made; that newly made backup is included in the
count in `kept-new-versions'.  By default, both variables are 2.

   If `delete-old-versions' is non-`nil',  excess middle versions are
deleted without notification.  If it is `nil', the default, you are
asked whether the excess middle versions should really be deleted.

   You can also use Dired's `.' (Period) command to delete old versions.
Note: Dired.