Updated: 2008-05-22

A workflow is comprised of a sequence of events such as workflow initiation, task creation, and task completion. When you add a workflow, a workflow history database is automatically created to track the events for the workflow. The workflow history database stores key information about each event including date, status, participant, and description. Workflow history entries are placed in a SharePoint list that is linked to the associated list or document library for purposes of status and error reporting.

Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 runs a daily Workflow Auto Cleanup job to remove entries from the workflow history list 60 days after a workflow is completed or cancelled. You can disable the Workflow Auto Cleanup job if you want to track workflow history for a longer period. However, as with any SharePoint list, if your workflow history list exceeds 2000 items, site performance may be impacted. If you are concerned about the size of your workflow history list, you can re-enable the Workflow Auto Cleanup job. Alternatively, you can create a separate history list for each workflow association. For more information, see Add a workflow to a list or document library.

Note:

Workflow history is not intended to be used as a means of auditing workflow events and is not necessarily secure. Office SharePoint Server 2007 maintains an audit log of workflow events, but does not provide a predefined auditing report. You can develop a custom auditing report in Visual Studio by using the audit log and the SPAuditEntry class. For more information, see SPAuditEntry Class (Microsoft.SharePoint) (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=117689&clcid=0x409).

Important:
You must be a member of the Farm Administrators SharePoint group to perform this procedure.

To disable automatic workflow cleanup

1. From Central Administration, click the Operations tab on the top navigation bar.

2. On the Operations page, in the Global Configuration section, click Timer job definitions.

3. On the Timer Job Definitions page, click Workflow Auto Cleanup to edit the appropriate timer job.

4. On the Edit Timer Job page, click Disable and then click OK to disable the Workflow Auto Cleanup feature.

Note:
If you later decide that you want to enable automatic workflow cleanup, access this page again and click Enable to enable automatic workflow cleanup.