Merge pull request #10510 from ryanberg-aquent/CI-9080

AB#9080: Resolve Issues Configuring Long-Term Storage for Azure Activity Logs

Author: ryanberg-aquent

support/azure/azure-monitor/activity-logs/config-export/configure-long-term-storage-activity-logs.md

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+---
+title: Resolve Issues in Configuring Long-Term Storage for Azure Activity Logs
+description: Discusses how to configure long-term storage for Azure Activity Logs past the default 90 days. 
+ms.date: 01/14/2026
+ms.author: jarrettr
+ms.editor: v-gsitser
+ms.reviewer: v-ryanberg 
+ms.service: azure-monitor
+ms.custom: I can’t configure export of Activity Logs
+---
+
+# Configure long-term storage for Azure Activity Logs
+
+This article discusses how to configure long-term storage for Azure Activity Logs. By default, Activity Logs are retained for 90 days. Users might have to store logs for a longer time for compliance or extended analysis.
+
+## Configure long-term storage
+
+### Step 1: Create a diagnostic setting
+
+1.  Go to [Azure portal](https://ms.portal.azure.com/auth/login/) > **Monitor**.
+
+2.  Under **Settings**, select **Diagnostic settings**.
+
+3.  Select **Add diagnostic setting**.
+
+4.  In **Activity Log**, select the log that you want to configure.
+
+### Step 2: Specify the destination
+
+1.  Got to **Log Analytic** > **Event Hubs** > **Azure Storage**, and then select the destinations for your logs.
+
+2.  Set the destination resource to retain logs for more than 90 days.
+
+### Step 3: Configure the retention settings
+
+1.  If you use Azure Storage, navigate to **Storage Account**.
+
+2.  Under **Data Management**, select **Lifecycle Management**.
+
+3.  Set the retention period to your desired duration.
+
+### Step 4: Verify the configuration
+
+1.  Return to **Diagnostic settings**, and make sure that your settings are saved.
+
+2.  Check the destination resource to verify that logs are stored as expected.
+
+## Frequently asked questions
+
+**Q1: Why don't the logs appear in the destination?**
+
+**A1:** Make sure that the diagnostic setting is correctly configured and the destination resource is active.
+
+**Q2: Why is the retention period not applied?**
+
+**A2:** Verify that the retention settings in the destination resource are set correctly.
+
+## References
+
+- [Azure Monitor Documentation](/azure/azure-monitor/platform/activity-log?tabs=powershell)
+
+- [Azure Storage Lifecycle Management](/azure/storage/blobs/storage-lifecycle-management-concepts)

support/azure/azure-monitor/toc.yml

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ items:
         href: activity-logs/config-export/troubleshoot-export-of-activity-logs-across-subscriptions.md
       - name: Configuring Azure Activity Log Export
         href: activity-logs/config-export/configuring-azure-activity-log-export-comprehensive-guide.md
+      - name: Configure long-term storage for Azure Activity Logs
+        href: activity-logs/config-export/configure-long-term-storage-activity-logs.md 
 - name: Application Insights
   items:
   - name: OpenTelemetry troubleshooting