# What happens to our documents if we stop using Content Central?

Your documents and data are yours, and you can take all of them with you at any time. Here are the ways to get them out, and the 30-day retrieval window that applies when Ademero hosts your system.

Product: content-central · Versions: 7.x · Audience: system-administrator · Time: 3 minute read · Last verified: 2026-09-18

Canonical: https://help.ademero.com/content-central/administration/take-your-documents-with-you

**Your documents and data are yours. You can take all of them with you, at any time, without asking Ademero.**

## The policy

Ademero never holds your documents or your data hostage. Your document files are stored as ordinary files in the format they were captured in, and everything about them (field values, folder paths, versions, history) is stored in a standard SQL Server database. Nothing is encrypted or locked to Content Central, and nothing on this page needs Ademero's permission.

This is true whether Content Central runs on your own server or Ademero hosts it for you. The steps are the same either way. The only difference for hosted systems is a retrieval window after you end service, covered at the end.

> **NOTE:** Not sure whether your system is hosted or on your own server? Ask **your Content Central administrator**, the person at your organization (not at Ademero) who manages your users, catalogs, and workflow. Or email Ademero support and we can tell you.

## Taking your documents with you

[Export all your documents from Content Central](/content-central/administration/export-all-your-documents) walks you through it step by step, from downloading a handful of documents to exporting everything. It's self-service.

Run your exports while Content Central is still running, before you decommission anything.

## If you'd like it automated

The export guide includes the transfer service address, the calls to make, and a code outline, so your IT staff or technology partner can build the export in whatever they prefer: custom code, scripts, or a migration tool. All they need is a Content Central account with access to the documents.

## If you'd like Ademero to do it

If you don't have people for that, or would rather we handle it, Ademero is happy to do the export for you as a professional-services engagement, including help loading it into whatever comes next. That's a convenience to save you time, never a requirement.

## If Ademero hosts your Content Central

Everything above applies to you as written. The one addition is a **30-day retrieval window**. If you end hosted service, your system stays online for 30 days so you can take your documents out and confirm the copy is complete. At the end of the window Ademero permanently deletes the hosted system, including its backups, so your data doesn't linger on someone else's servers after you've moved on.

> **WARNING:** Deletion at the end of the 30 days is permanent. Start early, and if you need more time, let us know before the window ends.

## Still have questions?

Contact our solutions team at solutions@ademero.com. Tell us whether Ademero hosts your system, roughly how many documents you have, and whether you'd like a professional-services quote.

## What's next

- [Export all your documents from Content Central](https://help.ademero.com/content-central/administration/export-all-your-documents)
- [Export documents and their metadata](https://help.ademero.com/content-central/administration/export-documents-and-metadata)