To maintain files in a retained file system, a run-time error detection code (EDC) is generated for a retained file. The run-time EDC is generated on the basis of at least one of entire content and metadata of the retained file. Further, the run-time EDC is compared with a validation EDC associated with the retained file to identify a corruption of the retained file. The validation EDC is generated at an instance of placing the retained file in the retained FS. Furthermore, the validation EDC is based on at least one of entire content and metadata of the retained file. Based on the comparison, an original version of the retained file may is restored from a trusted backup system.