## Appendix M. Obsolete or Renamed Features

Functionality is sometimes removed from PostgreSQL, feature, setting and file names sometimes change, or documentation moves to different places. This section directs users coming from old versions of the documentation or from external links to the appropriate new location for the information they need.

## M.1. `recovery.conf` file merged into `postgresql.conf`

PostgreSQL 11 and below used a configuration file named `recovery.conf` to manage replicas and standbys. Support for this file was removed in PostgreSQL 12. See the release notes for PostgreSQL 12 for details on this change.

On PostgreSQL 12 and above, archive recovery, streaming replication, and PITR are configured using normal server configuration parameters. These are set in `postgresql.conf` or via ALTER SYSTEM like any other parameter.

The server will not start if a `recovery.conf` exists.

The `trigger_file` setting has been renamed to promote_trigger_file.

The `standby_mode` setting has been removed. A `standby.signal` file in the data directory is used instead. See Standby Server Operation for details.