A shroud retention system for a work tool is disclosed. The shroud retention system may have an adapter attached to the work tool, and a shroud having a channel that slides over the adapter. The channel may have a retainer slot. The shroud retention system may further have a spring assembly disposed in the channel and connectable to the adapter. The spring assembly may have a slide compressor that can slide within the channel relative to the adapter. The slide compressor may have a compressor mating feature. The spring assembly may further have a resilient member disposed between the adapter and the slide compressor. The shroud retention system may have a retainer plate disposed in the retainer slot. The retainer plate may have a retainer mating feature that mates with the compressor mating feature such that the retainer plate and the slide compressor are engaged in a locked position.