# Removing backups from S3-compliant storages

## Removing backups from S3 storages with versioning enabled

When using **S3** or **S3**-compliant storage with versioning enabled, files deleted through **GitProtect** may not be physically removed. Although the files are no longer visible in the bucket, they may still occupy storage space.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you do not want data to be versioned, disable the versioning mechanism in the bucket settings. Otherwise, you can regularly delete the files.
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#### To permanently delete files inside the bucket, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to the **AWS Management Console** and open the [**Amazon S3** console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/s3/).
2. In the **Buckets** list, choose the name of the bucket that contains the object.
3. In the **Objects** list, choose the name of the object.
4. Choose **Versions** (**Amazon S3** shows all the versions for the object).
5. Select the check box next to the **Version ID** for each version that you want to permanently delete.
6. Choose **Delete**.
7. In **Permanently delete objects?**, enter `permanently delete`.
8. Choose **Delete objects**.

{% hint style="danger" %}
When you permanently delete an object version, the action **cannot be undone**.
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## Useful links and items

{% embed url="<https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonS3/latest/userguide/DeletingObjectVersions.html>" %}