# Deleting storage volumes


You might need to delete a volume as your application needs change—for example, if you migrate your application to use a larger storage volume. Before you delete a volume, make sure that there are no applications currently writing to the volume. Also, make sure that there are no snapshots in progress for the volume. If a snapshot schedule is defined for the volume, you can check it on the **Snapshot Schedules** tab of the Storage Gateway console. For more information, see [Editing a snapshot schedule](SchedulingSnapshot.md). 

You can delete volumes using the Storage Gateway console or the Storage Gateway API. For information on using the Storage Gateway API to remove volumes, see [Delete Volume](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/storagegateway/latest/APIReference/API_DeleteVolume.html). The following procedure demonstrates using the console. 

Before you delete a volume, back up your data or take a snapshot of your critical data. For stored volumes, your local disks aren't erased. After you delete a volume, you can't get it back.<a name="CachedRemovingAStorageVolume"></a>

**To delete a volume**

1. Open the Storage Gateway console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/storagegateway/home](https://console.aws.amazon.com/storagegateway/).

1. Choose **Volumes**, then select one or more volumes to delete.

1. For **Actions** choose **Delete volume**. The confirmation dialog box appears.

1. Verify that you want to delete the specified volumes, then type the word *delete* in the confirmation box and choose **Delete**.