Amazon S3's Lifecycle Policies are powerful tools to automate transitions and deletions of objects between storage classes. However, if not configured correctly, they can result in unexpected storage costs, especially when objects move to GLACIER or DEEP_ARCHIVE.
If you’ve created a lifecycle rule (like "TransitionAndExpirationRule") just for trial and want to delete it to stop incurring additional charges, follow this simple step-by-step guide.
🖥️ 1. Go to the AWS Console
Head over to AWS Console and log in with your credentials.
🪣 2. Navigate to the S3 Dashboard
Click on “S3” under the “Storage” category or use the search bar to find it.
📂 3. Select Your Bucket
Choose the S3 bucket that has the lifecycle rule you want to remove.
⚙️ 4. Go to the "Management" Tab
Navigate to the “Management” tab where all lifecycle rules are listed.
📜 5. Identify Your Lifecycle Rule
Locate the rule you created earlier, such as TransitionAndExpirationRule.
✅ 6. Click the Rule Name
Click on the rule name to view its configuration and actions.
🗑️ 7. Add expiration days
🔒 8. Confirm Deletion
Confirm the deletion when prompted. Once deleted, this rule will no longer transition or delete objects.
💸 Why Delete Lifecycle Policies?
- Prevent accidental data transitions to high-cost storage like GLACIER.
- Avoid automatic deletions of critical files.
- Regain manual control over object storage.
✅ Final Result
Once deleted, you’ll see that the rule no longer exists in the management tab:
