> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nuvolos.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nuvolos.com/how-to-guides/common-workflows/snapshots/delete-a-snapshot.md).

# Delete a snapshot

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Outcome**</mark>\
You permanently remove a snapshot you no longer need, freeing up the storage it referenced.

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Before you start**</mark>

* You hold the **Instance Editor** role or higher in the instance.
* You have confirmed you no longer need the snapshot - deletion is permanent.
* You understand that data only stored in this snapshot (and nowhere else) will be permanently lost.

Snapshots are immutable - they cannot be partially modified or selectively cleaned up. If you delete a file or table from the Current State, the data is not freed up as long as it still exists in at least one snapshot. To reclaim that storage, you must delete every snapshot that contains the data. For the underlying reasoning, see [Concepts › Snapshots, distribution, and states](/concepts/distribution.md).

### Delete a snapshot

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the space containing the instance.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Navigate to the instance.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Open the snapshot timeline view via either the snapshot dropdown in the breadcrumbs (**LIST ALL SNAPSHOTS**) or by hovering over the camera icon on the sidebar and clicking **SNAPSHOTS**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Identify the snapshot you want to delete.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the bin icon next to the snapshot name.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Confirm the operation by clicking **I UNDERSTAND**, then **DELETE SNAPSHOT**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Once deleted, a snapshot cannot be recovered. If the snapshot is the only place the data still exists - i.e. the data has been removed from the Current State and from all other snapshots - the data is gone for good. Take a fresh snapshot of anything you still need before deleting old ones.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
If you experience issues when deleting a snapshot, please refer to the [troubleshooting guide](/troubleshooting/troubleshooting/administration-troubleshooting/i-cant-delete-a-snapshot.md).
{% endhint %}