---
title: "Object Lock: Applying a Legal Hold"
slug: "object-lock-applying-a-legal-hold"
description: "The Object Lock feature prohibits modification, overwriting, or deletion of specific object versions during a configured retention period, which can be a fixed amount of time or indefinitely. If object lock is enabled, you can now set it."
tags: ["Bucket Versioning", "Bucket-Level Object Retention", "Confirm Compliance Mode", "Create Bucket", "Enable Bucket Versioning", "Enable Compliance Mode", "Enable Governance Mode", "Object Logging"]
updated: 2026-01-07T15:38:57Z
published: 2026-01-07T15:38:57Z
canonical: "docs.wasabi.com/object-lock-applying-a-legal-hold"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.wasabi.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Object Lock: Applying a Legal Hold

If you want to prevent the deletion of the object for an indefinite amount of time:

1. In the Bucket List, navigate to the bucket in which the object is located. Click the bucket to show objects.
2. Show versions in the Objects list by clicking **Show****Versions**in the upper right of the list.

> This is an important step because you will not otherwise see object lock information in the File Details.
3. Click the name of the object. The File Details panel is displayed. Locate **Legal Hold**in the Object Lock area. For example:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/bef0a1ea-7768-4d5a-b520-c4fe2f7fafad/Images/Documentation/image-1718747120380.png)
4. Enable the **Legal Hold** toggle.
5. Confirm that you want to change the legal hold status for the file by clicking **Confirm**:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/bef0a1ea-7768-4d5a-b520-c4fe2f7fafad/Images/Documentation/image-1718747167217.png)

The object is "on hold" until the hold is released by disabling the toggle.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/bef0a1ea-7768-4d5a-b520-c4fe2f7fafad/Images/Documentation/image-1718747223308.png)