How to downgrade a AWS EC2?

I have an Amazon Web Service EC2 virtual server large type. Now I want to downgrade it to small type. I want to keep the hard disk information but just download the configure of the server. The main reason is to save few bucks. How can I do this?

I think I should:

1. stop the current instance.
2. detach the volume from the current instance.
3. terminate the instance.
4. recreate a new small-type instance from scratch.
5. attach the volume to the small-type instance.

I am not sure whether this is the correct way to do the downgrade or they have some formal way to do it. I tried to look up from the doc but couldn't find anything useful. I think someone here must be able to help me. Thank开发者_StackOverflow you very much.

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I don't know how it worked back then in December 2010. But now it's very simple, maybe Amazon simplified it recently.

Steps

1. Stop the instance
2. Click the Check box next to the instance
3. Click Actions button
4. Choose "Change Instance Type"

That's It!

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I think the best way is:

1. Snapshot the volumes from the current instance.
2. Create the new small type instance
3. Use the snapshot(s) to create a replica of your existing volumes.
4. Attach the new volume(s) created to small instance.
5. Test it and switch ElasticIP to the new instance if everything is working ok.

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1. Stop the instance
2. Click the Check box next to the instance
3. Click Actions button and Choose "Change Instance Type"
4. Start the Instance. That's It