Comments on: How to Delete Individual Backups from Apple Time Machine http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/ The personal blog of Adam Nash Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:07:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Rob http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28864 Rob Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:29:05 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28864 Ahhhh, every time my Time Machine volume gets near full, it's back to reading and rereading threads on deleting back ups from Time Machine... BTW, I realize the title of this article is a little confusing, as deleting "individual backups" could mean deleting individual FILES or deleting individual backup SETS (which could mean set's of files from a particular backup group, or even a set of all backups of an individual file). I think different comments posted here are based on various ways of interpreting "individual backups." I've found the FREE trial version of Back-In-Time is really helpful if you want to delete specific versions of backed up files from a Time Machine volume. If you're trying to clear space on your TM volume, I find it extremely useful that Back-In-Time shows you all versions of a backed up file on one screen, so it's extremely easy to see which to delete and which to keep. I also like that you can see package content of backed up files (such as, the files insides an iPhoto Library) with Back-In-Time, and am currently deleting many of GB of large, old backed-up iPhoto files (Thumb64Segment.data and ThumbJPGSegment.data), while keeping only the most current versions. Note that when you delete large files, you'll often have to wait many many hours (in Time Machine or Back-In-Time) until the deletion is complete -- be patient, and don't start the process unless you have time to let it finish! Not sure if one way is faster or slower than another, but I do like that Back-In-Time shows you your progress more accurately than Time Machine seems to. Also, GrandPerspective is a great application to visually see what files are taking up a lot of room on your Time Machine volume, it's how I realized the iPhoto files were taking up soooo much room (I also saw some large Picasa files, which I will be deleting). All-in-all, GrandPerspecitve and Back-In-Time have been a live-saver for me to intelligently clear large unneeded files from my Time Machine volume, extending the time until the volume is full. Hope this helps someone out there... Though I also feel the need to warn, if you don't feel sure what you're doing, deleting files in your backup could result in deleting only back-ups of important files, and you might not realize it until your main drive fails and you turn to TM to recover. This is true no matter what program you use. BTW, I do have a curiosity question (it was more than curiosity, until I discovered how well Back-In-Time works): I sometimes read you can delete TM volume files directly from the Finder, and sometimes I read you cannot (or should not) do that. Any experts know if that should or shouldn't be done? Does Time Machine use it's own catalog to keep track of backed-up files (which means Finder deletions would seem bad), or does it just read what is on the disk (which would make Finder deletions seem fine)? Oh, another question for any TM experts (if they exist)... Why does deleting TM files often take so so long? I just don't understand what is happening under the hood that makes it take thousands of times longer than it takes to delete a file from a non-TM volume. Ahhhh, every time my Time Machine volume gets near full, it’s back to reading and rereading threads on deleting back ups from Time Machine… BTW, I realize the title of this article is a little confusing, as deleting “individual backups” could mean deleting individual FILES or deleting individual backup SETS (which could mean set’s of files from a particular backup group, or even a set of all backups of an individual file). I think different comments posted here are based on various ways of interpreting “individual backups.”

I’ve found the FREE trial version of Back-In-Time is really helpful if you want to delete specific versions of backed up files from a Time Machine volume. If you’re trying to clear space on your TM volume, I find it extremely useful that Back-In-Time shows you all versions of a backed up file on one screen, so it’s extremely easy to see which to delete and which to keep. I also like that you can see package content of backed up files (such as, the files insides an iPhoto Library) with Back-In-Time, and am currently deleting many of GB of large, old backed-up iPhoto files (Thumb64Segment.data and ThumbJPGSegment.data), while keeping only the most current versions.

Note that when you delete large files, you’ll often have to wait many many hours (in Time Machine or Back-In-Time) until the deletion is complete — be patient, and don’t start the process unless you have time to let it finish! Not sure if one way is faster or slower than another, but I do like that Back-In-Time shows you your progress more accurately than Time Machine seems to.

Also, GrandPerspective is a great application to visually see what files are taking up a lot of room on your Time Machine volume, it’s how I realized the iPhoto files were taking up soooo much room (I also saw some large Picasa files, which I will be deleting).

All-in-all, GrandPerspecitve and Back-In-Time have been a live-saver for me to intelligently clear large unneeded files from my Time Machine volume, extending the time until the volume is full. Hope this helps someone out there… Though I also feel the need to warn, if you don’t feel sure what you’re doing, deleting files in your backup could result in deleting only back-ups of important files, and you might not realize it until your main drive fails and you turn to TM to recover. This is true no matter what program you use.

BTW, I do have a curiosity question (it was more than curiosity, until I discovered how well Back-In-Time works): I sometimes read you can delete TM volume files directly from the Finder, and sometimes I read you cannot (or should not) do that. Any experts know if that should or shouldn’t be done? Does Time Machine use it’s own catalog to keep track of backed-up files (which means Finder deletions would seem bad), or does it just read what is on the disk (which would make Finder deletions seem fine)?

Oh, another question for any TM experts (if they exist)… Why does deleting TM files often take so so long? I just don’t understand what is happening under the hood that makes it take thousands of times longer than it takes to delete a file from a non-TM volume.

]]> By: JD http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28853 JD Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:11:19 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28853 Thanks for the pointers, works very well indeed! Thanks for the pointers, works very well indeed!

]]> By: Davide http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28832 Davide Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:10:49 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28832 Very Very good!!! Thanks a lot! Very Very good!!!
Thanks a lot!

]]> By: Almo http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28745 Almo Sat, 15 May 2010 23:41:06 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28745 Good deal. I had made the same navigation mistake as other people have mentioned, and now I find this article and I get it. Thanks a lot! Good deal. I had made the same navigation mistake as other people have mentioned, and now I find this article and I get it. Thanks a lot!

]]> By: Matt http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28744 Matt Sat, 15 May 2010 19:21:29 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28744 Lifesaver! I haven't had any major things I've needed to keep in my backups and I've been itching to delete a few of them... What tricked me in your instructions was that you have to be in TIME MACHINE, viewing the Computer window in the finder. I tried to find the "Delete Backup" under the gears (Actions) menu when I wasn't in Time Machine, and of course it wasn't there... lol. Didn't catch that. Lifesaver!

I haven’t had any major things I’ve needed to keep in my backups and I’ve been itching to delete a few of them…

What tricked me in your instructions was that you have to be in TIME MACHINE, viewing the Computer window in the finder. I tried to find the “Delete Backup” under the gears (Actions) menu when I wasn’t in Time Machine, and of course it wasn’t there… lol. Didn’t catch that.

]]> By: Peter Anthony Gales http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28735 Peter Anthony Gales Mon, 10 May 2010 15:07:35 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28735 This was very clear and helpful. I was just about to try deleting the folder from the regular Finder window and thought better of it. This was very clear and helpful. I was just about to try deleting the folder from the regular Finder window and thought better of it.

]]> By: Rob http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28511 Rob Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:55:51 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28511 Hey thread, I just ran across a program that's been around awhile called Back-In-Time. Based on reading the 4/14/10 MacWorld review, it sounds like this software offers an easy interface that should be extremely helpful in finding and deleting files based on user-selectable criteria. When I have time, I'm going to try it and see if I can intelligently reclaim some space on my TM volume. Hey thread, I just ran across a program that’s been around awhile called Back-In-Time. Based on reading the 4/14/10 MacWorld review, it sounds like this software offers an easy interface that should be extremely helpful in finding and deleting files based on user-selectable criteria. When I have time, I’m going to try it and see if I can intelligently reclaim some space on my TM volume.

]]> By: Rachel Brown http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28465 Rachel Brown Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:24:31 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28465 My computer did the same thing. I have two backups left, the latest, and the second to latest.. and it's still chugging. I don't know what's going to happen. I don't understand the opening Finder and clicking on my computer. Finder in Time Machine? Or Escaping from Time Machine and clicking on Finder... then what gear do I press? Little bit confused. I'll check back the next time I need to delete any backups, because so far, Time Machine hasn't deleted any for me :S My computer did the same thing.
I have two backups left, the latest, and the second to latest.. and it’s still chugging. I don’t know what’s going to happen.

I don’t understand the opening Finder and clicking on my computer.
Finder in Time Machine? Or Escaping from Time Machine and clicking on Finder… then what gear do I press?

Little bit confused. I’ll check back the next time I need to delete any backups, because so far, Time Machine hasn’t deleted any for me :S

]]> By: benr http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28400 benr Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:02:50 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28400 I believe that Apple made it too simple. If you find a particular file in TM that you know is useless to save as a backup, you can delete a specific version of it by selecting "delete backup", or you can "delete all backups", effectively removing many versions of it. That works great if you are targeting files or folders that you wish TM to forget. Now take that logic to the folder that represents the entire day of files, and in essence you are instructing it to "delete all backups" of days.... even though it says the specific "date", it is really deleting all dates. The folders at the root of the backup are named as the date and time of backup, so they appear to be unique, yet this function assumes all folder at that level are the same. I see this as a bug. It should not allow us delete all dates in that manner. A reformat would be cleaner way to start over. BenR I believe that Apple made it too simple.

If you find a particular file in TM that you know is useless to save as a backup, you can delete a specific version of it by selecting “delete backup”, or you can “delete all backups”, effectively removing many versions of it. That works great if you are targeting files or folders that you wish TM to forget.

Now take that logic to the folder that represents the entire day of files, and in essence you are instructing it to “delete all backups” of days…. even though it says the specific “date”, it is really deleting all dates.

The folders at the root of the backup are named as the date and time of backup, so they appear to be unique, yet this function assumes all folder at that level are the same.

I see this as a bug. It should not allow us delete all dates in that manner. A reformat would be cleaner way to start over.

BenR

]]> By: john http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28362 john Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:32:50 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28362 well i just lost all my 2008 files even though i click on delete all backups of a specific date. i clicked thru to the date of the backup i didnt need, right clicked and then chose delete all backups of x.x.x.x. date (there is only one backup of this date) but it ruined my entire year of 2008. i tried following the instructions on this thread on a diff file, but i dont understand, paul states, 1. Open time machine (not the preferences window) -done 2. Use the time line date selector to choose the backup you want to remove -i navigated to the date of backup i wanted to delete 3. In finder, in the left hand side panel under devices, select your computer - ok... 4. Open the gears menu drop down and you should see ‘delete backup - nope dont see it, it says delete all backups of x.x.x.x. date 5. Enter your password 6. Close time machine 7. Watch the finder window with a progress bar deleting the backup well i just lost all my 2008 files even though i click on delete all backups of a specific date. i clicked thru to the date of the backup i didnt need, right clicked and then chose delete all backups of x.x.x.x. date (there is only one backup of this date) but it ruined my entire year of 2008.
i tried following the instructions on this thread on a diff file, but i dont understand,
paul states,
1. Open time machine (not the preferences window)
-done
2. Use the time line date selector to choose the backup you want to remove
-i navigated to the date of backup i wanted to delete
3. In finder, in the left hand side panel under devices, select your computer
- ok…
4. Open the gears menu drop down and you should see ‘delete backup
- nope dont see it, it says delete all backups of x.x.x.x. date
5. Enter your password
6. Close time machine
7. Watch the finder window with a progress bar deleting the backup

]]> By: Jesse Smith http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28341 Jesse Smith Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:22:34 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28341 I get no 'Delete Backup' option using the gear menu where the back-ups are listed. Just a 'Move to trash' option. Which for one back-up in the trash, got to almost 1,600,000 items before it started deleting. Any one know how to delete back-ups super fast? I get no ‘Delete Backup’ option using the gear menu where the back-ups are listed. Just a ‘Move to trash’ option. Which for one back-up in the trash, got to almost 1,600,000 items before it started deleting. Any one know how to delete back-ups super fast?

]]> By: Rob http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28201 Rob Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:53:05 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28201 Paul, I'm not sure how this really differs from the direction in the original post. And overall, I'm not sure why one decides to reclaim drive space by deleting an entire backup -- how can you feel sure that you're not deleting the only copy of an important file? That seems like a big issue to me. I feel much better searching for very large backup files and deleting them if I feel confident I won't need them any longer. Am I missing something? I'm eager to learn if I am, I sure don't feel confident about messing with TM backups. Paul, I’m not sure how this really differs from the direction in the original post. And overall, I’m not sure why one decides to reclaim drive space by deleting an entire backup — how can you feel sure that you’re not deleting the only copy of an important file? That seems like a big issue to me. I feel much better searching for very large backup files and deleting them if I feel confident I won’t need them any longer. Am I missing something? I’m eager to learn if I am, I sure don’t feel confident about messing with TM backups.

]]> By: Paul http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-28184 Paul Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:50:56 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-28184 I also came across the "delete all backups" menu option and fortunately having read the posts above I knew not to select it! After some further trial and error I figured it out and this explains what I did in the clearest terms I can describe... 1. Open time machine (not the preferences window) 2. Use the time line date selector to choose the backup you want to remove 3. In finder, in the left hand side panel under devices, select your computer 4. Open the gears menu drop down and you should see 'delete backup' 5. Enter your password 6. Close time machine 7. Watch the finder window with a progress bar deleting the backup Job done! I also came across the “delete all backups” menu option and fortunately having read the posts above I knew not to select it! After some further trial and error I figured it out and this explains what I did in the clearest terms I can describe…

1. Open time machine (not the preferences window)
2. Use the time line date selector to choose the backup you want to remove
3. In finder, in the left hand side panel under devices, select your computer
4. Open the gears menu drop down and you should see ‘delete backup’
5. Enter your password
6. Close time machine
7. Watch the finder window with a progress bar deleting the backup

Job done!

]]> By: Will http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-27677 Will Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:55:45 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-27677 is it normal to have a LOT of free space after deleting your very first backup? it kinda makes me nervous, as it looks like others' did not encounter the same situation, rather not much space was freed.. i'd love some verification that what i did in the toolbox was alright? thanks is it normal to have a LOT of free space after deleting your very first backup? it kinda makes me nervous, as it looks like others’ did not encounter the same situation, rather not much space was freed..
i’d love some verification that what i did in the toolbox was alright?
thanks

]]> By: Will http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-27676 Will Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:47:55 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-27676 what does hard linking mean? so can i delete all but the most recent backup? ps i have movies etc on my back up drive as well. are those threatened? what does hard linking mean? so can i delete all but the most recent backup?

ps i have movies etc on my back up drive as well. are those threatened?

]]> By: Adam Nash http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-27670 Adam Nash Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:54:15 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-27670 Actually, I've restored a machine from a Time Machine backup, and it was quite quick. Comparable to doing a full clone of the hard drive (in my case, it was a 500GB drive). It took quite a few hours, but roughly the same time a full copy would have taken. I was quite pleased, overall, with the experience. It was: 1) Step one, run Mac OS X installer on machine with clean hard drive 2) Installer asked if I was restoring from Time Machine, I said yes 3) Pointed installer at Time Machine backup. 4) It ran for a few hours. I did notice some small issues - there were some aliases that I had to re-establish for example. Overall, it was pretty good. Actually, I’ve restored a machine from a Time Machine backup, and it was quite quick. Comparable to doing a full clone of the hard drive (in my case, it was a 500GB drive). It took quite a few hours, but roughly the same time a full copy would have taken.

I was quite pleased, overall, with the experience. It was:
1) Step one, run Mac OS X installer on machine with clean hard drive
2) Installer asked if I was restoring from Time Machine, I said yes
3) Pointed installer at Time Machine backup.
4) It ran for a few hours.

I did notice some small issues – there were some aliases that I had to re-establish for example. Overall, it was pretty good.

]]> By: Bryan http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-27669 Bryan Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:51:46 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-27669 Months ago I reported a similar problem, and several weeks after I had deleted backups the Time Machine did indeed recover the missing space. It took a long time (many weeks) for the system to digest and report the change. My nearly full terabyte is still half empty, a couple of months after the free space appeared. But another weakness in Time Machine has dawned on me. If I have a failure, it will take DAYS to restore because it's so slow. You can't get up and running again in an afternoon. Time Machine is great for keeping a record, but will be a big headache if it is the only backup for a complete restore. Months ago I reported a similar problem, and several weeks after I had deleted backups the Time Machine did indeed recover the missing space. It took a long time (many weeks) for the system to digest and report the change. My nearly full terabyte is still half empty, a couple of months after the free space appeared.

But another weakness in Time Machine has dawned on me. If I have a failure, it will take DAYS to restore because it’s so slow. You can’t get up and running again in an afternoon. Time Machine is great for keeping a record, but will be a big headache if it is the only backup for a complete restore.

]]> By: FooLman http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-27647 FooLman Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:25:54 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-27647 Getting basically zero space by deleting some intermediate backups is not really surprising. The only space a deleted backup can free up is the files that existed only in those backups. (Not before and not after) So you have to be pretty lucky, or have to know you have started working on something that you've deleted after... Getting basically zero space by deleting some intermediate backups is not really surprising. The only space a deleted backup can free up is the files that existed only in those backups. (Not before and not after)
So you have to be pretty lucky, or have to know you have started working on something that you’ve deleted after…

]]> By: Thomas http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-27646 Thomas Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:11:32 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-27646 Same issue as Tim - I've deleted individual backups using both the trash method from inside a sparse bundle (took ages to empty the trash) and the 'gears' method (very quick). However, despite having deleted several backups, the amount of space shown as being free on the Time Capsule has not changed AT ALL - on my 2TB Time Capsule it was "1.17TB available" before and after. Anybody know if any free space is created? I hope it isn't going into a 'black hole' once I delete backups that is hard to recover! Thoughts on a postcard please - I will also contact Apple for their thoughts. Thanks! Same issue as Tim – I’ve deleted individual backups using both the trash method from inside a sparse bundle (took ages to empty the trash) and the ‘gears’ method (very quick).
However, despite having deleted several backups, the amount of space shown as being free on the Time Capsule has not changed AT ALL – on my 2TB Time Capsule it was “1.17TB available” before and after. Anybody know if any free space is created? I hope it isn’t going into a ‘black hole’ once I delete backups that is hard to recover!
Thoughts on a postcard please – I will also contact Apple for their thoughts. Thanks!

]]> By: Nwriko http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-26907 Nwriko Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:02:04 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-26907 don't know if anyone is still following this thread but i'll still give it a try.. one never knows.. i think i have done everything right.. i navigated to the top menu inside time machine and deleted 2 months worth of back ups.. HOWEVER, once i entered in time machine preferences so as to check how much free space i had created... ZERO.. same as before i started with two months less of back-ups available.. thoughts anyone? thx don’t know if anyone is still following this thread but i’ll still give it a try.. one never knows..

i think i have done everything right.. i navigated to the top menu inside time machine and deleted 2 months worth of back ups..

HOWEVER, once i entered in time machine preferences so as to check how much free space i had created… ZERO.. same as before i started with two months less of back-ups available..

thoughts anyone?

thx

]]> By: links for 2009-09-22 | .:: a few thoughts on the subject by rob wright ::. http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-26884 links for 2009-09-22 | .:: a few thoughts on the subject by rob wright ::. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:04:53 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-26884 [...] How to Delete Individual Backups from Apple Time Machine « Psychohistory (tags: howto osx apple timemachine) September 22nd 2009 Posted to Links [...] [...] How to Delete Individual Backups from Apple Time Machine « Psychohistory (tags: howto osx apple timemachine) September 22nd 2009 Posted to Links [...]

]]> By: Bryan http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-26804 Bryan Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:39:08 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-26804 I've been following these comments. My external TM drive got filled up by including a second volume I neglected to add to the exclusion list. I added it to the list and then used the "gear" menu in the TM window to remove ALL backups to the specified volume. This took many hours, and the backup file as viewed from Finder seems to have lost the volume in question. But TM still shows the backups and the free space on the TM drive did not change. Any ideas why I did not recover the hundreds of GB of storage? I’ve been following these comments. My external TM drive got filled up by including a second volume I neglected to add to the exclusion list. I added it to the list and then used the “gear” menu in the TM window to remove ALL backups to the specified volume. This took many hours, and the backup file as viewed from Finder seems to have lost the volume in question. But TM still shows the backups and the free space on the TM drive did not change. Any ideas why I did not recover the hundreds of GB of storage?

]]> By: Rob http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-26697 Rob Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:33:24 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-26697 Just in case anyone wants to know, my deletions from Time Machine took a couple of hours. After deleting a few more items, the time to delete didn't vary as much by size as I expected. Rather, some file types seemed to take much longer than others. Jed also mentioned to me that his files eventually deleted, but to me, any process that unexpectedly takes over 36 hours to complete is a little disconcerting. Just in case anyone wants to know, my deletions from Time Machine took a couple of hours. After deleting a few more items, the time to delete didn’t vary as much by size as I expected. Rather, some file types seemed to take much longer than others. Jed also mentioned to me that his files eventually deleted, but to me, any process that unexpectedly takes over 36 hours to complete is a little disconcerting.

]]> By: Rob http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-26685 Rob Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:17:58 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-26685 I'm in Jed's boat, and also would like to hear from the author (Adam) to see if he encountered this issue, and if so, how long it took to resolve... I just deleted several 5GB files, and now I have a "Delete Backups" dialog box with 5 activities going, each saying "Delete One Backup." It's been about 45 minutes so far... Also, as Jed notes, the files still appear in the TM interface after deleting them. I think I deleted the same file more than once, and hope that isn't causing any issues. I’m in Jed’s boat, and also would like to hear from the author (Adam) to see if he encountered this issue, and if so, how long it took to resolve… I just deleted several 5GB files, and now I have a “Delete Backups” dialog box with 5 activities going, each saying “Delete One Backup.” It’s been about 45 minutes so far…
Also, as Jed notes, the files still appear in the TM interface after deleting them. I think I deleted the same file more than once, and hope that isn’t causing any issues.

]]> By: Justin http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-26492 Justin Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:06:51 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-26492 Thanks man, this was really helpful. I am backup up 2 different MacBooks on 1 external HD. One MacBook gobbled up most of the space, and now I don't have enough space on the HD to backup the other MacBook. I was about to wipe the entire drive and start over. This is much easier. Thanks man, this was really helpful. I am backup up 2 different MacBooks on 1 external HD. One MacBook gobbled up most of the space, and now I don’t have enough space on the HD to backup the other MacBook. I was about to wipe the entire drive and start over. This is much easier.

]]> By: Jed http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-26462 Jed Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:53:40 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-26462 Thanks very much for this info! Very useful. I have two followup questions: 1. How long does deleting a backup take? It disappears from TM instantly, but then when I return to the ordinary Finder, it displays a dialog box saying "Delete One Backup" with a barber-pole "in progress" bar. When I delete a single backup, it seems to take a couple hours. So I decided to delete a bunch of backups in one deletion session, rather than waiting for each one to finish. (It seemed to make sense at the time, but in retrospect I think this was a bad choice on my part.) There are now 17 backup deletions in progress, and it's been running for 36 hours straight, and I have no way to tell how much longer it'll take. (I'll file an Apple feature request to ask for an actual progress bar.) You said you needed to free up 200GB, which is about what I need to free up; how long did the deletions take? 2. Related to Tim's question from a few months back, how do you compress/compact the sparsebundle after the deletions finish? I'm guessing the context menu will do it, but I'm not sure -- is there a better way? I think I once saw a dialog box in which TM offered to do the compression for me; maybe I just need to run another backup after I finish the deletions, and it'll offer to compress the sparsebundle? Not sure. PS: In case anyone's trying to delete multiple backups in a row, note that the TM GUI gets confused about what date it's showing immediately after deleting a backup. Before you delete the next backup, even if it looks like you're viewing the backup you want to delete, use the arrows to navigate back and forth to get TM to sync up the displayed date with the backup that it thinks is selected. Thanks very much for this info! Very useful.

I have two followup questions:

1. How long does deleting a backup take? It disappears from TM instantly, but then when I return to the ordinary Finder, it displays a dialog box saying “Delete One Backup” with a barber-pole “in progress” bar. When I delete a single backup, it seems to take a couple hours. So I decided to delete a bunch of backups in one deletion session, rather than waiting for each one to finish. (It seemed to make sense at the time, but in retrospect I think this was a bad choice on my part.) There are now 17 backup deletions in progress, and it’s been running for 36 hours straight, and I have no way to tell how much longer it’ll take. (I’ll file an Apple feature request to ask for an actual progress bar.) You said you needed to free up 200GB, which is about what I need to free up; how long did the deletions take?

2. Related to Tim’s question from a few months back, how do you compress/compact the sparsebundle after the deletions finish? I’m guessing the context menu will do it, but I’m not sure — is there a better way? I think I once saw a dialog box in which TM offered to do the compression for me; maybe I just need to run another backup after I finish the deletions, and it’ll offer to compress the sparsebundle? Not sure.

PS: In case anyone’s trying to delete multiple backups in a row, note that the TM GUI gets confused about what date it’s showing immediately after deleting a backup. Before you delete the next backup, even if it looks like you’re viewing the backup you want to delete, use the arrows to navigate back and forth to get TM to sync up the displayed date with the backup that it thinks is selected.

]]> By: E http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-26349 E Sun, 07 Jun 2009 08:59:41 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-26349 Thank you! Worked well. I appreciate it. (What happens if you click on "Delete all backups of... " ?) Thank you! Worked well. I appreciate it.

(What happens if you click on “Delete all backups of… ” ?)

]]> By: Rob http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-26348 Rob Sun, 07 Jun 2009 06:42:36 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-26348 One of the clever things Time Machine does is hard-linking every unchanged file or folder to the previous change. Because of this, each revision of the backup is essentially a full backup. When you delete any one version, it just deletes those hard links. Thus, if any other hard links exist, the data remains in the filesystem. One of the clever things Time Machine does is hard-linking every unchanged file or folder to the previous change. Because of this, each revision of the backup is essentially a full backup. When you delete any one version, it just deletes those hard links. Thus, if any other hard links exist, the data remains in the filesystem.

]]> By: Rob http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-26347 Rob Sun, 07 Jun 2009 06:23:26 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-26347 You need to do this by going to the Finder and selecting "Computer" from the Go menu. Once that is open click on the Time Machine icon in the dock, or launch it via Spotlight. Navigate to the time of the backup you want deleted and select "Delete Backup" from the gear menu. You need to do this by going to the Finder and selecting “Computer” from the Go menu. Once that is open click on the Time Machine icon in the dock, or launch it via Spotlight. Navigate to the time of the backup you want deleted and select “Delete Backup” from the gear menu.

]]> By: James http://blog.adamnash.com/2008/03/02/how-to-delete-individual-backups-from-apple-time-machine/#comment-26212 James Mon, 11 May 2009 08:57:32 +0000 http://psychohistory.wordpress.com/?p=653#comment-26212 JW and all: Wanting to protect my first backup, I manually removed all intermediate backups from the backup drive in Finder. Took a while but worked. What I do NOT know is whether or not Time Machine is working by recursively checking for differences all the way through it's list of backups. If that's the case, then deleting backups manually is fine as long as you do a new backup immediately after, because of these possible problems: - Intervening backups being the only instances of files needed. Fixed by doing a new "backup now". - Something that may not be possible: That the "first backup" is actually an alias to a previous (deleted) backup: Doign "Backup now" would fix this obviously - because the live version of the file would by definition be different. So fixed by "backup now". The reason I'm doing this is I have a corrupt catalogue file apparently: On startup, Macbook pro won't get past spinning wheel thing on grey screen before shutting itself down again. Permissions repair works, disk repair fails "invalid record count" ... and I'm not sure if a backup-restore rewrites the catalogue file - does anyone know? But that's the reason I need to keep the 'first' backup - the one that predates the problem. Anyway I'd be grateful for any thoughts out there. JW and all:

Wanting to protect my first backup, I manually removed all intermediate backups from the backup drive in Finder. Took a while but worked.

What I do NOT know is whether or not Time Machine is working by recursively checking for differences all the way through it’s list of backups.

If that’s the case, then deleting backups manually is fine as long as you do a new backup immediately after, because of these possible problems:

- Intervening backups being the only instances of files needed. Fixed by doing a new “backup now”.
- Something that may not be possible: That the “first backup” is actually an alias to a previous (deleted) backup: Doign “Backup now” would fix this obviously – because the live version of the file would by definition be different. So fixed by “backup now”.

The reason I’m doing this is I have a corrupt catalogue file apparently: On startup, Macbook pro won’t get past spinning wheel thing on grey screen before shutting itself down again.
Permissions repair works, disk repair fails “invalid record count”

… and I’m not sure if a backup-restore rewrites the catalogue file – does anyone know?

But that’s the reason I need to keep the ‘first’ backup – the one that predates the problem.

Anyway I’d be grateful for any thoughts out there.

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