hidden files size are too large on time machine volume

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Level 1

4 points

hidden files size are too large on time machine volume

I have some mac-created hidden files on my external hard drive that seem way too big in size.

It is my time machine volume, that I have been using as such for the last 10 years. I am currently cleaning it up and realised that

a) old back-ups had never been deleted even though the time machine settings state that old backups would be deleted in case of disk space issues. This didn't happen, which is why I couldn't back-up anymore and started cleaning...

b) I have a couple of hidden files that seem way too big. I'll attach a screenshot.

I am strongly assuming ownership/permissions issues but wouldn't want and just go change them...

Thanks,

K

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.7

Posted on Oct 25, 2024 1:46 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

245,117 points

Oct 25, 2024 4:09 AM in response to krykryLaFeu

Being a TM drive means you cannot delete files outside of TM without messing all the backups up.

I don't have any TM volumes anymore, but some sizes from my boot drive...

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

60,242 points

Oct 31, 2024 8:57 AM in response to krykryLaFeu

The largest item in your screenshot is maybe just over 1MB in size which is extremely small by today's standards.

You may want to add the "-h" option for a human readable display of the file sizes since the default "Byte" size view is unwieldy & requires work to compute.

People just never mess with their TM backup drive since it is sure fire way to wreck the backups.

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