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How can I delete file from uneditable backup folder via Time Machine
How can I delete a file from my backup folder on my external backup drive? I used Time Machine for the backup. However, I now want to delete some movies but I get a message that I'm not allowed to delete the file from the backup folder (and I don't have any options to still delete). How can I override this?
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Inappropriate?mmm... Usually when you right click on a backup file and go to "show package contents" you should be able to see all the files within that "so called" compressed folder and you should be able to delete any file you want without problems.
However, some backups lock the files within the package so that you cannot delete them. In this case, you have to right click on the file you want to delete, go to "get info" > "Sharing & Permissions" and see what privileges you have. Change it as necessary and you should be able to delete the file.
I hope this helps a little...
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Inappropriate?Unfortunately, this does not work. I went to Sharing & Permissions and I have Read&Write privileges. However, when I try to delete file I still get the following message: "The operation can't be completed because backup items can't be modified."
I just don't understand why I can't delete. -
Inappropriate?Question:
Are you doing this while Time Machine is on?
OR
Are you turning it off, then entering the backup drive and then try to delete the file. -
Inappropriate?I'm doing it all via the backup drive. Time Machine is not on.
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Inappropriate?These files have been set by OS X via Time Machine to be unalterable unless you reformat the drive, wouldn't you think? I suppose starting over with Time Machine isn't an option you want to consider?
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Inappropriate?Unfortunately, starting over is not an option at this time. Why are the files unalterable? I've now saved items that take up space that I don't want to save and I'd like to delete. Is there anyway to do this?
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Inappropriate?The files are unalterable because Apple has tried to make sure people get a complete backup when they use this software. It's the trade-off you always get with Apple: it's less "open" but the quality is high.
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Inappropriate?I find it difficult to believe there is not a command line to removed these files. I tried dragging to trash, but ended up with files like boot.efi which could not be deleted, even from my trash
I’m perplexed
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Inappropriate?You may find this helpful:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.ph...
1 person says
this solves the problem
1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
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That only works if you have a computer that is backing up to Time Machine or has been restored from the Time Machine backup. This may solve some other user's problems but it has not solved the problem on my wife's Mac. -
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