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Level 1

8 points

Applications folder

I can't open anything in my applications folder. I get a message that says 'you can’t open the application “X,Y or Z" because it is in a Time Machine backup'. But its not. I have tried the following:

*Rebooted the computer (its an iMac running High Sierra 10.13.6) *Used time machine to restore from 1 month ago. * Wiped the HD and reinstalled the OS. *I reset permissions for my home folder, used terminal to enter diskutil resetUserPermissions / `id -u`, rebooted, same problem.

I still get the same message. I wanted to run disk utility but I can't access it because it's in the applications folder. I've gone as far as I can with my limited knowledge. I NEED HELP!!! Any thoughts?

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Nov 30, 2019 9:39 AM

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Level 9

77,314 points

Posted on Nov 30, 2019 10:16 AM

Shut down,

Disconnect your Time Machine backup,

Disconnect all other unnecessary external drives and devices,

Startup the iMac and see if you can access Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.

Or optionally and in addition to the above > Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

If not or those above do not work?

Then you need to reinstall macOX on your internal drive,

as per the instructions at > How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support

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4 replies

Best reply

Level 9

77,314 points

Nov 30, 2019 10:16 AM in response to Stevo57

Shut down,

Disconnect your Time Machine backup,

Disconnect all other unnecessary external drives and devices,

Startup the iMac and see if you can access Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.

Or optionally and in addition to the above > Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

If not or those above do not work?

Then you need to reinstall macOX on your internal drive,

as per the instructions at > How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support

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Level 9

77,314 points

Nov 30, 2019 12:36 PM in response to Stevo57

Glad to hear that. You're welcome!

Personally I would let another Time Machine backup run to see if that straightens out the backups.

If it doesn't, I would erase the Time Machine drive using Disk Utility and start a new set of backups.

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Level 1

8 points

Nov 30, 2019 10:19 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks for the reply. I will try that now and report back.

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Level 1

8 points

Nov 30, 2019 12:06 PM in response to Stevo57

Reinstalling the OS without the backup drive connected work. Thanks for the guidance. I may have a corrupt or bad BU drive.

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Applications folder

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