Time Machine information ...

Robert Lesperance wrote:

I want to activate Time Machine an a Time Capsule 4th generation.

I only want to backup my personal data folders (±18GB). I selected the user0 level folder, my guest user and all other folders in my user level that I don't want to backup. I should have been left with only my personal data folders of 18GB but Time Capsule confirmes that my backup will be of 535GB.

What am I missing ?

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/b9ae8a8c-e663-48fb-8591-de058292e7a7

>System Prefences>Time Machine >Options> Exclude

Exclude files from a Time Machine backup on Mac - Apple ...

This appears to me to be just as I would do it; by excluding all but the folder I wish to backup. I can't tell you why TM still estimates over 500GB would be backed up. I would suggest that you allow the backup to process and see what actually gets backed up. It may be the estimation is not accurate.

If this problem continues to be unresolved, I suggest there is another option that might work better. CarbonCopyCloner is software that does backups on Mac. It can very easily be configured to backup just a few folders as you wish. The software has a 30-day trial with no limits. CarbonCopyCloner - bombich.com

In fact, TM predicted 535GB and only did ±11GB. So the settings were correct.

Thanks

You're welcome.

Glad to know you sorted this out. 👍🏽