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Time Machine is not deleting older files and now my 1TB drive is full. Do I dare to delete older files?

Time Machine is not deleting the older files and now my 1TB external drive is full and won't back up. Do I dare to delete the older files on my own? Full folders from a year ago? or should I reformat and start over. I am not sure if some of the info backed up is lost if I do this.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 28, 2022 9:38 AM

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Posted on Jan 28, 2022 10:13 AM

If you delete files, do it from within TM, not the Finder.


Start with this...


Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at startup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode? Could take 10 minutes.


Safe mode attempts to repair Disks & clears lots of caches & loads safe Drivers, & prevents loading of 3rd party extensions, so if Safe Mode works try again in regular boot.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 28, 2022 10:13 AM in response to denboyer951

If you delete files, do it from within TM, not the Finder.


Start with this...


Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at startup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode? Could take 10 minutes.


Safe mode attempts to repair Disks & clears lots of caches & loads safe Drivers, & prevents loading of 3rd party extensions, so if Safe Mode works try again in regular boot.

Time Machine is not deleting older files and now my 1TB drive is full. Do I dare to delete older files?

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