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Can't add or subtract disks for Time Machine backups

I saw the previous comments about hovering over the disks to add or subtract them, but when I hover over the disks, nothing happens. Nothing. I've got old disks on here that I haven't used forever and can't see my current ones to do fresh backups. And there's no way to enlarge the window. Suggestions?


MicheleMontgomery’s MacBook Pro 15", MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Nov 16, 2022 3:14 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 16, 2022 4:20 PM

At least now I know you're not doing anything wrong.


I have not had a need to do this for a very long time, but try the following.


Close the recalcitrant Time Machine Preferences window.


Copy the entire line below (triple-click to select the entire line) and Paste it into the Finder's Go menu > Go To Folder… field:


/Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine.plist


Make the Finder's Go to the folder dialog look exactly like this



... and click the Go button.


A Finder window will open with that file selected. Drag that file onto the Desktop, or directly into the Trash. You will be asked for your Admin password to approve that action.


See if that fixes things. You may need to restart your Mac first.

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7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 16, 2022 4:20 PM in response to Mimont

At least now I know you're not doing anything wrong.


I have not had a need to do this for a very long time, but try the following.


Close the recalcitrant Time Machine Preferences window.


Copy the entire line below (triple-click to select the entire line) and Paste it into the Finder's Go menu > Go To Folder… field:


/Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine.plist


Make the Finder's Go to the folder dialog look exactly like this



... and click the Go button.


A Finder window will open with that file selected. Drag that file onto the Desktop, or directly into the Trash. You will be asked for your Admin password to approve that action.


See if that fixes things. You may need to restart your Mac first.

Nov 16, 2022 3:55 PM in response to John Galt

Yes, that SHOULD be the solution. But nothing happens when I do that. It's like a frozen screen, though the cursor is working fine. Not even the up and down buttons help. There's no functional way to scroll that list. I've never had this happen before on a mac when it wasn't just a temporary thing. This is permanent. My software is up to date. My scroll functions work fine elsewhere. I'm at a loss. Reboot doesn't help.

Can't add or subtract disks for Time Machine backups

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