os Ventura - need to delete old Time Machine backups

SASanders wrote:

I have an external drive, one of those small Passport drives. I've had it several years and have many backups from older computers.

My drive is getting full and now new backups fail because there isn't enough room.

I've tried using TimeMachine to delete a folder/backup but there is no option to do so once I select a date.

I've tried manually deleting a folder in the Finder, but it won't let me because it's protected. Even if I unlock it, it won't delete.

How can I free up space on my external disk by removing some of these old backups?

Your best bet is to start over with that drive—

Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac

Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

If you value your user data

3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.

More than one device, more than one backup methodology.

Formatting the drive will delete all contents after which you can create a new Time Machine drive and backup your internal drive if the external has enough memory. If the drive does not have enough memory to back up the internal drive, a new drive with more data capacity will be necessary.

perhaps I am parsing your words but " Does that mean there's no ability to delete old backups from computers I used a few years ago"

This implies the Snap Shots are on the computer and not on the External TM Backup Drive.

Snap Shots on the Internal Drive can be removed but the Snap Sot made by TM Backup on external Drive can not be deleted.

This is especially when the External Drive is using the APFS / GUID drive format.

Either get a New Drive and start from scratch with a New Regime.

Put aside the existing Drive for safe Keeping - incase

You are wanting to list out files on your TimeMachine external drive and delete some...I think. I attempted that but any file listed on my external drive formatted for TimeMachine would not offer Move To Trash.

This may do it: TimeMachine > Open Time Machine Setting > Options > + > select files for Do Not Back Up > Back Up Now. It says old back up will be deleted so may this action will free up space on your external drive by selecting the old files from other computers in the path above. After a back up view the drive for information to determine if it has more data space available. I cannot test this path out since I do not have any files to select for Do Not Back Up.

I did not see your data capacity need for backup. I am using a USB C flash drive that was inexpensive and works fast.

Just thought of another solution. Format the drive for TimeMachine. Back up your computer to it with TimeMachine with only the files you want to back up.

I think you are actually meaning your reply to @ SASanders the " Author" of this question.

Format the drive. Set it up for TimeMachine again for the files you want to back up. The old computer files will be gone.