Deleting TIme Machine backups from another machine

Question

Level 1

29 points

Deleting TIme Machine backups from another machine

Hi;

I have a time machine backup disk on an external drive. There are two backup folders for mac that I no longer have. Therefore I cannot open this time machine backup. While attempting to delete them, I get the message:

The operation can’t be completed because some items had to be skipped. For each item, choose File > Get Info, make sure “Locked” is deselected, and then check the Sharing & Permissions section. When you are sure the items are unlocked and not designated as Read Only or No Access, try again.

I once had a terminal workaround, can't find it. It worked for both external drive backups and time capsule ones.

Any help here?

MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

Posted on Mar 17, 2023 3:43 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

anoryani Author

Level 1

29 points

Mar 18, 2023 1:06 PM in response to Bob Timmons

found it, for reference:

1 Open Time Machine Disk.

2 Locate and open the folder Backups.backupdb.

3 Select the backup you want to delete.

4 Open Teminal and type sudo rm -rvf (space at the end)

5 Drag and drop the old folders you want to delete in the Terminal Window

6 Enter you user password at the prompt.

that's it

Reply

Answer 2

anoryani Author

Level 1

29 points

Mar 17, 2023 11:57 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thank you for your reply, it does not, however, help in a tiny bit.

Although I did find the Terminal solution a year ago or so (I can use google) I did not find any currently. I DO NOT WANT to erase the whole volume, just TO DELETE THE TWO BACKUP ARCHIVES that were created with another mac. Solutions that are based on entering time machine are useless then.

There was an instruction on how to delete such archive using terminal, as it was impossible using other methods. This is exactly what I am experiencing now. It should be even easier as this is an external drive, it's even harder with time capsule...

Reply

Answer 3

Mar 18, 2023 7:21 AM in response to anoryani

Not likely that many Terminal gurus will be on this support site. Since Time Machine is part of the Mac operating system, you might have better luck posting in the support area for the operating system that your Mac is using. Good luck.

Mac OS & System Software

Reply

Answer 4

Mar 17, 2023 4:13 PM in response to anoryani

Can't help on Terminal, so you may need to wait for another user to answer on that. There are plenty of instructions available though, with a simple Google search.

I'm not clear on whether you are trying to erase the two backup folders on the hard drive, or whether you are simply trying to completely erase the hard drive.

If you can simply erase the entire hard drive using Disk Utility, that would be the easiest thing to do. Otherwise, you will have to follow the instructions that you have received if Terminal won't work.

Reply

Quick Links

Deleting TIme Machine backups from another machine

Similar questions