Locked file obstructing Time Machine

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Level 1

13 points

Locked file obstructing Time Machine

Time Machine can't back up because of a single audio file that's been on my hard drive for two years, about as long as I've had Time Machine's external hard drive. But suddenly, they don't agree. I'm trying to trash the file in question, but it doesn't respond to being dragged to the trash. When I get info, the line that says it's locked is grayed out. Selecting "remove download" (since this file was originally downloaded) gets me a window that tells me it can't be removed because "Resources busy."

Any ideas on how to deal with this greatly appreciated. I don't care what happens to this file; I just want Time Machine back in action again. (Incidentally, my operating system is Sequoia 15.3.1—an option not offered below, under "select a topic" [?].)

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Feb 24, 2025 1:23 PM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

84,467 points

Feb 24, 2025 4:45 PM in response to jwritty

Boot the computer with the shift key on a built-in keyboard of the laptop, and login as an administrator user.

Make sure your System Settings has TIme Machine presently turned off.

Make sure any iCloud syncing is turned off.

Make sure OneDrive syncing is turned off.

Locate the file with Devon Technologies EasyFind or Mark Temple's Find Any File.

Click ONCE on the File in the Finder and select Get Info. The window will have an ownership and permissions which you can assign to yourself. If you want it on your Time Machine backup make it is in a folder set to backup with Time machine. Otherwise, put it in a folder not to be backed up by Time Machine, and delete it from any folder that would be backed up by Time Machine. Restart the computer. Turn back on Time Machine and you should be OK.

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Answer 2

jwritty Author

Level 1

13 points

Feb 27, 2025 9:47 PM in response to a brody

I tried to follow your instructions, but although I’d been able to find the dodgy file before, this time it completely eluded me. I wasn’t able to find either of the utilities you suggested, either. However, it seems that simply rebooting as an administrative user shocked the laptop into getting over itself; since doing that, Time Machine has been doing its job as it ought. So thanks again!

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Answer 3

jwritty Author

Level 1

13 points

Feb 24, 2025 9:03 PM in response to a brody

Thanks so much! I’ll follow your instructions and let you know what happens.

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Locked file obstructing Time Machine