I am using a MacBook Pro w/OS X 10.7. I recently started using Time Machine and placed it on an externalHD. My internal HD, however, has filled up (about 50%) with local snap shots. Now I can no longer du required updates as I am being told I do not have the room with out deleting or moving files. I need to get rid of these locals to regain my internal HD. Are there any answeres out there?
Open the Terminal in the Utilities folder and enter the appropriate command line. Press RETURN and enter your admin password when prompted. It will not be echoed.
To turn them ON: sudo tmutil enablelocal
To turn them OFF: sudo tmutil disablelocal
Note that turning them OFF will also delete all existing snapshots.
As Kappy says, tmutil will turn them off permanently (no more will be made), and delete them (that may take a while).
Just turning Time Machine OFF may be a better option; that will delete all the existing ones, to get your space back. When you turn it ON again, it will begin making them again, so you'll have them if needed.
See #30 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions for details.
Snap Shot removal
