steviefisho
Level 1 (12 points)
Mac OS X

Q: How to force a full backup in Time Machine?

How do I force a new complete backup in time machine? My iMac has had Time Machine installed and used for 2+ years. It has 2+ years of incremental saves but I am about to upgrade from OS X 10.8.5 to OS X 10.11.5 and instructions say to back up prior to installing.

Do I need to force a new complete backup?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on May 29, 2016 6:29 PM

by Eric Root,Solvedanswer
Eric Root Eric Root
Level 9 (69,630 points)
iTunes
A:
Do I need to force a new complete backup?

 

No. Time Machine will resort your existing files without needing to do a full backup. Just make sure you backup, preferably 2 backups on 2 separate drives.

Posted on May 30, 2016 8:11 AM

Close
steviefisho

Q: How to force a full backup in Time Machine?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by theratter,

    theratter theratter May 29, 2016 6:45 PM in response to steviefisho
    Level 4 (3,907 points)
    Desktops
    May 29, 2016 6:45 PM in response to steviefisho

    Completely erase your backup drive using Disk Utility (for a Time Capsule use Airport Utility.) Time Machine will start a new backup automatically.

  • by theratter,Helpful

    theratter theratter May 30, 2016 7:03 PM in response to steviefisho
    Level 4 (3,907 points)
    Desktops
    May 30, 2016 7:03 PM in response to steviefisho

    If I were you I would clone your current startup volume to a new external backup drive.

     

    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the Command and R keys until the menu screen appears.

     

         1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu then press the Continue

             button.

         2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.

         3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.

         4. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it

             to the Destination entry field.

         5. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to

             the Source entry field.

         6. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.

     

    Destination means the external backup drive. Source means the internal startup drive.


    [Permission to use part or all of the above has been granted by Kappy, exclusively, to theratter.]

     

    Also, see Basic Steps for Upgrading OS X.

  • by Eric Root,Solvedanswer

    Eric Root Eric Root May 30, 2016 8:11 AM in response to steviefisho
    Level 9 (69,630 points)
    iTunes
    May 30, 2016 8:11 AM in response to steviefisho
    Do I need to force a new complete backup?

     

    No. Time Machine will resort your existing files without needing to do a full backup. Just make sure you backup, preferably 2 backups on 2 separate drives.