Continuing to use Time Machine after re-installing OS X

Question

Level 1

14 points

Continuing to use Time Machine after re-installing OS X

Hi,

So I just formatted my hard drive and re-installed El Capitan. I didn't restore from my time machine back up because I wanted a super clean refresh. I backed up my own files and put them back on my hard drive when i was done.

Ok, so now everything is all fresh and running all super snappy. Great.

Question - if I turn Time Machine back on will it simply continue to back up? Or will it be confused about how theres apparently a new computer there now?

Or will it simply back up the new stuff but keep the old stuff on there? Which would be a total waste of space...

Or do I have to format the Time Machine drive too and start backing up all over again?

Please let me know if you have any ideas on this. Thank you!

Andy

Message was edited by: andyg74 Edited for clarity

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), null

Posted on Sep 11, 2016 3:21 PM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

156,314 points

Sep 11, 2016 5:30 PM in response to andyg74

The answer is that Time Machine will create a new backup.

The existing backups can be "inherited" if you so desire, and TM will pick up where it left off. Older backups will be erased only when TM requires additional space for newer backups. To do that please read OS X El Capitan: If you want a new Mac to “inherit” your backup history.

It sounds as though that's not what you want though, since you already restored the files you want to keep, and no longer have any need for the previous backup. Under those circumstances, erase the backup drive and start a new set of backups. If you choose to not "inherit" the existing backups, they will remain on the backup volume forever.

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Answer 2

andyg74 Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 11, 2016 5:31 PM in response to John Galt

Ok, good to know. Thanks for the link and thanks for your response.

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