Removing large files from Time Machine?

I love the way Time Machine works. And I'm smart enough to have excluded certain folders, like Music and others.

But I foolishly forgot to exclude my virtual machines.

That's 3GB+ that's now been backed up, and Time Machine sees the disk image as one files, so minor changes have also been stored (at a cost of 3GB!).

I only found out when I ran out of space and I ran GrandPerspective~~Central~~ and found four big stinkers in there.

I've excluded those folders now... so... I guess... with subsequent updates these big files will come out in the wash. But I'd really like to free up the space (just in case).

Is it possible to delete the files? Time Machine says 'no'.

Do any super users know any different?

Michael Rose

Posted 2009-08-19T14:20:31.533

Reputation: 98

What do you mean with Time Machine says 'no'? – Arjan – 2009-08-19T15:23:42.687

good question, Finder was saying 'cannot delete a backup file'. Time Machine wasn't saying no as I'd not realized the Gears at the top of the window gave me delete options. It IS rather hidden. – Michael Rose – 2009-08-20T08:31:49.987

Maybe hidden, but documented ;-) http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427

– Arjan – 2009-08-20T10:27:58.830

Answers

To delete files from a Time Machine backup:

Open Time Machine when you have the Finder window displaying those files
Select the items you wish to remove the backup(s) (you can select multiples using shift to select a section or command to select just one at a time)
On the action button (what looks like a gear) in the toolbar choose Remove From All Backups... or just Remove from Backup if you only wish to remove the one instance of the file.
You will be prompted for your administrator password and then you're done.

Chealion

Posted 2009-08-19T14:20:31.533

Reputation: 22 932

Thank you. I didn't see the Action Button. I tried right-click and expected that to give me some actions and I didn't really notice the Gear. Not massively obvious. Thanks Chearlion. Hope this answer helps others. – Michael Rose – 2009-08-20T08:35:06.967

From Apple: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427

You can also enter Time Machine and find files that can be removed from the backup disk itself to conserve space. To do this, select the file(s) and from the Action pop-up menu (gear icon) in the Time Machine Finder window choose "Delete All Backups of...". Be sure to only delete files you are sure you won't need or want to restore later.

– Michael Rose – 2009-08-21T10:21:31.970

If you're using sparse bundles (like when backing up over a network) then you actually may want to reclaim the space you freed, as Time Machine will not do that until it discovers it's running out of space and then finds that deleting the oldest backups has no effect. See What is Time Machine doing? on Server Fault.

Arjan

Posted 2009-08-19T14:20:31.533

Reputation: 29 084