#Time machine folder backup how to#
#Time machine folder backup software#

* Optional but recommended, toggle the switch for “Show Time Machine in menu bar”.The “Time Machine” toggle should now be set to ON and you’ll see some backup data like the size of the backup, how much space is available on the target Time Machine volume, oldest backup, latest backup (both of which will be none on a fresh drive), and the next backup countdown – when the two minute countdown hits zero the first Time Machine backup will begin, let it start and finish.Choose the connected external hard drive that you plan on assigning to Time Machine, then click on “Use Disk” (Optional: check “Encrypt Backups” for FileVault users and greater security).Click on the “Select Backup Disk…” button.Go to the  Apple menu and go to “System Preferences”, then choose “Time Machine”.Connect the external hard drive that you’ll be using as a Time Machine volume to the Mac if you have not done so already.

#Time machine folder backup how to#

Once you have met the requisites for using Time Machine, setup is a breeze: How to Set Up Time Machine Automatic Mac Backups in Mac OS X Note you can also partition a single drive for dual use as Time Machine and file storage, though in this article we’re going to assume you’re using a single hard drive entirely for Time Machine backups.

#Time machine folder backup software#

For example, if you have a 512GB internal drive, a 5TB external drive for Time Machine would allow for many complete backups of that Mac drive from different time points, which is when Time Machine backups work best (this allows you to roll back the entire Mac to different points in time, hence the name of the software feature). You’ll want to be sure the external hard drive in use for Time Machine backups is at least the same size as the internal hard drive on the Mac, but preferably much larger. Ample time for Time Machine to run it’s first backup of the entire Mac.

A few minutes for initial Time Machine setup.Format the drive to be Mac compatible with Disk Utility, give it an obvious name like ‘Time Machine backups’.A large External Hard Drive (this one is 5TB) which will be dedicated to Time Machine and connected to the Mac.Any Mac with any vaguely modern version of MacOS or Mac OS X (Sierra, High Sierra, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Snow Leopard etc).Since many users don’t, we’ll walk through how to setup Time Machine so that it will make regular backups of a Mac. Because backing up is an essential part of general Mac system maintenance, you should always have a backup solution active.