Does Time Machine track file movements?

If I have a file on my desktop, have Time Machine back up the desktop, and then move the file to my "Documents" folder and back up again, does Time Machine back up two copies of the file in each respective location or does it know that the file was moved (without being changed) and only keep one copy on the backup drive and just make a new hard link to the file in the new location (in this case the "Documents" folder)?

if you move a file to another location, TM will think that it's a new file provided that it sees the moved file during a regular backup.
If you move a file around BETWEEN backups, it will NOT find the intermediate locations.
- gws

Similar Messages

  • HT201250 Does Time Machine delete files in back-ups that are deleted on my Mac?

    Does Time Machine delete files in back-ups that are deleted on my Mac?  IOW....if I need to restore a whole back-up, I don't want to restore previously deleted files.

    Does Time Machine delete files in back-ups that are deleted on my Mac?
    Not immediately. When space starts to get tight, Time Machine will start to delete the oldest file(s) to make more room, but this won't occur for some time.
    if I need to restore a whole back-up, I don't want to restore previously deleted files.
    You won't if you choose to restore from a backup that occurred after the date that you deleted the file.
    If you absolutely do not want to keep the file in your Time Machine backups at all, you do have the option to go into Time Machine, find the file, and manually delete all versions of the file from past dates.

  • How does Time Machine track changes?

    My Leopard upgrade got stuck with a minute to go - I had to hold down the power button to restart my Mac, but to my surprise Leopard launched and everything seemed to work fine. I set up Time Machine and it's been running without problems, backing up to my 2nd internal drive. The only problem I noticed was that a few hidden files weren't hidden - presumably it hadn't finished cleaning up after itself. So, I carried on using Leopard until today when I finally decided it might be a good idea to run the installer again. The installation completed fine, and everything is running nicely.
    My question is: will time machine track any changes that have been made from re-running the installer, or does it only track changes that are made while Leopard is running? Should I switch off Time Machine, delete the backups, and start again, or will it handle these changes?

    When I log back into 10.8 Mountain Lion and Time Machine does it's normal back up thing, does it recognize changes that were made to internal disks, folders, and files that were made when I was previously booted into 10.7 Lion?
    Yes.

  • Does Time Machine track changes to disks made by other operating systems?

    I run 10.8 Mountain Lion on my main partition but also occassionally boot to a copy of 10.7 Lion on a separate partition in order to run a version of Quickbooks for Mac that isn't supported in 10.8.  Time machine is only turned on in 10.8 and backs up all internal disks and partitions when I'm logged into that operating system.  My question is does time machine in 10.8 notice changes made to any of the internal disks made by me while I was booted into 10.7 Lion?
    Occassionally I reboot into 10.7 Lion to run Quickbooks for Mac 2011, do work, make changes to files, ect.  When I log back into 10.8 Mountain Lion and Time Machine does it's normal back up thing, does it recognize changes that were made to internal disks, folders, and files that were made when I was previously booted into 10.7 Lion?  Or does Time Machine in 10.8 Mountain Lion only recognize changes that are made when it's running?
    Thanks Peeps!
    ben

    When I log back into 10.8 Mountain Lion and Time Machine does it's normal back up thing, does it recognize changes that were made to internal disks, folders, and files that were made when I was previously booted into 10.7 Lion?
    Yes.

  • Does Time Machine overwrite files stored as network storage

    I am planning to use my new 1 TB Time Capsule as a NAS as well as a location for my Time Machine backups. Will the files (like movies) that I store on the Time Capsule be overwritten when Time Machine runs out of room for backups? I read that it was true on another site, but it seemed too rediculous to be true! I want my documents secure! A back up program that deletes needed files is counterproductive. Also, when I save an archive of the HDD to another HDD for off site storage, would it transfer everything that was on the drive? Thanks for the help!

    Hello Iceman692. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
    Will the files (like movies) that I store on the Time Capsule be overwritten when Time Machine runs out of room for backups?
    No. Time Machine will not overwrite existing files stored on the Time Capsule. There will just be less space available for backups.
    Also, when I save an archive of the HDD to another HDD for off site storage, would it transfer everything that was on the drive?
    If you are referring to the Time Capsule's archive feature, then yes it would transfer everything on the Time Capsule's hard drive to a USB hard drive.
    The archive goes into a dedicated folder on the USB drive and doesn't affect anything else on the drive. Subsequent archives don't delete the earlier ones; a new folder is created with a version number appended.
    (ref: Time Capsule: Using AirPort Utility 5.3.1 or later to make a copy of the Time Capsule disk)

  • Does time machine delete files that you delete on hard drive

    On my mac HD I have files "A", "B" and "C". Time machine has backed them all up. Later, I decide I don't want "B" on my mac HD anymore. Does this data get deleted on time machine as well? If not, is there an easy automated option to do this?

    Jason,
    While it is not automatic, you can still remove said file from the backup quite easily (there is consideration for doing so). Open Time Machine, navigate back to a point where the unwanted file exists, select it, then choose "Delete from all backups" in the "Action" menu (looks like a gear).
    Scott

  • Why Does Time Machine Corrupt Files It Restores?

    Time Machine does not restore MS Word files and documents correctly. In the case of a play I am writing, the formatting is completely off and there are unusual symbols appearing which are not in the original document. In trying to restore FileMaker files and documents, I found that I cannot even open the document. A window displaying the title appears and that is all. This renders Time Machine useless.

    The reason is that it has corrupted itself.
    See http://pondini.org/TM/C13.html
    TM over wireless and with Yosemite.. is corruption in a box.
    I did not need to do this with the previous Time Capsule.
    I think it is more the OS at issue than the TC.. but certainly poor setup of the TC matters.. you have to have very good wireless connection single hop.. no double repeater stuff. Anytime TM stops or fails half way through a backup it is likely to corrupt itself.

  • Does Time Machine backup files in the trash?

    I have lots of files in the trash that I'm keeping there temporarily while confirming that these files were transferred to other drives. Are these files in the trash backed up by Time Machine?
    Thanks.

    No, and you should never put anything in the Trash unless you intend to delete it immediately. It's not a safe place to store files.

  • Where does time machine store content that would be found in the Finder window under "All Images, All Movies, All Documents"? Also, I have many Garageband projects and mp3 files I can't find.

    Where does time machine store content that would be found in the Finder window under "All Images, All Movies, All Documents"? Also, I have many Garageband projects and mp3 files I can't find.

    Easiest way to find time machine files is to open up the folder or application(works for email and iphoto)  they were in - then click on time machine ICON or enter time machine from the time machine menu to go back through the files.

  • Does Time Machine really restore all files of app?

    Hi mac people,
    I have done a clean install, then i don't want use migration assistant to move back things, but when i move back garageband 6.0.5, i open it, then i realise that only app is been restore but all the loops and audio is not, then i search online found that i have to move those things by my own,
    So this problem make me wondering does time machine really fully restore?
    I also wondering how about other apps or files do they really all been restore even they SEEN like no problems?
    Thanks for helping !!!!!

    then i realise that only app is been restore but all the loops and audio is not, then i search online found that i have to move those things by my own,
    If you want everything restored from Time Machine, don't use Migration Assistant but use Setup Assistant - migrate al files when you are first prompted to restore from Time Machine or another Mac, after a clean install.
    you can select what to restore - the settings, the libraries, the user data.
    Since you do not want to use the assistants - to restore Garageband 6.0.5 manually, you transfer all files and folders in the system library:
    /Library/Application Support/GarageBand/
    and the loops from
    /Library/Audio/Apple Loops/
    Your plug-ins from
    /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/
    and the corresponding folders in your user library ~/Library/

  • How does Time Machine handle large files?

    I'm relatively new at the whole Time Capsule / Time Machine process and have learned that large files (eg aperture library) are backed up each time there is a change and this can lead to the TC filling up quicker than normal.
    How does this work with daily and weekly backups?
    For example, if my aperture library is, say 1Gb and I import a load of photos from my camera and this goes up to 2Gb. I've learned that I should disable time machine while I'm in Aperture (or at least before 10.6...not sure now). So given I've done that, imported the files to Aperture but want to edit them later and ultimately move them into iPhoto to keep the Aperture album small.
    When I turn back on Time Machine, the next hourly backup will know the library has changed and will back it up, this will go on until a day backup has been taken - this deletes the 24 hourly backups? or does it merge them?
    If I then do the editing the following week, then export the photos and the library is now back to 1Gb again....backed up hourly/daily/weekly etc what am I left with??
    Do I have an original, the 2GB version and the new 1Gb version...ie 4Gb......is there a cunning way I can work to change the files within a week so only one of the changes is in the backup?

    Orpheus999 wrote:
    When I turn back on Time Machine, the next hourly backup will know the library has changed and will back it up, this will go on until a day backup has been taken - this deletes the 24 hourly backups? or does it merge them?
    The Time Machine panel of System Preferences says this:
    Time Machine keeps
    - Hourly backup for the past 24 hours
    - Daily backups for the past month
    - Weekly backups until your backup disk is full
    Each time Time Machine runs it creates what appears to be an entirely new backup set, although it does this in a way that doesn't require it to copy files that have already been copied. So merging isn't necessary. Another effect of how it operates is that each unique version of a file (as opposed to packages of files) only exists on the backup volume once.
    According to the contents of my Time Machine backup file, hourly backups are literally kept for 24 hours, not until the next "daily" backup. For a "daily" backup, it seems to keep the oldest "hourly" backup for a day.
    If I then do the editing the following week, then export the photos and the library is now back to 1Gb again....backed up hourly/daily/weekly etc what am I left with??
    Do I have an original, the 2GB version and the new 1Gb version...ie 4Gb......is there a cunning way I can work to change the files within a week so only one of the changes is in the backup?
    You might be able to exclude those files from being backed up at certain times, but I can't be sure this would result in older copied of those files being retained.

  • If i move itune to external drive does time machine still have backup?

    if i move itune to external drive does time machine still have backup?
    I just moved my itunes off my macbook pro because it was taking up too much space and put it on an external hard drive. i have a second external hard drive that i use for time machine. when i update time machine next will my itunes files be removed from the backup since they are no longer on my internal hard drive (what time machine backs up?) basically, i want to make sure i have a second copy of my itunes besides the one on my first external hard drive and i was wondering if time machine will still have all of that data (on the second external hard drive).
    i cant find this answer anywhere!!! thanks so much!!!

    Check to see whether or not it's excluded in the Time Machine pane of System Preferences.
    Items deleted from the hard drive won't be deleted from the backup until the backup location runs out of space.
    (63157)

  • My mac 10.8 does no have the file, com.apple.desktop. plist   I wentto lIbrary, preference and look  for it and it is not where in my mac.  I also launch time machine and file is no where on my Mac.  How do I get this file back?

    My mac 10.8 does no have the file, com.apple.desktop. plist   I wentto lIbrary, preference and look  for it and it is not where in my mac.  I also launch time machine and file is no where on my Mac.  How do I get this file back?
    thanks

    System files are hidden by default in Finder now, search for what you want then click the little + button on the top right of the bar that appears when you do a search. A new bar comes up and click the first box (that says "Kind"), change it to "System Files". Then change the box that says "aren't included" to "are included" and your file should show up.
    http://osxdaily.com/2009/02/25/show-hidden-files-in-os-x/

  • Does Time Machine Compare/Verify Files?

    I have typically performed manual backups, and have no experience with Time Machine.
    Does Time Machine COMPARE / VERIFY that the backup files match the originals?
    I used to use Retrospect for Archive/Backup, which logged an alert if there was any mis-match in the backup process. Now I tend to backup files simply using Drag/Drop copying to redundant external storage devices. I have recently encountered errors in this process when backing up larger amounts of data. Hopefully this will not occur using TIme Machine. 
    What does Time Machine do if there is an error in the backup process?
    Is Time Machine the most reliable solution for Archive/Backup?
    thanks

    Time Machine logs to the system.log as process com.apple.backupd, which you can access via Appplications -> Utilities -> Console
    Carbon Copy Cloner logs to a CCC.log which you can access from within CCC, or via Applications -> Utilities -> Console.
    CCC will popup and error if there is backup problem.
    SuperDuper has its own built-in log, that you access via SuperDuper.
    SuperDuper will popup an error if there is a backup problem.
    CrashPlan has a /Library/Logs/CrashPlan/ directory with backup logs.
    CrashPlan can send you an email if there is a backup problem. Even better, it will tell you if a backup has not completed within the last 3 days.  I find that very nice in that automatic backups that stop and you haven't noticed it, is more annoying than not having a backup verification.
    I also remember Retrospect.  And the verify taking longer than the backup is a good excuse to just make another backup using a different utility and media destination.

  • Does Time Machine use a differential/delta file compression when copying files ?

    Hello,
    I would like to use Time Machine to backup to a MacBook Air but that computer is using a Virtual Machines store in a single file of 50 GBytes.
    Once the initial backup will be done, does Time Machine will only copy the changes in this large file or will everyday copy the full 50 Bytes?
    In other word does Time Machine use a differential/dela file compression algorithm (like un rsync)?
    If it is not yet the case, can you please file for me an application request to the development team internally?
    If others are also interested in such a feature, you’re welcome to vote for it.
    Kind regards,
    Olivier

    Ok, it looks like the current version of Time Machine cannot handle efficiently in network terms large files like Virtual Machine files and this a real issue today.
    Is anybody here able to file an official feature request to Apple to be able to use Time Machine efficiently also with large files (let's stay > 5 GBytes) ?
    I should propably mean using a differential compression algorythm over the network like the examples below:
    http://rsync.samba.org/tech_report/tech_report.html
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_Differential_Compression

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