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Partitioning External Drive

I want to backup Quicken files onto an external hard drive LaCie HDD 4TB that will also be used with Time Machine iMac Ventura. I think I need to partition the external HDD before I set up Time Machine. I will appreciate any help I can get. Thanks.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 13.6

Posted on Oct 21, 2024 8:26 AM

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Posted on Oct 21, 2024 8:40 AM

I recommend avoiding the use of your external drive for both Time Machine and Quicken. If the drive fails, you'll lose both backups. Instead, it's better to store your Quicken files on the internal drive, allowing Time Machine to back them up to the external drive.

5 replies

Oct 21, 2024 8:40 AM in response to Steve5623

No need to separately backup your Quicken files. Just allow Time Machine to backup all the user files on your Mac. If you keep those Quicken files on your startup drive they would be backed up by TM regularly.


Also, it's never a good idea to mix the use of a single drive with normal file storage and TM backups. When the drive fails, it will take all the data with it. Having multiple backup disks - minimum or two - is also highly recommended.


Apple's guidance for setting up and using a drive for Time Machine is here:

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

Backup disks you can use with Time Machine - Apple Support


Partitioning External Drive

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