I can’t select my Time Machine drive in the list under ‘options, it’s grey out, how do I fix this please?
i want to deselect it as my Time Machine drive then in disc utility I want to wipe it clean and reuse it for my ‘photos’ app, my photos app is now so big it takes up my whole iMac drive. Thanks for help
iMac 27″, macOS 11.7
These actions will not alter that backup disk's history in any way. It just stops Time Machine from backing up to it. You are then free to repurpose that disk for general file storage.
These actions will not alter that backup disk's history in any way. It just stops Time Machine from backing up to it. You are then free to repurpose that disk for general file storage.
I don't remember deselecting this disc....but it looks like I already have
It looks like you did. All you need to do now is erase it using Disk Utility: Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac – Apple Support
Glad to help Denise. These things are complicated.
By the way D.I. Johnson answered your question here but that screenshot is for a later macOS version. The instructions are essentially identical but Big Sur's Preferences will look different.
Thanks John, when I go to 'options' in the TM preferences window it takes me to the window 'exclude these items from backups' - my back up disc is listed but I am unable to select it to take it off with the - button on the lefthand bottom of that window. I need to know how I can fix this greyed out problem please. thanks for help.
[Edited by Moderator]
so I physically detach the disc by the lead and this is what I see now.
I attach the disc and this is what I see now
So I presume this is why I'm not seeing' stop using this disc' option.
I did try to clean the disc in disc utility but it wouldn't clean properly, this is why I read up on it and see I have to deselect the disc first before wiping it in didc utility. I don't remember deselecting this disc....but it looks like I already have, yet I have 2 backups on this disc that I'd like to get off so I can use this disc for my 'photos' app, my mac's disc is full of my photos and videos.
[Edited by Moderator]
denise CLARK wrote:
Thanks John, when I go to 'options' in the TM preferences window
From the screenshot you posted, click Cancel. Don't go to "Options".
The Options screen is obscuring where you need to start.
Follow my numbered instructions. If they don't make any sense, click Cancel and post a screenshot of what you see.
(pic lifted from your other Discussion)
This is what you need to click:
Click that and pick up my instructions from Step 4.
Hi John, yes thank you, I bet you get loads of idiots like me here!
I have erased the disc using disc utility and copied my photos library onto it, made it my designated 'Use as system photo library' seems to be working ok. I'll make sure it's ok for a while before deleting the library on my Mac and gain 1TB space!!!
Thanks again for your help John.
Best wishes, Denise.
I can’t select my Time Machine drive in the list under ‘options, it’s grey out, how do I fix this please?
