BACKING UP AND RESTORING FILES WITH TIME MACHINE
ITS recommends backing up all your documents, files, and settings on a regular basis. Time Machine is a backup utility for Mac OS X 10.5 and later. It is not available for Mac OS X 10.4 or earlier.
This document explains how to use Time Machine to back up and restore files.
Backing up files or directories
Restoring files or directories
Backing Up Files or Directories with Time Machine
- If you are backing up to an external hard drive, plug in and turn on your external hard drive.
- Select System Preferences from the Apple menu and select Time Machine from the System group.
- Slide the Time Machine switch to ON, then click Select Disk.
- Select the external hard drive you would like to use, then click Use for Backup.
- The Backup process should begin automatically. Time Machine saves hourly backups for the past 24 hours, daily backups for the past month, and weekly backups for everything older than a month.
Restoring Files or Directories with Time Machine
- Open Time Machine from the Applications folder.
- Use the time line feature on the right side of the screen to select the date and time you wish to restore from.
- Use the Finder to locate the file or directory you wish to restore. Select the file or directory, then click Restore in the lower right corner of the screen.
- Your file or directory will be restored automatically and you will be returned to your desktop.
Note that you can exit Time Machine at any time by clicking Cancel in the lower left of the screen.
