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Time Machine Backup Larger Than Hard Drive

I'm trying to run a time machine backup. According to time machine the backup is OVER 1tb but my hard drive is only 1tb. Also, only about 650gb are in use. It's taking 8-10 hours to complete backup.


See screen shot of comparison of hard drive use and time machine preference windows.



Why is this happening? How do I stop it from happening?


Thank you!

Posted on Mar 25, 2022 11:56 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 25, 2022 3:32 PM

If this is your first backup then I'm at a lose as to what it's doing. It should only backup what is on your main volume. And even then only what you want it to backup. You may need to erase time machine and start over.Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

Back up your files with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support

https://www.macworld.com/article/234354/what-to-do-when-a-time-machine-copy-to-an-external-drive-is-enormously-larger-than-expected.html

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 25, 2022 3:32 PM in response to Catalpha Advertising

If this is your first backup then I'm at a lose as to what it's doing. It should only backup what is on your main volume. And even then only what you want it to backup. You may need to erase time machine and start over.Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

Back up your files with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support

https://www.macworld.com/article/234354/what-to-do-when-a-time-machine-copy-to-an-external-drive-is-enormously-larger-than-expected.html

Time Machine Backup Larger Than Hard Drive

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