Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

issueswithmymac

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 24, 2015
2
0
Hi,

I have been googling all night and can't find a way to delete or move some files. The varying types of files are in a time machine backup on an external drive that isn't used for time machine anymore so there's a bunch of other stuff on there too. When I attempt to move or delete a file I get the message:

The operation can’t be completed because backup items can’t be modified.

I've disabled SIP but that did nothing. Any ideas? Help much appreciated!
 

grahamperrin

macrumors 601
Jun 8, 2007
4,942
648
If you no longer require the backup set: delete it.

If you require the backup set and want to delete only part of it:
  1. enter Time Machine
  2. select the unwanted item
  3. use the appropriate menu, it probably has a cog icon.
You can not use Finder or Time Machine to move files to, from, or within a Time Machine backup.

SIP is unrelated.
 

issueswithmymac

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 24, 2015
2
0
Ok, thanks for the quick response,Gragham. One More question:

I am trying to use a vst synthesizer and the audio samples it uses are in the backup. The synth says the folder is not writable, but I have made sure it and all of its sub folders are r-w. Is the backup thing the issue? Is there seriously no way to move that sample library from the backup folder to a normal hard drive?

Edit: vst
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.