How do I search in Time Machine backups?

[saberahul]

Needed to search for files in backups and thought that a spotlight search would do it; however, this does not seem to be the case. Google'd it and an article on Mac101 said that I can do a search in Finder, open up Time Machine, and click the up arrow to find the file.

This works but is there a direct way to search from Spotlight or Finder search without having to open up Time Machine?

Thanks.

 

[benwiggy]

The best way is to use the Time Machine Application for browsing versions of files and the TM backup generally. Don't use the Finder to browse the archive.

Is that what you've been doing? What functionality are you looking for? What are you trying to achieve?