

If you back up files from that volume using file-based archiving software, hard links are copied each time they appear. It’s clever, but it only works within a single volume. These hard links can appear multiple times in a volume, but all refer to a single file. That omits making a fresh copy of any file that remains the same between those bakcups.

The primary issue is that Time Machine uses a special kind of alias, called a hard link, to create complete snapshots for each point in time that a backup operation happens.

Learn more about transferring files and backup.The issue with Time Machine and onlne backup Drag the folder or files to the folder where they were before the loss, or wherever you like.Wait for the download to complete, then open your Downloads folder (click the Finder, click the Go menu and choose Downloads).Click Download across from the item you need.If the items you need are not yet available, wait a few minutes. After you select all the items you need, click Continue with Restore on the right.A – means only certain items inside will be restored. A checkmark means the entire contents of the folder will be restored.Check the boxes next to entire folders to restore (left column) or just the files you need (right column).Type in the search box or navigate through the folders on the drive until you find what you need.Choose a machine on the left side and a date/time when the desired version of the files/folders were still on the drive.Choose an option – usually download a zip file for free.

