Foibles with files and backups

Fix problems with storage and in Time Machine

Acommon problem to have with a file on your Mac is forgetting where you put it. You can use Spotlight ( ç+[ spacebar]) to locate it, or, in Finder, go to the drive the file should be on and type any part of the file’s name, or even text within the document, into the search box at the top right. In the options bar, start by searching only within the location you opened for focused results, and try This Mac if that doesn’t turn up the file.

If a file won’t open or doesn’t contain what you expected, check Time Machine for a recent backup. Not using Time Machine (or a similar tool)? Start now! A USB 3 hard drive costs under £100 for 4TB, and Time Machine makes it effortless to keep a rolling backup from which you can recover individual files – or even restore your whole system. See bit.ly/rstrmac.

If multiple files are corrupted or their apps can’t open them, your hard disk (or SSD) could be having trouble. Check by using Disk Utility, as below.