Does Time Machine need exclusive use of disk

I just ordered a 3TB USB drive for backups and external storage. I plan on using Time Machine for backups. Does it need exclusive use of the disk (i.e. should I partition it if I wast to use some of the space for external storage outside of Time Machine)?

Thanks of any help,
-Mike

Nope, Time machine creates a backup folder, you are free to use the remainder of the disk for your own purposes

Great, Thanks for the reply...

louishen said:

Nope, Time machine creates a backup folder, you are free to use the remainder of the disk for your own purposes

Click to expand...

What happens when the TM folder fills the rest of the disk?

Time Machine continues creating updated backups until it fills the drive/partition that it is on. When that happens Time Machine starts by deleting the oldest backup. If you go to the Time Machine preferences and enter options you can set whether it warns you before deleting old backups.

mkcoffey said:

I just ordered a 3TB USB drive for backups and external storage. I plan on using Time Machine for backups. Does it need exclusive use of the disk (i.e. should I partition it if I wast to use some of the space for external storage outside of Time Machine)?

Thanks of any help,
-Mike

Click to expand...

I would partition your disk otherwise Time Machine will keep eating into your free space until it eventually fills your USB drive. If you partition then you can set exactly how much of your 3TB drive you want Time Machine to use. Once it has filled the partition it will then overwrite older backups like the others have said.