.inprogress

Extension: Time Machine Backup Progress File

Developer: Apple

The ‘.inprogress’ file extension is directly tied to Time Machine, Apple’s built-in backup utility. You’ll encounter it during the backup process on your Mac. Essentially, it’s a temporary placeholder file indicating that Time Machine is actively backing up data at that moment. These files are crucial; deleting them prematurely can corrupt your backup and lead to data loss. Think of it as a “work in progress” sign for your backup – Time Machine needs it to keep track of what it’s doing and ensure the integrity of your backup. Don’t be tempted to move, rename, or delete these files until the backup process has fully concluded and the Time Machine icon in your menu bar shows that it’s finished. Ignoring this can result in incomplete or unusable backups, forcing you to restart the entire backup process.

You shouldn’t need to directly interact with these ‘.inprogress’ files. They’re handled automatically by Time Machine. Attempting to open one won’t reveal anything meaningful; you’ll likely encounter an error message. Instead, focus on monitoring the Time Machine backup process through the System Preferences or the menu bar icon. If you’re curious about the backup’s progress, check these locations for updates. Remember, patience is key; let Time Machine complete its task without interference. Once the backup is finished, the ‘.inprogress’ file will be automatically processed or removed by the system. Interfering with this process can lead to significant problems, so leave these files alone.