Final answer:
Time Machine's file structure for local backups on macOS includes system files, user data, applications, and preferences. These backups allow for a comprehensive restoration of the system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The file structure used by Time Machine on macOS to store local backups includes several important items. These items typically consist of:
- System files: These are crucial files that the operating system needs to function properly, including the core system files, library files, and system preferences.
- User data: This includes all the personal files associated with user accounts on the Mac, such as documents, photos, music, and videos.
- Applications: Installed applications on the Mac are backed up so that they can be fully restored in the event of data loss or when setting up a new machine.
- Preferences: This covers both system preferences and application settings, which are essential for preserving the customized experience of the user.
Overall, Time Machine creates a comprehensive snapshot of your Mac at a particular point in time, ensuring that in case of hardware failure or data corruption, you can restore your system to a previous state seamlessly.