Apple Time Machine backups are only accessible via Apple Time Machine by selecting the option “Enter Time Machine” using a Mac computer. It is a system-recovery, emergency, “crash-plan” backup that is not designed to be normally accessible in order to prevent data corruption.
If you would like for files copied from a Mac computer to be accessible, then the files must be copied manually or by means of a dedicated backup/sync app other than Time Machine that does not encrypt the files.
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You can see the backup by initiating the restore process. You do not need to complete it.
Yes.
3 & 4) This is up to you and your personal needs. However, I do not believe Time Machine allows you to select what you want to copy since it creates system “snapshots” mirroring the entire computer (Including system files and applications) at the time of creation. Other backup utilities may allow you to select specific files and/or folders though.