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Software Update for Macintosh

| Automated Update - OS X | Automated Update - OS 9 | Manual Update - OS X | Manual Update - OS 9 |

Periodically, Apple releases software updates for the Macintosh operating system. These updates are typically security updates, bug fixes, web browsers updates and improved drivers for Macintosh system software and related Apple hardware (iPod, Airport, etc). Keeping your system up to date is recommended and should be considered part of your regular computer maintenance schedule. Software Update is an application built into Macintosh OS 9 and greater. Software Update connects to the Internet and checks your system to see if there are updates from Apple that aren't installed. You may need to restart your computer at the end of an update session.  You should check for updates manually at least once a month or schedule Software Update to update automatically.

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Automated Software Update in Mac OS X

You can configure Software Update to automatically check for updates. This is recommended.

1. Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
2. Open Software Update.
3. Check the box next to Check for Updates and select either Daily, Weekly, or Monthly from the drop down selection field.
   
4. You may also want to check Download important updates in the background.
5. Close the Software Update window by clicking on the Red button in the top left corner. This will automatically save your settings.

 

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Automated Software Update in Mac OS 9

You can configure Software Update to automatically check for updates. This is recommended.

1. Click on the Apple menu > Control Panels and select Software Update.
2. Check the box next to Update software automatically.
   
3. Click on the Schedule button and configure a schedule for the system to check for updates.
4. You may also want to check Ask me before installing new software if you want to be prompted before installations of software updates.
5. Close the Software Update window to save your settings.

 

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Manual Software Update in Mac OS X

1. Connect to the Internet if you are not connected currently. On campus machines should already be connected via ethernet.
2. Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
3. Open Software Update.
4. Click the Check Now button.
   
5. Your system will be examined and recommended updates may appear. If you want these updates to be downloaded and installed check the appropriate box(es) when prompted and click the Install button.
6. Enter an administrator account name and password.
7. After the installation, restart the computer if prompted.
8. Repeat these steps to see if more updates are now available. Because some software updates are prerequisites for others, you may need to repeat these steps several times to complete the software update sequence.

Additional Resources:

Apple's Updating Your Software

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Manual Software Update in OS 9

1. Connect to the Internet if you are not connected currently. On campus machines should already be connected via ethernet.
2. Click on the Apple menu > Control Panels and select Software Update.
3. Click the Update Now button.
   
4. Your system will be examined and recommended updates may appear. If you want these updates to be downloaded and installed check the appropriate box(es) when prompted and click the OK button. Files will be downloaded and installed to your system. (Note: Software update can be scheduled to update automatically if the Update software automatically box is checked).

If you have an older Macintosh system that does not have Software Update use your web browser to download updates for your specific Macintosh model and operating system at: http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/