How to adjust OS X’s software update

Apple distributes updates to Mac OS X and some of its applications (such as iLife and Safari) through a feature in the operating system called Software Update. To run Software Update, click on the Apple (?) menu and select Software Update. It may take a minute or two for this feature to run, longer if there are updates available for download and installation. (You may need to restart your Mac, so it’s a good idea to run Software Update when you aren’t doing anything else. You do have the option to cancel if you’re in the middle of something.)

By default, Software Update runs automatically on a weekly basis. You can change the frequency, or even turn it off - the settings for Software Update (for both Lion and Snow Leopard) are found in System Preferences; the Software Update icon can be found in the System section. Here’s how to customise Software Update to your liking.

Step 1: What’s the frequency

When you open the Software Update system preference, it opens to the Scheduled Check portion of the settings. Here, you can manually perform a check for updates by clicking on the Check Now button.

Below that is where you can set the automatic frequency for Software Update. In Lion, if the settings are dimmed, you must click on the padlock in the lower left corner, and then you’ll see a prompt where you must enter your password.

To have Software Update run automatically, click the Check for Updates checkbox. In the pop-up menu, select Daily, Weekly, or Monthly. Remember, you can always run Software Update manually when you feel like it, either through ? -> Software Update, or by clicking the Check Now button in the Software Update system preference. If you don’t want Software Update to run automatically, uncheck this box.

Step 2: Automatic settings

When selecting the Check for Updates box, a setting below it will become available. This setting allows your Mac to download the updates automatically, if any updates are available.

If you decide not to activate this feature but still have automatic checks for updates active, then Software Update tells you that updates are available, and you’ll have the option to see a list of the updates, defer the updated until later, or to go ahead and install the updates.

Step 3: Installed software

In the Software Update system preference, there is a second section called Installed Software. This provides a list of the software that has been updated via Software Update for your reference. There are no settings in this section for you to change.

When you’re done, lock the padlock on the lower left by clicking on it, and close the preference pane.

Other updates

If you bought a third-party application in the Mac App Store, use the Mac App Store to get updates. Other apps allow you to check for updates through the software itself, either through the app’s preferences, or through a menu selection.