Software Update for OS X v.10.2

You should run Software Update regularly to make sure you have the most recent versions of Apple software and operating system support.

Software updates fix bugs and security holes in applications and the operating system and in general help make your computer more secure and function better. Information Services recommends running Software Update on a regular basis. Faculty and staff college-owned computers have been set up to run Software Update automatically once a week. If your computer is off during this time, Software Update will run the next time you turn on your computer.

Return to Welcome to OS X v.10.2

Running Software Update

If Software Update is set to check for updates on a regular basis, it will automatically open a window with all possible updates. Start following the instructions at step 4.

If Software Update is not set to automatically check for updates, follow steps 1-3 outlined below on how to check for software updates.

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
2. In the System Preferences window, click Software Update.
   
   
   
3. In the Software Update window, click Check Now.
   
   
   
   Note: If you receive the message, "Your software is up to date," you do not need to install any updates at this time. Click the red button to close the Software Update window, then select Quit in the System Preferences menu.
   
   
4. A new Software Update window will appear listing all possible software updates. Check the boxes for all available updates for Macintosh OS, Internet Explorer, QuickTime, Software Update, and/or Security Updates. Check any other updates in the list you wish to install.

   
   
   
   

5. Click Install to install the Software Updates you have selected and wish to install.
6. Enter your Administrator user name and password. Click OK.
7. Read each software license agreement and click Agree or OK to accept the terms. The updates may take some time to install. When the updates have been installed, you will receive the message Status: Installed. Updates to install: "0" or The installation process has finished.
   
   Note: If a window opens asking you to enter in the registration information for QuickTime, leave all the fields blank and click the Continue button. The registration is only if you have the professional version of QuickTime installed, QuickTime Pro.
   
   
8. Click Restart or OK: If you clicked Restart, your computer will restart automatically. If you clicked OK, or if the button in the lower right corner of the Software Update window is grayed out, restart your computer once you have quit Software Update.
9. Click the red button to close the Software Update window.
10. From the Software Update menu, click Quit Software Update.
11. From the Apple menu, select Restart.

    Not all updates from Apple will be useful to you. Some updates may be for software or hardware you do not possess. You may download them if you want, but in OS X you now have the option to make individual updates inactive so they do not appear every time Software Update runs.

    1. Highlight the update you want to make inactive by clicking on the update name once.
    2. Go to the Update menu at the top of the screen and select Make Inactive. The name of the update you made inactive will disappear from the list of updates, and the number of inactive updates will appear in the bottom right-hand corner of the window

To activate an update you made inactive:

1. Display inactive updates by clicking on Inactive Updates once. The name(s) of the inactive update(s) will reappear in the window grayed out. You can also go to the Update menu and select Show Inactive Updates to see the inactive updates.
   
   
   
   
2. Highlight the name of the inactive update by clicking once on the name.
3. Go to the Update menu and select Make Active.
4. Follow the instructions above regarding installing updates.

• Rebecca Levine Darling
• Information Services
• Date Created: January 17, 2003
• Last Modified: October 6, 2005
• Page Expires: July 1, 2006