Software Update OS X v.10.3 Macintosh

Software Update for OS X v.10.3

Software Update should be run 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.

Where to Find this Software

Software Update is already installed on all OS X computers. The documentation below describes how to use it in order to protect and enhance your computer.

Getting Started

Check what version of OS X you have. To do so:

1. Click on the Finder icon in the Dock
2. Go to the Apple menu
3. Select About this Mac. The version should be listed in the window that appears.

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 2.

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

1. From the Apple menu, select Software Update.
   
   
   
   
2. A Software Update window will appear listing all possible software updates. Check the boxes for all available updates for Macintosh OS, Security Updates, or Quicktime updates. Check any other updates in the list you wish to install.
   
   
   
3. Click Install # items to install the Software Updates you have selected.
4. Enter your Administrator username and password. Click OK.
5. 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. or The installation process has finished.
6. 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.
7. Close the Software Update window.
8. From the Software Update menu, click Quit Software Update.
9. From the Apple menu, select Restart.

To inactivate updates:

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 v.10.3 you have the option to ignore individual updates so they do not appear every time Software Update runs.

1. Open the Software Update window.
2. Highlight the update(s) you want to make inactive by clicking on the update name once.
3. Go to the Update menu at the top of the screen and select Ignore Update. The name of the update(s) you made inactive will disappear from the list of updates.

 

To activate an update you made inactive:

1. Display ignored updates by going to the Software Update menu at the top of the screen and selecting Reset Ignored Updates. The name(s) of the ignored update(s) will reappear in the window.
2. Follow the instructions above regarding installing updates in the Running Software Update section.

How to Quit

1. Go to the Software Update menu.
2. Select Quit Software Update.

• Rebecca Levine Darling
• Information Services
• Date Created: December 11, 2003
• Last Modified: October 6, 2005
• Page Expires: July 1, 2006