Keep Your Computer's Operating System Up-to-Date (Macintosh)

We strongly recommend that you update your operating system on a regular basis with the latest security patches, updates, and drivers. This will ensure that your computer is up-to-date and will help keep your computer free from viruses and other security threats. Note: For computers that are significantly out-of-date, this operation may need to be run several times.

Obtain Updates Manually

Note: ?Be sure to save your work before performing this operation. The computer may automatically restart once updates are installed.

1. Go to Apple Menu > Software Update... The Software Update window will open. 
2. If updates for your computer need to be downloaded:
   • The Software Update window will open and check online for any available updates for your system.
   • Once the scan is complete, you will see a list of any available updates. Click Install to install them. Note: You may be prompted for your Administrator Account password.
3. If updates for your computer have already been downloaded and are ready to be installed:
   • The Do you want to install them now? pop-up window will appear. Click Install and Restart. The License Agreement window will open. Note: You may be prompted for your Administrator Account password.
   • In the License Agreement window, click Agree. The Software Update progress bar will appear. Note: More than one License Agreement window may open, so be sure to click Agree on each. Installation time may vary depending on the number of updates available for your computer.
4. If no updates are found, click Quit.

Obtain Updates Automatically

Mac OS 10.6.x & 10.7.x

1. Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences.... The System Preferences window will open.
2. Under System, click Software Update. The Software Update window will open.
3. Check the box next to Download important updates automatically (for Mac OS 10.7 users, this will read Download updates automatically). From the Check for updates: drop-down menu, choose how often you would like to check for updates. We recommend you choose Daily.

   Note: You will be prompted for your Administrator Account password and may have to restart your computer before these changes take effect.

Mac OS 10.5.x

1. Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Update.
2. In the Software Update window, check the box next to Download important updates automatically. From the Check for updates: drop-down menu, choose how often you would like to check for updates. We recommend that you choose Daily.

   Note: You will be prompted for your Administrator Account password and may have to restart your computer before these changes take effect.