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 customize 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.
By Roman Loyola, Macworld
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