How to Check for and Install Updates on a Mac Computer

One of the best ways to keep your Mac computer running efficiently, and ensuring that you are able to do as much as possible on your Mac computer, is to perform routine checks for software updates, and to then install such software updates. Most Mac computers are set up to perform these checks periodically on their own, and to then prompt you to install software updates. However, if your Mac computer is not set up to automatically check for software updates, of it you would like to check for updates between scheduled automatic checks, then follow the steps below.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mac computer
• Internet access

1. Click on the Apple icon that appears on the left hand side of the menu bar at the top of your screen.

2. Select, "Software Update" from the drop down menu that appears.

3. Wait for the computer to perform a check for any software updates. You will need to have Internet access for your Mac to be able to check for software updates, so make sure that you have this.

4. Close out of the Software Update screen if there are no software updates for your computer at that time.

5. Select the software updates that you wish to install on your Mac computer from those listed by checking or unchecking the boxes that appear next to each update.

6. Click "Install" at the bottom of the Software Update screen and wait for the computer to install the software updates that you have selected.

7. Restart your computer after closing all open programs so that all the software updates can take effect.

Tips & Warnings

• You can set your Mac to check for software updates automatically in the "Software Update" menu in System Preferences. To do this go to "System Preferences," "Software Update," and then check the box next to "Check for updates" and then select how often you would like your Mac to check for updates. You can set your Mac up to check either daily, weekly, or monthly. From this screen, you can also set your Mac up to automatically download important updates and then notify you when these updates are ready to be installed.