Software Update is a panel in System Preferences which checks for new and updated versions of your Apple provided software. After you install OS X, on the first startup, the Software Update application should run automatically. Afterwards, you can schedule your software updates to run automatically at specified intervals or manually.
To update your software, from the APPLE menu, select SOFTWARE UPDATE...
The application launches and automatically starts checking for new software.
The Software Update application checks the software on your computer and uses your network connection to locate any needed software or firmware updaters. If Software Update does indeed find updates, a list appears in the top portion of the pane.
To find out what a specific updater does, select it in the list and the information about that item is displayed in the lower portion of the window.
Notice the checkbox preceding each software name. If there is a check in the checkbox that software is installed when you initiate the install process. Click once in a checkbox to toggle a check box on or off.
Please Note: In some instances, Software Update lists software that you do not acutally use, for example, iMovie, iCal, or iPod. In those cases, we suggest that you do not update that software. By doing so, you will speed up the time it actually takes to update the software that you actually use, and you will be saving space on your hard disk. The software can be updated at a later date if needed.
To prevent Software Update from checking for that software when it is activated, you can make an item INACTIVE. To do so, select the updater in the list, and from the UPDATE menu choose MAKE INACTIVE.
Once you have the checkboxes set for the software you want to have updated, click once on the INSTALL button.
The AUTHENTICATE pane appears.
Type your computer's OS X username and password that you use to log on to your system.
Click once on the OK button.
The Software Updater now downloads and installs the selected software updates.
The status of the update progress appears in the lower left corner of the System Update pane.
In some instances, primarily with firmware updaters, Software Update simply downloads the updaters and places them on your desktop. In that case, when Software Update is finished, on your Desktop, locate and open the folder with the updater. Launch the installer and follow the directions for updating your firmware.
In some cases, a SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT pane appears. This document includes the general terms and conditions for the use of your Apple software. When ready, click once on the AGREE button. If you are installing more than one item, you may have to agree to multiple license agreements.
Sometimes you are required to restart your Mac when the installation is finished. To do so, click on the RESTART button.
Written by Teresa Hagan
Updated for OS X, version 10.4.x; 21 February 2007