Mac OS X Auto Updates

(Excerpted from Mac Help)

Periodically, Apple releases free updates to your computer's software. Using Software Update preferences, you can check for updates manually or schedule when your computer checks for updates.

Note: You must have an Internet connection to receive software updates.

To schedule your computer to check for software updates:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click Software Update.
3. Select Check for updates.
4. Choose Daily, Weekly, or Monthly from the pop-up menu.

   Note: The ITS Help Desk recommends that you set the schedule for weekly updates at the minumum.

5. If you want your computer to download important updates without asking, select Download important updates in the background.
6. When the update finishes downloading, you will be notified that it is ready to be installed.
7. When the installation is complete, Software Update checks for updates again.

   Note: Apple does this because some updates require that you have installed previous updates.

8. When your computer detects that an update is available, you can choose to download and install the update or wait until later.