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How to Upgrade Mac System Software

Upgrading system software on your Macintosh computer changes the way certain programs and processes behave. System upgrades are used to fix bugs and errors that had previously been experienced. Upgrades are also used to introduce new...

Author: Marvin Fry04 March 20202 minutes read

Table of Contents

Method 1 of 3:

Upgrading Mac System Software With OS X 10.3 and Later

Open the Apple menu.
Click the Software Update option.
Choose the upgrades you wish to install in the Software Update menu.
Click Install.
1. When using OS X 10.3, click "Check Now."
2. Versions of Mac OS X 10.5 and later have the ability to run software update checks automatically. These checks can run in the background. When a software upgrade is available, the computer will prompt you.

Method 2 of 3:

Upgrading Mac System Software With OS X 10.2.8 and Earlier

Open the Apple menu.
Click on System Preferences.
Select "Software Update" from the View menu.
Select "Update Now."
Choose the items you wish to install, then click "Install."
Input an administrator account name and password.
Restart your computer if the software update calls for it.

Method 3 of 3:

Upgrading Mac System Software With a Standalone Installer

Open your browser.
Go to the Apple Support Downloads website.
Select the software update you wish to install.
Click Download.

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