Software Update Click to see a larger image

Even though the process is automatic, there are a few things to know to make sure you are getting the best use of Software Update.

When Software Update finds an update, you get a notification that you have updates to install. Click the Show Details button to see the list of updates. Here are a couple of settings to manage how Software Update works for you:

1. Open System Preferences from the Dock or from the Apple Menu. Then choose the Software Update Preference pane.
2. Make sure "Check for updates" is checked and set for Weekly or Daily. Avoid setting it to Monthly to make sure you get your updates in a timely fashion.
3. If you check "Download important updates in the background," the update process goes faster because you don't have to wait for the updates to download.

• You should do all of the updates even if you have no idea what they are. (The explanation offered is usually either too cryptic to understand or too vague to be useful.)
• Updates marked on the left with the grey and white triangle will require you to restart your computer when the update is done. Make sure you save all of your open documents and close down all of your applications before you start the updates.
• If Software Update pops up at an inconvenient time, you have three choices— 1) ignore it for a while until you are ready to do the updates (the Software Update icon will remain in your dock), 2) choose Not Now. 3) Quit Software Update from then Menu Bar. If you say Not Now or quit, Software Update will open up again the next day, week or month (depending on your settings) to give you another chance to apply the updates.