Mac OS X System Updates Explained

Mac OS X System Updates

Types Of Mac OS X System Updates

• System Specific = If a new Mac gets released just before/after an OS update then Apple may release a "System Specific" OS X system update. Examples of this are the Mac OS X 10.6.7 and 10.7.1 system specific updates:
• Mac OS X 10.6.7 update for MacBook Pro (Early 2011 model)
• Mac OS X 10.6.7 update for iMac (Early 2011 models)
• Mac OS X 10.7.1 update for Mac mini / MacBook Air (Mid 2011 models)
NOTE: System specific updates will usually get rolled into the next "Combo" update.
• Model Specific = If a new Mac gets released before the next OS update and there are significant software updates available for that particular model Apple may release a "Model Specific" software update. An example of this is the MacBook Pro (Early 2011) model specific software update:
• MacBook Pro Software Update 1.4 for MacBook Pro (Early 2011 model)
NOTE: Model specific updates will usually get rolled into the next "Combo" update.
• Security Update = Security updates contain very important patches to vulnerable parts of the system. Where possible you should always install security updates, sooner rather than later.
NOTE: Security updates for the latest version of Mac OS X will usually get rolled into the next "Combo" update. Security updates for older OSes usually get rolled into the next security update (effectively creating a combo security update).
The latest Mac OS X security updates are:
• The latest Mac OS X 10.7 security update is included in the latest "combo" update
• Mac OS X 10.6 Security Update 2012-001
• Mac OS X 10.6 Server Security Update 2012-001
• Mac OS X 10.5 and earlier are no longer supported with security updates!
• Delta = This type of update is available going from one incremental version of OS X to the next e.g. from Mac OS X 10.6.7 to 10.6.8. The size of a Delta update may be different for different computers.
NOTE: We do not recommend installing "Delta" updates because far more problems are reported after installing delta updates than combo updates.
• Combo = The latest "Combo" update is what we always recommend installing because it will make sure all previous updates and patches are applied correctly/installed as well as installing the latest ones.
• List of OS X 10.8 Combo Updates
• List of OS X 10.7 Combo Updates
• List of Mac OS X 10.6 Combo Updates
• List of Mac OS X 10.5 Combo Updates
• List of Mac OS X 10.4 Combo Updates
• List of Mac OS X 10.3 Combo Updates

How to install Mac OS X System Updates

Basic Method (System/Model Specific and/or Delta Update)

1. Go to Apple menu > Software Update.
2. Wait for it to check for new software.
3. Click the "Show Details" button and tick/untick updates as required.
4. Click the "Continue" or "Install" button.
5. Wait for the updates to download and install.
6. (If necessary) Restart your computer.

Recommended Method (Combo Update)

1. Download the latest Combo update manually:
2. To be safe, in preparation for installing the update:
• Restart your computer.
• Quit all running applications.
• Disconnect all USB/FireWire devices.
• Eject all optical discs.
• Unmount all servers.
3. Repair your boot disk's permissions.
4. Manually install the the latest Combo update from your 'Downloads' location.
5. Restart your computer.
6. Repair your boot disk's permissions.

Belt and Braces / Tinfoil Hat Method (Combo Update+)

1. Check your hard disk with one or more of the following products. Boot from your current:
• Mac OS X install disc and use Disk Utility to repair the hard disk.
• Mac OS X Recovery HD and use Disk Utility to repair the hard disk.
• Emergency Boot Disk and use Disk Utility / TechTool Pro / Diskwarrior to repair the hard disk.
• TechTool Pro disc and repair the hard disk. Buy it now at
• DiskWarrior disc and repair the hard disk. Buy it now at
2. Download the latest Combo update manually:
3. To be safe, in preparation for installing the update:
• Restart your computer.
• Quit all running applications.
• Disconnect all USB/FireWire devices.
• Eject all optical discs.
• Unmount all servers.
4. Reboot to your normal boot disk in Safe Boot Mode.
5. Manually install the the latest Combo update from your 'Downloads' location.
6. Restart your computer.
7. Repair your boot disk's permissions.

If this information helped you or saved you time and/or money why not donate a little to us via PayPal?
All proceeds go directly to MacStrategy / Burning Helix Limited to help fund this web site.

If this information helped you or saved you time and/or money why not donate a little to us via PayPal?
All proceeds go directly to MacStrategy / Burning Helix Limited to help fund this web site.

Go to this
web page
to donate to us.