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3: System Preferences - Software Update

Updating the software on your computer is important. Updates can mean small changes that aid in better functionality to major issues like security updates. We recommend setting your Software Updates to check automatically once a week. You can designate this setting in you System Preferences under Software Update.

PLEASE NOTE: when running Software Update make sure that your laptop is plugged in and NOT running on battery power. Also set your Energy Saver preferences to not Sleep during this time.

To check for new Software Updates or to designate how often your computer checks for them automatically, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Apple Menu in the upper left hand corner of your screen and select Software Update. Run any software updates that appear.

2. Click on the Apple Menu in the upper left hand corner of your screen and select System Preferences. A new window will open up with all of your System Preferences. Find the icon labeled Software Update and click on it.

3. A new window will open. This is your Software Update preferences. Check the box next to: Check for updates and set the time frame. We generally recommend "weekly".

4. If you click "Check Now", it will check for any updates. If there are any that are not installed the following screen will be displayed.

5. Check the box next to the updates you wish to install and click Install. (Be sure to run security updates and Mac OSX updates by themselves.) You will be prompted for your machine password to install the updates. You may or may not be asked to restart your computer after the updates are installed. Be sure to run "Disk Utility" following Software Updates each time.

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3: System Preferences - Software Update

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