Overview
Staying current with operating system updates is essential for maintaining security, stability, and performance. Updates often include critical patches that protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities, improve compatibility with modern applications, and enhance overall system reliability. Keeping your device configured to automatically check for and apply these updates ensures that you’re always benefiting from the latest improvements without needing to manage each update manually. This article will provide instructions for each operating system to ensure software updates are downloaded and installed.
In this article:
macOS Instructions
1. On your Mac, select Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
2. To set advanced update options, click the info icon ⓘ in the Automatic Updates section at the top of window, then do any of the following:
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To have your Mac download updates without asking, select Download new updates when available.
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To have your Mac install macOS updates automatically, select Install macOS updates.
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To have your Mac install app updates from the App Store automatically, select Install application updates from the App Store.
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To have your Mac install system files and security updates automatically, select Install Security Responses and system files.
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Windows Instructions
By default, Windows 10 updates your operating system automatically. However, it is safest to manually check that you are up to date, and it is turned on.
1. Select the Windows icon in the bottom left of your screen.
2. Click the Settings icon.
3. Once in Settings, select Update & Security.
4. In the Update & Security window click Check for Updates if necessary. To check if your updates are paused, click Advanced Options.
5. Some feature updates will need to be manually enabled even when automatic updates are turned on. To do this go to, Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates. Once the update appears, you can select Download and install now.
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Linux Instructions
The system updates, by default, are not automatic. Different Linux distributions utilize package managers for handling application installation and updates. Programs such as Software Updater for Ubuntu and GNOME Software for Red Hat can be used to perform updates through a Graphical User Interface (GUI). Additionally, updates can be installed through the Terminal's Command-Line Interface (CLI). Instructions for performing updates through the CLI is as follows:
Ubuntu/Debian
- Open a terminal on the Linux system.
- Update the local package index on Ubuntu using
sudo apt update.
- Install available updates on Ubuntu using
sudo apt upgrade -y.
- Apply full distribution upgrades on Ubuntu when necessary using
sudo apt full-upgrade -y.
- Reboot the system after updates if the package manager or kernel changes require it using
sudo reboot.
Red Hat/Rocky Linux
- Update the package metadata on Red Hat–based systems using
sudo dnf check-update.
- Install available updates on Red Hat–based systems using
sudo dnf update -y.
- Reboot the system after updates if the package manager or kernel changes require it using
sudo reboot.