Manually Installing New Software and Updates

Manually Installing New Software and Updates


Installing New Software from a Disc
Simply insert the CD or DVD in your computer's optical disc drive. In most cases the software installer will open automatically. If not, double-click the disc icon on your desktop and in the resulting window, look for a file with the word “installer” in the title or a package (.pkg) file . Double-click the file to open the installer and follow the onscreen instructions to install the software. Please note that you will need to enter an administrator name and password to install software.

Installing or Updating Software from a Downloaded File
Most software installers and updaters that you download from the Internet come in the form of a disk image (.dmg) file. When you download such a file from a website, such asApple Downloads), the disk image will usually open the software or update installer automatically after the download finishes. If you don't see an installer window, simply double-click the downloaded disk image file to mount the disk image on your desktop. All files will download to your desktop by default unless you've specified a download location in your web browser preferences. Double-click the disk volume that appears and then double-click the installer or updater file to start the installation process, if you see an application instead of an installer, skip to the next step. Follow the onscreen instructions to install or update the software. You will need to enter an administrator name and password to install or update software.

Installing Software from a Downloaded File That Lacks an Installer
After downloading software, if an installer window doesn't open automatically or you don't see a file with the word “installer” (or the like) in its name when you manually mount the disk image, simply install the software by dragging and dropping the file or folder from the disk image to the Applications (or other) folder on your Mac. These types of files already have all the necessary files pre-installed and don't require a proper installer to install it—or an administrator name and password.

More Information About Installing or Updating Software
Most installers will ask you where you'd like to install your software in the onscreen display, updaters may ask you to select the application to be updated if it doesn't find it automatically. The Applications folder is generally the best place to install software. To avoid issues, do not rename applications. If you need additional assistance, look for a text or PDF file of instructions that may come with the installer or visit the developer's site. If your downloaded file arrives in a compressed format such as a .bin, .sit, .sit.hqx, or .sea.hqx file, double-click the file to expand it first—you'll need Allume systems StuffIt Expander (a free utility) or similar application. For help with installing Dashboard widgets.

Using Software Update

1) Check for Updates

Mac OS X comes with a built-in feature called Software Update that will check for, download, and install software and updates from Apple for you—all you have to do is tell it to do so. From the Apple menu, choose Software Update (your Mac must be connected to the Internet). Software Update will assess your installed Apple software, check for updates on our servers, and then display the recommended updates in a window.


2) Select What You Want and Install

To get more information about an update or software title, select the item in the Software Update list. If you want Software Update to download and install everything that's check marked on the list, click the Install button. If you only want it to download and install certain items, select the checkbox next to each software title you want, or deselect what you don't want, and then click the Install button. Please note that some software displayed may be optional installs, and are not automatically check marked. For example, Software Update may show an update for AirPort base stations if it detects that you have an AirPort card installed. You can decide whether the download is appropriate for your configuration.


3) Set a Schedule to Check Automatically (Optional)

If you want Software Update to automatically check for updates at a scheduled time, choose System Preferences from the Apple menu and then click Software Update. In the resulting pane, click the Update Software tab, select the “Check for updates” checkbox, and choose an interval from the pop-up menu (Daily, Weekly, or Monthly). If you want Software Update to download and install important updates without asking, select the “Download important updates in the background” checkbox.