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Operating System Updates
Overview
Apple and Microsoft release numerous bug fixes, security patches, and other software updates throughout the year for their operating systems. You can configure Mac OS X and Windows XP to automatically download critical updates in the background while you continue to use your computer. Occasionally, certain updates (such as security patches) may require you to restart your computer for them to take effect.
Mac OS X
To check for new software updates from Apple, click on the Apple menu and select Software Update. The Software Update application will launch, displaying updates available for you to download. Check the box next to each update you wish to download and click the Install button. OS X will download and install your selected updates without disturbing you again, unless a restart is required.
OS X's Software Update application alerts you of available updates from Apple
If you choose to skip an update, Software Update will periodically remind you that it's available. If you wish to permanently skip an update, you can choose to ignore it. To do so, select an update, then go to Update > Ignore Update. This will remove the update from Software Update's list of available items, and you won't be notified of it again.
You can choose to ignore updates you don't wish to install
If you later wish to install an update that you previously set to ignore, go to Software Update > Reset Ignored Updates. The downside of this is that all ignored updates will be displayed — there is no way to reset ignored updates on an individual basis.
To configure download/install settings for updates, go to Software Update > Preferences. This will open the Software Update preference pane of System Preferences. You can set when Software Update checks for new updates, as well as whether or not to automatically download important updates in the background. The "Installed Updates" tab provides a listing of all updates previously installed, along with the date of installation.
While administrators can prevent other users from accessing the Software Update application, it is not obvious how to do so:
- Launch System Preferences
- Click on "User Accounts"
- Select the user you wish to edit
- Select the "Parental Controls" tab (available with standard and managed accounts only)
- Check the box next to "Finder.app & System" and click configure
- Check the box next to "This user can only use these applications"
- Check any or all of the available items
This will allow only users with access to download and install new updates for the operating system.
Windows XP
XP users can update the operating system and software on their computer two ways — via Automatic Updates or Microsoft's Windows Update website.
Automatic Updates
XP offers lots of flexibility when it comes to configuring how the operating system handles updates. To configure automatic updates, go to Control Panel > Automatic Updates. You can choose from one of four ways to receive automatic updates:
- Automatically download recommended updates and install them (this is the recommended setting)
- Download updates, but let the user choose when to install them (good for high bandwidth connections)
- Notify user of updates and let them choose which updates to download (good for low bandwidth connections)
- Turn off Automatic Updates (user will not receive any notifications; not recommended)
The recommended setting, Automatic, will automatically download and install all critical updates. Downloads occur silently and unobtrusively in the background at a scheduled time of the user's choosing. Installation will happen once the update is completely downloaded. The process is slick and seamless, requiring no user interaction. This ensures that the latest critical updates will always be installed, without burdening the user to keep their system up-to-date.
If the user has turned on notification before the installation of automatic updates, XP will display an alert icon in the system tray. The user can then choose to install the updates at his or her leisure. Additionally, when shutting down the computer, XP will present the option of first installing new updates before shutting down.
Microsoft's Windows Update Website
One limitation of XP's automatic updates is that it is meant to deliver critical updates only — those updates having to do with security issues or other critical flaws in the operating system. For updates to less essential components, such as Windows Media Player, visit Microsoft's Windows Update website.
Windows Update home page
Windows Update presents two install options: express and custom. The express install option quickly finds, downloads, and installs the critical updates your computer needs with just two clicks. Power users will prefer to use the custom install option, which allows you to install updates for general software and hardware drivers.
Clicking through the categories on the left side of the page will show you the different software and driver updates which are available. Simply check off the updates you want and they will be added to the list. If you wish to ignore an update, click the check box next to Hide this Update.
Windows Update displays the updates you have selected before you download
Clicking the install button will begin the installation process.
Windows Update downloads can be paused and resumed at any time. If your download is interrupted for any reason, you can simply click Install again, and the download will continue from where it left off. In addition, the user can view updates they have performed in the past by clicking "View installation History" on the left side of the page.
Conclusion
Both operating systems provide thorough support for installing updates. Microsoft goes a step further by providing an option for fully automatic updates that download and install in the background, requiring zero interaction on the part of the user to keep their system up-to-date and protected against the latest security threats. Although Apple's Software Update can automatically download updates in the background, it still requires the user to initiate the installation process.
Mac OS X
- Can check for updates either automatically or manually
- Can automatically download updates in background
- Users can view a list of all previously installed updates and when they were installed
- Software Update gives you descriptions of updates; notifies user if a restart will be required
- Ignore updates that you don't need or want
- Limited options for downloading and installing of updates
- Updates cannot automatically install in the background
- Software Update does not provide updates for third-party hardware drivers
Windows XP
- Can be configured to automatically download and install updates in the background
- Flexible control over the downloading and installing of updates
- Shutdown dialog asks if you wish to install new updates before shutting down
- Windows Update can list all previously installed updates and the date they were installed
- Windows Update allows you to hide updates you don't need
- Windows Update provides updates for third-party hardware drivers if available
- Only critical updates are available through "automatic" updates
Mac OS X: 6
Windows XP: 8
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