Machine Updates

General Apple macOS Updates Information

There are four distinct update systems employed for Apple macOS:

1) Adobe: All Adobe applications are now managed via the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application. You will be notified when updates are available. To install updates, click the Creative Cloud icon (see photo below) in your menu bar to sign in if needed, and reveal update options.

2) Apple: All Apple internal updates (e.g. iTunes, Safari, macOS) are managed by the built-in Software Update service. These updates can be deferred up to 5 times before they must be installed. To manually install them after deferring one or more times, open System Preferences and click the Software Update preference pane icon (see photo below), then click Update.

 

3) Microsoft: You will be prompted when Office updates are available. If you find that updates are not installing, launch one Office application (e.g. Word), then click Check for Updates under the Help menu (see photo below). This will launch the Microsoft AutoUpdate application. Quit all open Office applications and then install any pending updates found in AutoUpdate.

4) Jamf/Munki: All other updates not listed above (e.g. Zoom, Firefox, Chrome) are automatically installed silently in the background after the update becomes available on the Cal Poly update server, providing the related application isn’t running and the workstation has an active network connection. This typically occurs within 24 to 48 hours of the update’s public release. Attempts to install the update manually will fail as administrator privileges are required.

Best Practices: While your workstation is in use, quit all unused applications. When not in use and your workstation is connected to Ethernet, leave it on and logged out. If your workstation only has access to Wi-Fi, leave it on but with your account logged in and with the screen locked. This ensures your machine maintains an active network connection for updates. If you have a laptop, connect it to a power source and do not close the lid.

General Microsoft Windows Updates Information