The Apple Software Update kept appearing on my computer to remind me to update iTunes, QuickTime, and iCloud. I wanted to disable it, but I couldn’t figure out where or how it was running. I didn’t find it in my Startup folder or in the registry anywhere. Here is how you can prevent the Apple Software Update screen from appearing.
Windows 10, 8, 7, & Vista
- Click the Windows Start button in the lower-left corner and type task scheduler in the Start Search box. Open the “Task Scheduler“.
- Expand the “Task Schedule Library” section.
- Select the “Apple” folder.
- Right-click “AppleSoftwareUpdate” and select “Disable” or “Delete“.
MacOS Sierra
You can also prevent automatic “App Updates Available” message from appearing in macOS.
Option 1
- From the Finder, select the Apple Menu then choose “System Preferences…“.
- Choose “App Store“.
- Uncheck the “Automatically check for updates“. Alternately, you could deselect only the specific type of updates you would like to disable.
Option 2
- From the Finder, open “Go” > “Utilities” > “Terminal“.
- Type the following, then press “Enter“:
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticDownload -boolean FALSE
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Mitch Bartlett says
It needs credentials for an account with admin rights. Make sure the username is correct, otherwise you need to use the admin account username and password.
Richard Perry says
I took the steps for my Mac (using High Sierra) and entered the text you suggest on Terminal; it then apparently requests a password then offers the image of a key. I enter my Apple password only to get a message: “Sorry, try again” and another request. (Stops after 3 attempts)
Broockle says
Didn’t think to click that arrow. Thought all the Program would just be in there.
That pic solved it for me, thx ^^
Bobbyji says
Just what I needed to know. Many thanks!
aj says
Love your work, man. Thanks :)
The Dude says
Beautiful! Thank you.
SteveJ says
Painless! Thanks a bunch!
Chris says
Thanks, got to stop them from slowing my mac down.
MM says
Spot on, thanks very much :)
Ya Boi says
When the “apple software update” pop up shows up you can click “edit” and “preferences” and change to never
PC-Principal says
Apple logic is so stupid in preferences you can untick update automatically and yet that apple software update screen would popup anyway. Thank you for your help
EDH says
Great!
VWells says
THANK YOU!