system updates

As you are on Mac OS X Yosemite there is no System Preferences> Software Update, that option only came

with macOS Mojave released two years ago.

In Yosemite updates are done through the App Store Updates page.

If however you really mean upgrades, i.e. moving from one OS to a newer one then read on.

The App Store Updates page only informs you of updates available for the OS you are currently running.

As you are running an older system then you are probably up to date on that system.

The model and year of your Mac will determine which macOS you can upgrade to,

Please use Safari to access the following links do not use Firefox

How to upgrade to macOS Mojave - Apple Support

How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra - Apple Support

How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support

Before upgrading make a full back up of your Mac.

Check that third party apps you use have updates available for the new OS.

https://roaringapps.com

Check that your printers/ scanners etc have updated drivers and software available for the new OS.

Connect your mac to your router via cable rather than rely on WiFi.

Do not use your mac while it is downloading

and do not use any other devices that share the same internet connection.

If the App Store says Open then it is detecting a previous download of the install app

go to the Applications folder locate Install macOS ******.app.

Move it to the Trash, empty the Trash.

Restart, click on the link again, the App Store should say ‘Get' or 'Download'.

If you are considering upgrading to Catalina be warned that it does not support 32bit apps.

Your Mac is probably running 32bit apps and these will need to be updated to 64bit apps,

some updates may be free, some may be paid. Use this app to discover which apps you have

are 32bit, https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/. Once the list has been created you can then

contact the developers of the apps to see if they provide 64bit updates. 

How to upgrade to macOS Catalina – Apple Support