Remove Apple's annoying popup messages - pestering to upgrade operating system

I'm happy to report that this fix seems to be working. As the MacWorld article mentions - you have to run the procedure again as new updates come along. That's okay with me though.

I did notice from the command line this message when using this command: sudo softwareupdate --ignore "macOS Catalina"

Password:

Ignored updates:

(

"macOS Catalina"

)

Ignoring software updates is deprecated.

The ability to ignore individual updates will be removed in a future release of macOS.

If that statement really is true then I am disappointed for macOS. This reminds me of a Windows operating system - giving no choice in the matter. :(

EDIT: I need to retract a statement. I am able to kill the Catalina forced update through the command line. Operator error on my part. I wrote a script called killcata.sh and tried running it this way: python ./killcata.sh. Yeah, I know, that was dumb of me. I'm a bit triggered over all this to begin with. Anyway, I am relieved I don't have to jump into action to downgrade immediately or face a forced Catalina install - which is still incredibly lame.

Thanks for the info and links! I did run this - but skipped the very first step (which aren't copied here) from the macworld.com website - because I'd like to receive normal updates.

So . . .

Does this (just the two command line entries) only block the annoying update to Catalina or will every update get blocked? I just want the normal updates - but, I don't want Catalina. That's all.

I created a script to remove the messages. Seems like I have to run the script daily. The concern here is that with so many popups desperately trying to get me to change operating systems will lead to a tragic mistake should I have a mishap and click yes instead of no. (again - hauntingly reminiscent of Microsoft Windows). Not all of my software will run if I upgrade. Also, I'm still using a 2015 MBP - because I use all ports throughout the week - every week of the year.

At the moment I'm running Mojave. It might be best that I downgrade to an operating system that isn't hassling me on a daily basis to upgrade.

Does anyone know which operating system allows the user a choice? (i.e. not forcing the user to upgrade to another operating system).

I shouldn't even have to ask this question - but the old Apple is gone forever - overrun by the marketing department.

Good to know. Looks like I'll need to downgrade immediately - because the fix above mysteriously stopped working today. The massively annoying pop-up to change operating systems appears daily - and there isn't anything thing I can do about anymore. Apple just wants to be as crappy as Microsoft Windows Operating system. All they need to do now is add random forced rebooting of your computer - so that you lose your work. That should put macOS on par with Microsoft Windows.