Following Apple support guidance check the update status or update the software of my Mac I went to System Preferences. Their guidance says to click on "Update Software" but I don't find any such icon. What am I missing?
iMac Line (2012 and Later)
The Software Update option in System Preferences is only there in Mojave, Catalina and Big Sur.
For earlier macOS versions, if there is an update available it appears directly in the Apple Menu.
If no Software update option appears in the Apple menu it means your current version of macOS is fully updated to the most up to date point version for it.
If you want to upgrade form Sierra to a newer main version of macOS, you can do so from the Mac App Store App.
See here: link-> How to upgrade to macOS Big Sur - Apple Support
Mac software update not in System Preferences
