How to stop Software Update System Preference from daily nagging to install security update (Mojave with Security Update 2020-007 installed)?

Question

How to stop Software Update System Preference from daily nagging to install security update (Mojave with Security Update 2020-007 installed)?

For various reasons*, I'm delaying installing Security Update 2021-001 and -002 until at least 5 days from now. But despite following all of the steps I have in the past for delaying this nag function, it's still giving me a daily pop-up notification to install 'Now' or 'Later'. I'm stumped on this.

My previous method -- go to the Software Update System Preference, turn off 'Automatically keep my Mac up to date', and then in 'Advanced' turning off 'Install system data files and security updates' -- is no longer working. See: the above.

I strongly suspect that Security Update 2021-001 and -002 have already been downloaded, and it's simply waiting on the install. Would finding the home for these files and simply deleting them work?

*- In case you're curious, the reason I'm delaying this is because the last Security Update I permitted (2020-007) to run updated my Mojave-running machine's firmware to Big Sur without my being aware it would, which migrated a host of small but persistent audio and video issues onto my machine. Issues that led me to 40+ hours -- I kid you not -- of work with Apple Support on a new Catalina-running machine, and that the Tier II rep I worked with confirmed exist, both through experiencing them with me and through implicit confirmation from the engineers he contacted. In short, the issues include: variable audio volume while listening to broadcast streams (without the Sound slider moving back and forth and with the broadcast audio stable on other devices, haven't tested home audio sources yet), and broadcast video intermittently flickering to a white field (the broadcast only, video stable on other devices). I have a major event this weekend which is reliant on my video and audio working, and ever since 2020-007 it's been at least a little flaky as I've found Catalina and Big Sur to be. I can't risk that happening on my main desktop.)

Posted on Feb 24, 2021 10:45 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 28, 2021 10:16 PM in response to rigelusesapple

One of the reasons why macOS Big Sur 11.1 and Security Update 2020-007 Mojave are paired in this page are because they have the same BootROM version as Big Sur 11.1, for all machines who can handle that firmware update: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212011

Here's another MacRumors page about it, even if you indicate it's rubbish: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-boot-logo-after-recent-mac-os-update-possibly-big-sur-11-1-security-update-catalina-2020-001-mojave-2020-007.2279786/

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Answer 2

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,596 points

Feb 25, 2021 12:18 AM in response to rigelusesapple

System Preferences> Software Update> Advanced.

Make sure Check for updates is unchecked.

That should stop the repeat notices.

As you can see from the screenshot when Check for updates is unchecked the other options are unavailable.

If you see folders in the Library> Updates folder then it is most likely they have not installed.

When the updates have been installed correctly the folder(s) should self delete.

Leave the .plists alone.

As an example the screenshot below shows an update folder 071-05425 and the contents therein,

this is Security Update2021-001 for macOS Catalina (on my other mac) which did not install

once downloaded and the mac restarted.

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Answer 3

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,596 points

Feb 24, 2021 11:29 PM in response to rigelusesapple

Open System Preferences> Software Update > Advanced is Check for updates unchecked.

That should stop the repeat notices.

Look in the Library> Updates folder to see if any updates have been downloaded in the past few days/ weeks.

They folders will not be named as Security Updates but be folders with numerical titles something like 161-05245,

open the folders to see the contents and which update packages they include.

You can delete these if you are using macOS Mojave.

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Answer 4

Feb 24, 2021 11:48 PM in response to Eau Rouge

Hi Eau,

I'm not sure I'm understanding you; your sentence may need an additional period in it. Are you saying, "Preferences > Software Update > Advanced. Make sure 'check for updates' is unchecked"?

If so, is it possible to have 'Check for updates checked' but 'Install system data files and security updates' unchecked, since I want to control manually are security updates? Turning off 'Check for updates' entirely might do the job, but seems "bigger" than I need.

In Library > Updates are folders from: 2/2, 2/10, and 2/19. (As well as the .plists, which I generally don't touch unless needed, of course.) I only really want to delete 2020-001 (if that even exists for Mojave - I think that might have the same content as 2020-007 for that OS version?) and 2020-002, nothing beyond that.

On a related question, should I assume everything in Library > Updates hasn't been installed yet? I assume yes, but better to check.

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Answer 5

Feb 25, 2021 1:57 PM in response to Eau Rouge

Is it possible to just delete the folder the security update is in -- using your example, 071-05425 -- entirely, safely?

I'm asking because it's not actually the Security Updates within the folder that I'm concerned about. It's the packages like FirmwareUpdate.pkg, or macOSBrain.pkg, since the last firmware update messed with my audio and video to the degree it did.

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Answer 6

Feb 25, 2021 2:20 PM in response to Eau Rouge

Hi Eau,

I don't have permissions to remove them. Moving them simply created a copy of them. Trying to delete them led to the error, "21 items can’t be moved to the Trash because they can’t be deleted."

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Answer 7

Feb 25, 2021 11:53 PM in response to Eau Rouge

Yes, this is an administrator account.

It will not let me drag them to the Trash. The above error occurs.

To remind: This is a Mojave Mac that has Security Update 2020-007 installed. That Security Update updates the machine's firmware to Big Sur. See this thread for confirmation: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/startup-chime-changes-after-2020-007-security-update.2275889/

If this isn't something Big Sur would allow, it's probably not something that this Mojave Mac will allow either.

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Answer 8

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,596 points

Feb 26, 2021 1:08 AM in response to rigelusesapple

What do you mean the Security Update 2020-007Mojave updates the machines firmware to Big Sur.

Security Updates often update the firmware but it does not mean it is installing the firmware for macOS Big Sur.

I installed SU 2020-007Mojave on my mac with no ill effects, although I always download and install them from

Apple Support Downloads rather than the System Preferences> Software Update mechanism.

This Mojave mac is updated to Security Update 2021-002 and works fine except for

the App Store updates issue which can be got around.

As for deleting the folders in Library> Updates it may be because you are running your mac with

SIP enabled (System Integrity Protection).

If you want to disable it boot to your Recovery HD, open Terminal from Utilities in the menubar

and enter

csrutil disable

press Return

Quit Terminal

Restart your mac normally.

See if you can now erase those folders.

If you want to re enable SIP boot to your Recovery HD open Terminal

enter

csrutil enable

press Return

Restart.

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Answer 9

Feb 28, 2021 9:08 PM in response to Eau Rouge

> What do you mean the Security Update 2020-007 Mojave updates the machines firmware to Big Sur.

Please look at the link to the MacRumors forum post I linked above; you'll see what I mean. Users are discussing the system startup sound (chime) and the HD icon changing. The change happens because the firmware -- which determines the startup chime sound and the HD icon image -- updates to the Big Sur versions. I have had this confirmed for me.

If your chime and HD icon didn't change, you may have the small selection of computers that cannot be updated to Big Sur's firmware. But all machines that could be updated to it were with 2020-007. Mine certainly was. That's what started this problem.

> As for deleting the folders in Library> Updates it may be because you are running your mac with SIP enabled (System Integrity Protection).

Yes. This is the default; see below why your instructions sadly won't work for me. (Again, confirmed by a Senior Apple Support rep with 7 years experience.)

> If you want to disable it boot to your Recovery HD, open Terminal from Utilities in the menubar

and enter . . .

. . . and here is the problem. As soon as I boot to Recovery, there is a chance -- according to the Senior Support Rep -- that the computer will create a "trigger list" that will tell the machine to install the files in Library > Updates during the next normal boot. He said that if I attempt this, I may -- and he doesn't know how likely this is -- cause the machine to have a "trigger list" that it cannot complete, which could halt its ability to boot (example: booting to a '?' or the 'bad HD' icon) and force me to reinstall.

I've considered booting to Recovery Mode, but the risk of leaving my computer in an unbootable state gave me seconds thoughts.

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Answer 10

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,596 points

Feb 28, 2021 9:44 PM in response to rigelusesapple

Basically anything you have have linked to is rubbish.

Would not trust the ramblings of a MacRumors post.

And would not trust someone who says they are a senior Apple support rep with 7 years experience to

sort out your problem if they were they would have been able to sort your problem out.

And yet you are asking a question here, which is used by and answer by users just like yourself.

Many many people are using macOS Mojave without issue, if there was a massive problem

such as you believe you are experiencing then you would see it here in these communities

and presumably your 7 years experienced senior Apple rep would be able to sort it out.

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Answer 11

Feb 28, 2021 10:06 PM in response to Eau Rouge

. . . this is not an especially helpful reply.

The reason the Senior Apple Support rep couldn't help me is because they are not allowed to direct users to use terminal commands that impact the Library files, not without being told to by Apple Engineers. I have known Apple Support Reps personally (though not the one who told me this), and this fits what I know.

So he could have run me through disabling and enabling csrutil, but to not risk his job, would have to ask the Engineers first.

Similarly, you do not need to trust MacRumors to know that 2020-007 updated all machines to Big Sur's firmware. I was simply offering you a link you could read if you preferred.

Since 2020-007 installed, my startup chime sounds identical to the Big Sur chime (I have heard the Big Sur chime before, and it is different -- and less pleasant!), and the HD icon looks identical. The boot picker selects the HD icon (unless a user edits it themselves), which is partially managed by the firmware. Can you think of another reason both of these would change to Big Sur's defaults?

Both of these were brought up because you asked. You suggested I turn off SIP, which is a great idea, and I explained the edge case that had the rep concerned without double checking with Engineers. You also directly asked me, 'What do you mean the Security Update 2020-007 Mojave updates the machines firmware to Big Sur?" and I answered.

I feel like your response has gone from 'helping a user solve a problem' to 'dismissing someone on the forums about something Clearly Made Up (because you hadn't heard of it)'. If you're not going to trust an experienced rep in-house, and you're not going to trust third party user discussion, who exactly do you consider valid input?

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Answer 12

a brody

Level 10

84,011 points

Mar 1, 2021 7:01 AM in response to rigelusesapple

Macrumors is a place where a lot of speculative discussion happens, and I would take anything I see there with a grain of salt. Here, in some cases you are speaking to certified Apple techs, such as myself, and some cases you are talking to people who have been directly helping Mac users for 20 years, such as myself. As for the issues with software update, your best bet is to also disable the updates through the App Store preferences itself.

As for concern of specific updates messing you up, my best advice on that is to clone your system before applying any update in case you need to back track, as the available pathway to the exact update sequence may not be available anymore at the time the update becomes available, and backtracking is only possible through a recovered clone.

Make two separate clones with http://www.bombich.com/ Carbon Copy Cloner, and make sure each is able to boot your system.

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