I am unable to update macOS from High Sierra to latest version

To be clear, software update generally means to apply an update to the macOS currently running on the Mac; update Catalina 10.15.1 to Catalina 10.15.2, for example. 

A software upgrade is a generational step up to a newer macOS; upgrade from 10.11 El Capitan to 10.13 High Sierra for example, or from 10.14 Mojave to 10.15 Catalina.

How to Upgrade  macOS:

The macOS version you can upgrade to depends on the model and year of your Mac.

Click the  (Apple) menu at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. 

❗️ – IMPORTANT – Backup your data, now, before you upgrade.

Learn How to Back up your Mac with Time Machine:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250

❗️ – IMPORTANT – Your 32-bit apps won’t work in Catalina or Big Sur.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208436

Use this free utility to check the compatibility of your apps:

St. Claire Software – Go64: https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

🖥 – Check compatibility of your Mac with newer versions of macOS.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201475

✅ - Using Safari only, download the macOS upgrade installer app:

Click > Mojave, Catalina or Big Sur.

Double-click the installer app in the Applications folder to begin the upgrade.

The highest you can go is 10.15.7...

macOS Mojave 10.14.6 - Technical Specifications

General Requirements

OS X 10.8 or later

2GB of memory

12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*

Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Mojave:

MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)

MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)

MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)

Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac Pro (2017)

Mac Pro (Late 2013; Mid 2010 and Mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable graphics cards)

Don't use FireFox for these links…

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-mojave/id1398502828?mt=12

MacOS Catalina 10.15.7 - Technical Specifications

General Requirements

OS X 10.9 or later

4GB of memory

12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*

Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.

Mac Hardware Requirements

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina:

MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)

MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)

MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)

Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac (Late 2012 or newer)

iMac Pro (2017)

Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210190

Don't use FireFox for these links…

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12

How to upgrade to macOS Catalina – Apple Support

And caution on 10.15 or higher, to see which Apps will no longer work in 10.15 get Go64...

https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

If you get a corrupted message...

Naw, it's not damaged, it's just that you have an old copy already in Applications, there are 2 cures...

Disconnect from the Internet & set the Date back to 2014, then you can run the Install MacsOS ******* App in Applications, so expired Certificates are not expired.

Trash the Install MacsOS *******.app in Applications then a new copy more recent version can be downloaded.