boosting software update

Hi,

Go to the Apple Menu > About This Mac to see exactly which Mac you have, then find out if it is compatible with a newer OS here: How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support or here: How to upgrade to macOS Monterey - Apple Support

Before upgrading, backup, check apps and peripherals for compatibility with whichever OS you decide to upgrade to.

Catalina, Big Sur and Monterey will not run 32 bit apps, so download Go64 and scan your Mac to see which of your apps are 32 bit and will need to be upgraded/replaced: https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/

Some apps may be 64 bit but still not run on a particular OS; you can check them out here: https://roaringapps.com/apps

The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.

With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install.  For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.

Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence.

Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade

macOS Big Sur 11 hardware requirements

macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements

macOS Mojave 10.14 hardware requirements

macOS High Sierra 10.13 hardware requirements

macOS Sierra 10.12 hardware requirements

Caution - jumping over all the newer versions and directly to Big Sur  / Monterey on Qualifying computers is Technically possible - there are those who have attempted and were successful.

Then there are those who attempted and had less than good results.

If this is a Production or Mission Critical Set-up - a more prudent and measure approach is suggested. 

The above is from observations on the Apple Support Community Forums and IMHO

Tips Big Sir Upgrade Released Nov 2020

Tips Monterey Upgrade  Released Oct 25, 2021

Make Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS

Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina, Big Sur & Monterey supports only 64 bit and there is no workaround.

Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may required update or upGrades to 64 Bit Versions.