Multiple softwareupdate processes

On a macbook pro running big sur 11.7.1, I currently have 23 processes of /usr/bin/softwareupdate . From top they seem to mostly be in the sleeping state, but I do catch them in the running state from time-to-time.

It looks like the processes are being started roughly every 30 minutes, but never ending. Any way to address this? I don't have a minor version update available, and I don't want to do a major update right now due to loss of time for the update and recovery (rebuilding all my mailboxes, etc., which seems to be needed with every major update).

(I tried to include ps output, but that results in "You have included content in your post that is not permitted")

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Nov 18, 2022 11:53 AM

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1 reply

steve626

Level 6

13,887 points

Nov 18, 2022 9:09 PM in response to guitar720

Do the runaway processes go away if you boot into safe mode?

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

After Safe Mode, restart normally. Are they gone now?

If not, you could do several things:

Boot into Recovery and reinstall the MacOS. Make sure you have a good back up before any of these steps.

Download Etrecheck and run it and post the output here using the Additional text button below.

Something seems not right about your installation. The above steps may provide clues about what is wrong. I would not do a major OS update until finding the problem. Also, the rebuilding of mailboxes should not be required. I have updated and upgraded the MacOS scores of times on many Macs and have never had to rebuild mailboxes. The fact that you had to do that is also a bad sign, but maybe the above suggestions will reveal what the problem is.

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Multiple softwareupdate processes