Not only does it seem to take a lifetime to download a new software updates, my iMac seems to be very slow prior to an update. It is as if my computer is refusing to work efficiently until a start the update. Is this a usual occurrence?
iPad Air 2, iPadOS 15
Slow performance while an update download is in progress could be normal if you have a 1TB HDD, but otherwise an iMac should not run slower if there is an available update that has not yet been installed.
If you have an iMac with a 1TB HDD I would recommend reinstalling MacOS onto an external USB SSD. Look for a USB-C SSD large enough to hold your files for a 2017-2019 iMac, or an external SSD that comes with a USB-A cable for a 2015 iMac. For more information see: Use an external SSD as your startup disk … - Apple Community
If your iMac has an SSD or Fusion drive then please install and run Etrecheck, and then post the results using the "additional text" posting option.
Slow performance while an update download is in progress could be normal if you have a 1TB HDD, but otherwise an iMac should not run slower if there is an available update that has not yet been installed.
If you have an iMac with a 1TB HDD I would recommend reinstalling MacOS onto an external USB SSD. Look for a USB-C SSD large enough to hold your files for a 2017-2019 iMac, or an external SSD that comes with a USB-A cable for a 2015 iMac. For more information see: Use an external SSD as your startup disk … - Apple Community
If your iMac has an SSD or Fusion drive then please install and run Etrecheck, and then post the results using the "additional text" posting option.
It will help us get a good idea of what is causing your problem if you provide a report of your system, that way we do not have to play 20 questions with you. The report we are requesting does NOT provide any personal information and is extremely safe to use. Please navigate to www.Etrecheck.com and download the free version of EtreCheck. Once you have you downloaded the app and installed it, please run the report and save it. This report will help us get a good idea what has been installed on your system and help us be able to diagnose what may be wrong.
When you have your report, you can attach it when you reply to this message and we can then review it and help you determine what is needed to get your system running well again.
For instructions on how to download your EtreCheck report and attach it to your reply to this message please click How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community It is helpful to us if you download the report to your Desktop.
Sounds like downloading the software update is taxing your internet service. If you have slow internet, then perhaps you need to curb other internet activities until the update has finished downloading. Another option is to disable automatically download and update. Then manually download and update when you are not using the iMac for other internet activities.
That was sound advice. I’ll bear this in mind at the next software download.
iMac slows down before an update
