How do i delete a downloaded (but not installed) software update file?

Question

Level 1

4 points

How do i delete a downloaded (but not installed) software update file?

i accidentally set my mac to automatically ‘download new updates when available’. (automatic install is turned off.)

in my system settings>software update, it now shows i have tahoe 26.2 downloaded which is 9+ gigabytes, with the option to 'upgrade now'. i do not wish to upgrade at this time, and i really need the storage back.

how do i delete the update? (i may choose to download it/the latest update again in the future.)

i have seen a few solutions online which dont apply to me- there is no ‘updates’ folder in my library, and there is no tahoe installer in my applications. i cannot find the install file anywhere.

Mac mini, macOS 15.2

Posted on Jan 17, 2026 5:58 PM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

428,189 points

Jan 17, 2026 7:59 PM in response to space34

Look for "install macOS Tahoe" in your Applications folder. Drag it to the Trash. You may need to enter your administrator password.

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Answer 2

lkrupp

Level 7

22,633 points

Jan 17, 2026 6:10 PM in response to space34

Try looking in /library/updates

Finder->Go->Go to Folder-> /library/updates

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Answer 3

space34 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2026 6:22 PM in response to lkrupp

i see now that i was looking in the incorrect library folder before. i have found the library>updates folder. it contains an index.plist, ProductMetadata.plist, and a Rosetta folder containing OnDemand and SoftwareUpdate>RosettaUpdateAuto.pkg. should i be seeing anything related to tahoe?

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Answer 4

lkrupp

Level 7

22,633 points

Jan 17, 2026 7:28 PM in response to space34

If that’s all you see then I don't know where else to look. The file may have already cleared. Have you checked Storage to see if it has changed. Other than that maybe someone else will come along with better advice.

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