How do I remove files that Software Update has downloaded?

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Level 1

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How do I remove files that Software Update has downloaded?

Hi,

I've just realised that the "Download updates automatically" option was checked in my Software Update preferences. I have a 40GB SSD that I use only for the OS and apps and I therefore want to keep it as clean as possible. I've come across a folder in the Library folder of the Macinstosh HD volume called Updates. Is this where Software Update downloads the files to? It's 330MB in size and from what I can see everything that has appeared in Software Update is there.

I should also mention that I never use Software Update to install files. I always download update files from the Apple site, store them on a bigger hard drive and install them when needed. I only use Software Update to find out exactly what updates I am missing.

So how do I remove the files that Software Update has downloaded automatically? Am I safe to trash the contents of the Updates folder that I mentioned before? Here's a picture of the folder I'm talking about:

http://img135.imageshack.us/i/screenshot20100923at325.png/

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot for reading.

Regards,

Daniel

Mac Pro 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" (Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.4), 12GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM

Posted on Sep 22, 2010 10:28 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Sep 22, 2010 10:57 PM in response to IlMolto

Delete that folder's contents. It's not needed.

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Answer 2

IlMolto Author

Level 1

11 points

Sep 23, 2010 12:29 AM in response to baltwo

Hi baltwo,

Thanks for your reply. Even delete the two .plist files in the folder? Will it hurt anything if I did?

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Answer 3

Sep 23, 2010 9:26 AM in response to IlMolto

Can we get further confirmation from readers of this discussion group re: deletion of Updates from HD/Library f/Updates? I have been told not to delete anything from the Mac HD.

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Answer 4

Sep 23, 2010 10:54 AM in response to Gerald Gilardi

If you actually USE Software Update to install things, as soon as it is done it automatically deletes the downloaded updates from the /Library/Updates folder. If you haven't installed some updates, they sit there until you do. In the original poster's case, the updates were installed from some OTHER updater, which had been downloaded manually, presumably to the Downloads folder, installed and then deleted. Therefor there is no reason to keep copies of the files in the /Library/Updates folder.

I have been told not to delete anything from the Mac HD

Unless you know exactly what the file is, what put it there, and why it is there, that's good advice. And that's what this particular thread is all about.
Francine

Francine
Schwieder

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Answer 5

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Sep 23, 2010 11:48 AM in response to IlMolto

Confirming Francine's reply, I just keep it empty. Again the two plist files aren't needed. It use to be that full installers were kept in the Updates folder; however, Snow Leopard dispensed with that capability, deleting those distribution packages after installing the updates.

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Answer 6

IlMolto Author

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11 points

Sep 23, 2010 9:02 PM in response to baltwo

Thanks a lot for all your help. My SSD is now 330MB lighter 🙂

Regards,

Daniel

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Answer 7

IlMolto Author

Level 1

11 points

Sep 23, 2010 9:10 PM in response to IlMolto

Actually another thing came to mind while we're on the subject of saving space.

When I watch movie trailers from apple.com, it has two options - Watch and Download. Clicking on Download will open the trailer in QuickTime Player. Does anyone know if these files are actually stored on disk, permanently, or temporarily? I like to download 1080p trailers which can be quite large in size.

Thanks again for reading.

Regards,

Daniel

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Answer 8

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Sep 23, 2010 11:07 PM in response to IlMolto

Thanks for the feedback. As for the QT query, try the QT forum at http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=122 Good computing.

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Answer 9

IlMolto Author

Level 1

11 points

Sep 23, 2010 11:34 PM in response to baltwo

Will do baltwo. Thanks again for your help.

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