where do installation packages go?

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Level 1

19 points

where do installation packages go?

Hello,

An easy question, I think. I was installing a graphic converter update. It downloaded the update, but rather than relaunch and install I quit the programme. When I relaunched it, it did not say that the update was there waiting to be installed. I went to search for updates and it started downloading the same one again. Well, I have downloaded it, so why should I want to waste bandwidth doing this again? This is not the first time this has happened. I tried a spotlight search but no luck. So, where does Mac OS X put update packages so that I can install the software manually?

Thanks

M.

iMac 27" Core i5 3.6 GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.6), 8 GB RAM 2 TB HD

Posted on Apr 10, 2011 7:44 AM

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Answer 1

Dimaxum

Level 5

5,997 points

Apr 10, 2011 8:35 AM in response to Gauss

Hello Gauss,

Did you check the DOWNLOAD FOLDER in the Finder ?

If you can't find the download folder than open Safari Preferences and check how Safari is storing the downloading files.

Also ... when you download anything you can open the file/location by clicking on it in the download window/manager.

Dimaxum

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Answer 2

Gauss Author

Level 1

19 points

Apr 10, 2011 4:25 PM in response to Dimaxum

This is nothing to do with Safari. This concerns programmes that update software either automatically or through search for updates choices; Skype, GraphicConverter, Firefox and many others are examples. There is a place where packages are downloaded to, but I cannot find them. I guess it is in the Library folder somewhere, but I cannot find it. If only everything was put in the downloads folder life would be so much easier...

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Answer 3

g_wolfman

Level 4

3,472 points

Apr 10, 2011 4:35 PM in response to Gauss

Programs that self-update (usually downloading the update themselves, extracting it and then displaying an "install and relaunch" dialog) might very well be using temporary folders for the download, either in /private/tmp or in a temp directory they control (within the application bundle itself, for example.

In those cases, the download won't survive a reboot and may not even survive quitting the application.

Also, the location itself is completely dependent on the application (if they roll their own updater) or their update framework (if they use something like Sparkle). There won't be a single location; although if you know how they control updates, you might be able to narrow it down somewhat. Finally, the path names in temporary locations might be randomized.

Part of the issue, of course, is that this update model assumes that if you're notified about an update an choose "download and install", then you actually want to download it and install it. And that you are going to use their updater. If you want to manually update, you're probably best to jot down a reminder about the notification and then go to the application's website when you're ready to install the update and download it by hand.

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