Software Updates
Hi, can anyone tell me how to determine the size of software updates? I am restricted to 8GB per month so have to be carefully manage downloads.
iMac
9 replies
thanks Carolyn, but this doens't help!! Also, the KB you link to is outdated and the "Patch" folder it mentions hasn't had anything added on my Mac since December 2012!
Here is the link to the manual download of the new Mail update for Mavericks:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1703
It mentioned the file size. If you are on Mavericks, you can go to Apple Support > Downloads > drill down to what you are looking for and visually check for the sizes. That's about the best I can think of since they discontinued the old Software Update which had all that information. Apple thinks that everyone is on lightning fibre with unlimited bandwidth.
Thanks Bobowa, but i'm still on Lion - it's a 5+GB download which will use most of my 8GB for the month! With Lion, I click on the Apple, Software Update (which opens the app store). I see a list of all the updates available with "More" links which either expand with more info or link to the knowledge base on the apple website ... but no info re size! (unless I'm going blind... which I am a bit 🙂 )
If you are anywhere near an Apple Store, go there and talk nicely to them explaining the situation. They are generally very good at downloading and installing Apple software there in situations like yours.
No, the app store doesn't show sizes - you have to go to Apple support > downloads to find the file size:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/
The easiest way to navigate is to click on 'browse by product' then search for the one you are looking for (after checking in Software Update what it is). It will show you the file size.
And yes, I know Mavericks is more than 5 GB - I'd take it to an Apple store and have them download it for me.
ah ha!! Thanks soooo much!! I see it!!
I know Apple stores are very good, but it's a bit of a hassle with the 27" iMac. I do have a Mac Book though so maybe I can get the apple store to download a file which I can use to ugrade that and copy to the iMac to upgrade. Good plan!
Thanks for your help!
Good idea with the Macbook - make sure that you do NOT install while still at the store as the installer will self destruct after installing. So, copy the installer from the Applications folder to another folder or drive to use with another machine, then install. On the other machine, simply drop it into the Applications folder and double click to install.
Well isn't that just lovely. Apple (and Adobe, incidentally) need to realize that not all their customers are their ideal customer, living in a city with screaming bandwidth and bottomless pockets.
I had the same question, and I need to know the size of updates for the same reason as the OP. Moreover, those of us who live in the boonies and have satellite internet because it's the only thing available, are also far from Apple stores. Sixty-five miles one way in my case. I get the large updates at my daughter's house in the city.
Thanks for the info, and no thanks to Apple for making something that worked well (the old Software Update) into an annoyance. That, and the repeated reminders to download and the insistence that I change my settings to let the Mac download automatically. If I wanted that, I would have bought a Windows PC.
Software Updates