Do Software Updates Eat Disk Space?

Question

Level 2

355 points

Do Software Updates Eat Disk Space?

Hello Mac Fans,

I'll admit I like to keep my Mac clean––I regularly run Utilities, and I keep 99% of my heavy files off on external drives. I also have uninstalled several apps unnecessary to my workflow.

I like OSX updates, but the large file sizes distress me. I want to keep my drive going fast and not bog the computer down.

I'm not the most technical when it comes to hardware, but is there a way to compensate for software updates? Can I throw old updates away? How does the system work?

Thanks,

Benlen

12 inch 1.5 GHZ Powerbook G4 Superdrive, 5th Generation iPod (Video Black), Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Jun 12, 2007 5:10 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 12, 2007 5:28 AM in response to benlen

Hi benlen:

OS X is really quite efficient. It does not leave chunks of unused stuff around. I have not noted any significant HD changes after an update.

By the by, OS X also manages overall system resources very well. Large files on your HD will not slow anything appreciably.

Take a look at your HD before and after updates. I think you will see what I mean.

Barry

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Answer 2

Jun 12, 2007 5:34 AM in response to benlen

The update does not use as much space on the disk as the size of the update since it deletes the files replaced by the update. It does leave a receipt file, but this is smaller than the update. Do not move or delete the receipt because it is needed to repair permissions with Disk Utility, and is used by Software Update to determine which updates are needed.

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Answer 3

benlen Author

Level 2

355 points

Jun 12, 2007 5:42 AM in response to Malcolm Rayfield

Thanks for the responses, everyone.

Just to clarify Malcolm, did you say that the receipt deletes the old receipt after installation? I apologize for my half a brain!

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Answer 4

Jun 12, 2007 6:14 AM in response to benlen

It will leave the old receipt, but delete any files that were replaced. The receipts files are small because they just contains information (such as file permissions) about the files installed, not the files themselves. Later receipts do not obsolete older ones. For example OSX 10.4.9 would not necessarily replace all the files installed by OSX 10.4.8. Repair Permissions in Disk Utility needs information about all system files, so would need both receipts.

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Answer 5

neutron

Level 2

315 points

Jun 12, 2007 9:50 AM in response to benlen

The update size itself is big, but because some eqivalent size files are replaced, the used disk space isn't nearly as big as the update size. I think Apple mainly posts that for dial-up connection users so that they don't spend an houd downloading some 100mb update then realize it's too big.

~D

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