Software Update

Software Update was a utility found in Macintosh computers running Mac OS 9 and early versions of Mac OS X. This functionality for macOS has since moved to the Mac App Store.

Classic Mac OS
Software Update served as a link between the Mac user and the software update item itself. Although software updates had been available since System 1.0, they were often distributed over the Internet over complex web addresses or on floppy disks or upgrade CD-ROMs, and could not be located directly from within the OS. Thus, the need for Software Update, which was introduced in October 1999 with Mac OS 9 as an APPC control panel.

Mac OS X
In Mac OS X, Software Update became a System Preferences pane. The preference pane merely kept track of all software installed. The actual updating took place in the Software Update program, buried deep inside the System folder.

With Mac OS X 10.3, the importance of Software Update was further elevated when it was made the second item in the Apple menu. This, too, merely launched the Software Update program.

In addition to updates to applications and utilities, Software Update is used to distribute security patches to users. With the rise in computer exploits like viruses and worms, this feature can help users keep their Macs protected.