This System Preferences panel governs when and how your Mac auto-downloads new versions of software you’ve acquired from the App Store (Chapter 5).
Whenever Apple improves or fixes some piece of OS X or some Apple-branded program, the Mac can notify you, download the update, and install it into your system automatically. These updates may include new versions of programs like Photos and Maps; drivers for newly released printers, scanners, cameras, and such; bug fixes and security patches; and so on. These checkboxes govern the process:
Automatically check for updates. You grant permission to your Mac to ping the mother ship periodically to see if there are updates available. Turn it off, and you’re stuck with today’s software versions forever.
Download newly available updates in the background. If you leave this option turned on, you’ll still be notified before anything gets installed, but you won’t have to wait for the downloading—the deed will already be done.
Install app updates. If you turn this off, you won’t get OS X updates as they come along—only updates to your apps.
It’s hard to think of a reason why you wouldn’t want the latest, most refined versions of your apps. But maybe you want to read about some update online before installing it.
Install OS X updates. If you turn this off, you won’t automatically get OS X updates as they come along.
Install system data files and security updates. These files are part of OS X’s automatic, ongoing virus protection. If you turn this option off, your Mac won’t know how to recognize and fight the latest viruses. Also, you’re nuts.
Automatically download apps purchased on other Macs. Fascinating, Captain. This checkbox ensures that if you buy an app from the App Store on one of your other Macs, this Mac will download it automatically, so that you have it everywhere (assuming that both Macs are signed in with the same Apple ID).
Last check. This message lets you know the last time updates were automatically installed. And you can click Check Now to open the App Store to its Updates page.
Purchases and In-app Purchases. If you’re on an App Store buying binge, it may get annoying to have to enter your App Store password every time you get an app. With this pop-up menu, you can choose Require After 15 Minutes. Anything you buy within that 15-minute window won’t require your password.
Free Downloads. If you’re just downloading free apps, maybe security isn’t such a big deal. Here the pop-up menu lets you Save Password, so you don’t have to enter it every time you download a free app.