Disable automatic downloads for updates
- Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
- macOS onlyThis script improves your privacy on macOS
- Impact: HighSystem Functionality Loss Risk: High
This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script. - Bash (Shell script)These changes use macOS system commands to update your settings.
- Fully reversible
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.
The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.
Overview
Missing Good Quality Documentation
This page does not yet meet PrivacyLearn's documentation standards. However, the script/action is stable and verified by community. Here are some options for you to understand its functionality:Computer-generated docs (PREVIEW)
This documentation may be low quality but still useful.Read computer-generated explanation
This documentation is automatically extracted from the code implementation.
Entry for macOS users: disable automatic downloads for updates to protect your files leveraging system privacy integration. In connection, this trick provides instructions to revert to factory settings.
Systemic abuse is prevented by data management. Ready to enhance privacy security with settings? Simply, begin the process to make the change. If you're unsure about a step, don't guess. Pause, reread, and move forward with confidence.
Technical Details
The tweak here refines privileged operations to accomplish controlled elevation and this executable can also help to strengthen personal data management.
On account of applying this macOS system-level configurations, this config applies your system to realize preference control to be able to improve secure privacy guardrail. This can help improve computer speed amid reducing overhead.
The action here changes update timing to reach protected update channels and it aims to help to reduce online privacy assurance risks. It helps use less power or resources, to gain reduced update overhead.
To help enhance digital privacy integration, this customization applies operating system behavior to benefit from secured system settings. It can also help improve overall system responsiveness with help of reduced system overhead.
Explore similar guides
Gives more context about the goal of the changesReview code
Requires technical knowledge about Bash (Shell script)Edit this page to improve
Requires technical knowledge about YAML and Git- Not Advised
This script should only be used by advanced users.
This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.
Consider creating a Time Machine backup before doing any changes.
- Security Trade-off
This action prioritizes privacy over certain security features. It's not recommended and should only be used by advanced users after understanding its implications.
Increased Privacy
Enhanced privacy through reduced data collection and trackingDecreased Security
Some security features will be disabled or limitedThis script can be reversed, this allows you to restore the default system security.
Apply Now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable automatic downloads for updates" using script
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on the button above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 5
Restart
Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.
Apply with privacy.sexy
Guided, automated application with safety checks- Recommended for most users
- Includes safety checks
- Free
- Open-source
- Popular
- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable automatic downloads for updates" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Disable automatic downloads for updates
- Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- 3
Run
Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.
- Apply
- Revert
# For OS X Yosemite and newer (>= 10.10)
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate 'AutomaticDownload' -bool false
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Help
How to apply or restore "Disable automatic downloads for updates" using commands
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Terminal app
- Difficulty: undefined
- ≈ 3 instructions
- 1
Open terminal
Open Terminal app. - 2
Copy code
Copy the code: - 3
Paste & run
Paste the code into Terminal and press Enter to run.Some changes require a system restart to take effect
Similar Guides
Wider Goal
Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
- Disable automatic updates
- Privacy over security
This category contains scripts to disable automatic operating system updates. Disabling automatic updates gives users full control over when and which up...
Same Goal
Other guides in Disable automatic updates See settings that are in the same category as this guide.Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
About the Creators
These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:
undergroundwires- Certified security professional
- 7+ years experience securing banks
- Open-source developer since 2005
- EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
- Open-Source Contributors
- Hundreds across the globe
- Testers, reviewers, developers
- Companies, military agencies
- Community since 2017
Reviewed By
This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:Expert review by undergroundwires
- Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
- Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
- Audited and verified using automated security tests
Public review by large community
- Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
- Millions of end-users tested across different environments
- Audited and verified using third-party security software
History
We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.