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Disable automatic installation for configuration data (e.g. XProtect, Gatekeeper, MRT)

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on macOS.

These changes use Mac system commands to update your settings.

https://web.archive.org/web/20240321170251/https://derflounder.wordpress.com/2018/12/28/enabling-automatic-macos-software-updates-for-os-x-yosemite-through-macos-mojave/

This script uses Bash (Shell script) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details
  • Language: bash

  • Required Privileges: Administrative (sudo) access

  • Compatibility: macOS only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

This action belongs to Disable automatic updates category. This category contains scripts to disable automatic operating system updates. Disabling automatic updates gives users full control over when and which updates are applied to their system. It improves privacy by preventing unwanted data collection, new vulnerabilities and unapproved changes to... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Disable automatic installation for configuration data (e.g. XProtect, Gatekeeper, MRT).
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Terminal app

  2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes
# For OS X Yosemite and newer (>= 10.10)
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate 'ConfigDataInstall' -bool false
  1. Paste the code into terminal.
  2. Press Enter to apply the code.

Some scripts requires restarting your computer to take affect.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
# For OS X Yosemite and newer (>= 10.10)
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate 'ConfigDataInstall' -bool true

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