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Disable automatic installation for system data files and security updates

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Works with any MacWorks with any Mac running macOS/OS X on Intel or Apple Silicon.
  • macOS onlyThis script improves your privacy on macOS
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: High

    System Functionality / Data 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.
  • Administrative (sudo) access requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • 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​

This script stops automatic installations of critical updates 1, including security 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 and system data file 1 8 updates.

It improves privacy by providing:

  • Control Over Update Timing: Users can review updates before installation to ensure they meet privacy standards and do not introduce unwanted telemetry or changes.
  • Reduced External Communications: Reduces how often it connects to update servers, potentially protection user information.

The script configures the /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate!CriticalUpdateInstall setting 1 4 5 7 8. This action prevents automatic downloads and installations of updates 1. It also prevents users from changing the Install system data files and security updates option manually 1. This script is compatible with OS X Yosemite and later versions 6 8.

The revert script triggers softwareupdate --background-critical to install any pending critical updates directly 2 9.

Caution

Only disable automatic updates if you're committed to manually installing them quickly to maintain your computer's security 4 5 8. It's important to install updates soon to protect your computer. 4 5 8.

This script disables:

  • Definition updates for XProtect and Gatekeeper that keep your computer safe from new threats 5.
  • Rapid Security Response 10 11. Rapid Security Responses are software releases providing important security improvements between standard updates 12.
  1. 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.

  2. 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 tracking

    Decreased Security

    Some security features will be disabled or limited

    This script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable automatic installation for system data files and security updates" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 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
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable automatic installation for system data files and security updates" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable automatic installation for system data files and security updates
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 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.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
# For OS X Yosemite and newer (>= 10.10)
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate 'CriticalUpdateInstall' -bool false
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable automatic installation for system data files and security updates" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Terminal app
  • Difficulty: undefined
  • ≈ 3 instructions
  1. 1

    Open terminal

    Open Terminal app.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 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.

This category contains scripts to disable automatic operating system updates. Disabling automatic updates gives users full control over when and which updates are ...
Visit category page

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.

Disable automatic checks for updates
Disable automatic downloads for updates
Disable automatic installation of macOS updates
Disable automatic app updates from the App Store
Disable macOS beta release installation
Disable automatic installation for configuration data (e.g. XProtect, Gatekeeper, MRT)

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

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

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other 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.

Review Change History Our Change Process