Why and How to Delete macOS Update Files?

In the never-ending quest to free up disk space, you may have wondered if and how you can delete macOS update files. While updates are essential, they can also take up a lot of disk space, which can be a problem if you have little storage.

Deleting the macOS files always presents the possibility of crashing and system failures. So we did some digging for why deleting macOS update files can be a good idea and how to delete them in different versions of macOS. In this post, we’ll show you how to delete old macOS update files so that you can reclaim some valuable disk space.

Why Deleting MacOS Update Files Is a Good Idea?

Deleting apps and installation files from Mac can be exhausting. You can find a couple of great Mac uninstallers on a MacPaw blog. But before you go on deleting every unwanted file on your Mac, it is best to know its benefits and possible consequences.

If you’ve been using a Mac for quite a while, you know that every so often, Apple releases an update to the macOS. These updates usually include new features, bug fixes, and security improvements.

While it’s always a good idea to keep your MacOS up to date, you may not want to keep the actual update files around after you’ve installed the update. Here’s why deleting these files can be a good idea.

First, the updated files take up space on your hard drive. Depending on the update’s size, it can be several gigabytes. That space could be used for something else, like storing photos or music.

Second, keeping the updated files around can clutter your hard drive and make it more difficult to find the files you need. If you’re someone who likes to keep a tidy hard drive, deleting the updated files can help with that.

Finally, if you ever need to reinstall the macOS, you can always download the updated files again from Apple’s website. There’s no need to keep them on your hard drive if you don’t want to.

How to Delete Update Files on Mac?

Mac Terminal Method:

If you want to delete your old software update files to free up some space on your Mac, one way to do it is through the Mac Terminal. Before following this method, it is best to understand what Mac Terminal is and how it works to avoid accidents.

Here’s how to delete macOS update files through the Mac Terminal:

• Open the Finder and go to the “Applications” folder.

• Locate the “Utilities” folder and open the “Terminal” file.

• Type in the command “sudo softwareupdate –clear-catalog” and hit “Enter”.

• Once the command runs, it will automatically delete all your previous software update files.

Via Library:

If you’re running low on storage space or just want to declutter your Mac, you can delete old macOS update files. This can be done easily via the Finder app.

To get started:

• Click on Finder > Go > Go to Folder.

• A dialogue box will open. Input the following command: ~/Library/Updates

• The updates folder will show you all the software updates you have downloaded.

• Right-click on the software update you want to delete or select multiple files by holding the command key.

• Select “Move to trash”

That’s all you need to do to delete old macOS update files. Remember that the updates are still in the trash, so they are not completely out of your Mac’s memory. Empty the trash to delete the files permanently.

Final Thoughts

Deleting macOS update files can free up a lot of storage space on your computer. And it’s perfectly safe to do so – as long as you know what you’re doing.

If you need help with how to delete these files or want to avoid risking doing it yourself, you can always use a third-party cleaner like CleanMyMac X to do it for you. Just launch the app and click the “Scan” button – it will show you all the system junk that can be safely deleted, including old updates.

So there you have it – now you know why and how to delete macOS update files.