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I'm running MacOS 10.12.4 and I have a time machine backup that’s relatively current. I decided to download the 10.12.6 point update in the App Store. It downloaded the roughly 2 GB file. (I did not see when it finished because I left the Mac unattended near the end of the download.) When I returned to the Mac, the App Store showed 10.12.6 as something I could update, as if I never downloaded it in the first place. I pushed update and it wanted to re-download the 2 GB update, which I did not wish to do since it takes so long to download. I rebooted and it was the same story.

In /Library/Updates it does show up in a folder titled 091-22861, and if I open macOSUpdCombo10.12.6Auto.pkg which is roughly 1.7 GB it appears to be something that would actually install the update.

I didn't want to run that though since I was afraid doing it that way could mess something up. But at the same time I don't want the wasted space on my hard drive. So my question is, should I run that pkg? Or should I delete the 091-22861 folder? (The folder also contains a couple other pkg files and other minor files.) Also, in /Library/Updates the index.plist references 091-22861 and I would want to make sure that removing 091-22861 wouldn't cause any problems stemming from index.plist either.

Edit: For extra information, I found a website that ostensibly allows you to download the update without the app store, and it indicates six pkg files that you'd need to run in order, and in my 091-22861 folder it only has three of those pkg files. I'm not inclined to install it from within 091-22861 so is there a safe way to erase that folder, and would I need to deal with index.plist in any way?

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  • You have a backup of all your important data right? That makes this a no brainer to answer. The answer will change based on the yes/no status of your backup
    – bmike ♦
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 1:44
  • @bmike I have a time machine backup from probably within the last week or two that should have anything important. But it would be a much bigger hassle in my view to restore everything from time machine than to clean up the Updates folder. Unless you recommend just restoring the Updates folder itself?
    – kal-al
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 1:46
  • Perfect. You can use a tool like BackupLoupe to see what’s up with that folder if that helps. Glad you have a plan I’m case your steps break things.
    – bmike ♦
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 2:16
  • @bmike Maybe /Library/Updates is not included in Time Machine. It doesn't show up in /Library in my Time Machine snapshots. I guess I'll have to try redownloading the whole update.
    – kal-al
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 3:21
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    One thing no-one has picked up on yet is that 10.12.4 probably is not capable of jumping straight to 10.12.6 with a delta updater, so the partial you have in /Library/Updates/ is probably no use to you anyway. Bin it & get the combo updater from support.apple.com/kb/dl1931?
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 6:29

1 Answer 1

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If you have a partially downloaded and/or installed update for Mac OS stuck on your Mac, you must re-download and reinstall the update on your Mac. You can do this in one of two ways. Either way will accomplish the same thing, with the same results, with no practical difference between either method.

  1. Download the update for Mac OS via the mac app store.
  2. A second option is to download your update outside of the mac app store by using Apples official download site located at https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1970?locale=en_US . For people who may read this in the future and experience a possible broken link in the above reference, just go to the apple page (or google) and search for Mac OS Combo update download. From Apples website, search or follow the links to the proper (or desired) version (ex:10.13.6) of your update, and download it. The downloaded file should be in .dmg format. Then double click the file, and install the corresponding app from the installer window.

Special Note in regards to Official Apple Software updates:

DO NOT download apple software or updates from a non-apple source.

Once the freshly downloaded update is installed, Mac OS should clean up any leftover files including the "corrupted" or "Partially downloaded" update.

If this is your only problem you are having with Mac OS, there is no reason to do a full reinstall, even if you are fully backed up. Lastly, I must stress to users how important updates are (primarily for security reasons). You should never get lazy and ALWAYS take the time to install new updates as soon as they arrive in the app store. This will keep you protected, and defended against hackers/rootkits/virus's/trojans/botnets/etc. etc. So please, don't wait, just update the Mac. If for some reason those partially downloaded update files are still there after the update, and if Mac OS doesn't clean up after itself, let me know.

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  • I will try that tomorrow. Thanks. I agree with your sentiments about updates, but point updates have gotten so large lately that it really is a chore for the Internet speed that I am unfortunately stuck with, that's the only reason I don't update as frequently.
    – kal-al
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 1:58
  • Lastly, again, for security reasons, DO NOT download apple software or updates from a non-apple source. If you want a second option to download your update outside of the mac app store, then you should use apples official download site located on apple's website. For people who may read this in the future and experience a possible broken link in the above reference, just go to the apple page (or google) and search for Mac OS Combo update download. Follow the links to a download from Apples website.
    – DanRan
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 2:03
  • Would there be any practical difference in terms of cleaning up the corrupted update whether I try the App Store again or if I use the Apple website link?
    – kal-al
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 2:06
  • Would it make any difference in terms of cleaning up the old update whether I try again from the App Store or if I use the Apple website link?
    – kal-al
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 2:08
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    Hi dan. Just keep editing this answer to be complete as the back and forth to figure out what the question is really asking progresses.
    – bmike ♦
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 2:15

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