Delete or keep Install macOS High Sierra file?

[stanw]

I just checked my applications folder and there is an Install macOS High Sierra file this is 5.21 GB. I'm guessing that at some point I must have downloaded the update but never installed it. I am not planning to upgrade to High Sierra any time soon.

1. Can I delete this file without any issues?
2. Does it make sense to just keep the file if I intend to update to High Sierra in the next 6 months OR should I just delete it and re-download the most up-to-date version when I'm ready to upgrade to High Sierra?

Thanks.

 

[Lunder89]

1. It is an app just like any other, deleting it won't break anything
2. The only time it makes sense to keep it around is when Apple discontinues it. And if you plan on upgrading in 6 months, just download it then.

 

[prisstratton]

The downloaded was likely “pushed” to you by Apple, I have seen such things before.

You can delete the file without any issues.

I would just download the most up to date version when you are ready to upgrade.

 

[DeltaMac]

You can drag that installer to the trash (empty the trash to remove completely), but it is likely that installer app will download again in the background. If you are not ready to update, and you don't need to have that 5GB of space taken, be sure to go to System Preferences/App Store pane, and uncheck "Download newly available updates in the background". Then, you can do that download when you are ready, which will give you the most up-to-date version at that time.

 

[AZhappyjack]

The downloaded was likely “pushed” to you by Apple, I have seen such things before.

You can delete the file without any issues.

I would just download the most up to date version when you are ready to upgrade.

Apple does NOT push new macOS version down automatically. At some point the OP must have downloaded it. Apple WILL push updates to your current version (if you're running Sierra and Apple releases an update, it will download and depending on your settings either install it or wait for you to approve the update)... but if you're running Sierra, Apple will NOT push the High Sierra version down to you... the only way to get it is to go to the Mac App Store and choose to download it.

OP, you can safely delete the installer, and download it again any time you choose (as long as Apple still offers it - which will end shorty after they release macOS 10.14).

 

[prisstratton]

Apple does NOT push new macOS version down automatically. At some point the OP must have downloaded it. Apple WILL push updates to your current version (if you're running Sierra and Apple releases an update, it will download and depending on your settings either install it or wait for you to approve the update)... but if you're running Sierra, Apple will NOT push the High Sierra version down to you... the only way to get it is to go to the Mac App Store and choose to download it.

OP, you can safely delete the installer, and download it again any time you choose (as long as Apple still offers it - which will end shorty after they release macOS 10.14).

Irrespective of what you say, it is exactly what happened on one of my Mac's and I know that I did not initiate the download.

I also suggest that you read the following:

https://tidbits.com/2017/11/15/apple-starts-pushing-high-sierra-on-unsuspecting-mac-users/

 

[DeltaMac]

Apple does NOT push new macOS version down automatically. At some point the OP must have downloaded it. Apple WILL push updates to your current version (if you're running Sierra and Apple releases an update, it will download and depending on your settings either install it or wait for you to approve the update)... but if you're running Sierra, Apple will NOT push the High Sierra version down to you... the only way to get it is to go to the Mac App Store and choose to download it.

OP, you can safely delete the installer, and download it again any time you choose (as long as Apple still offers it - which will end shorty after they release macOS 10.14).

Your opinion seems convincing enough, but I have a business iMac that needs to stay on Sierra for the present. The High Sierra installer suddenly appeared in the Applications folder, and was NOT directly requested through the App Store (that Mac user account does not have local access to the App Store app). The High Sierra installer downloaded because it was allowed by the settings in the App Store pref pane. The user of that Mac called me about that High Sierra installer. I had them delete the app. It appeared again within a few days (I did not remember about the App Store pref settings at that time) again, without the user doing anything in the App Store (again, that user does not use the App Store for any reason)

 

[AZhappyjack]

Irrespective of what you say, it is exactly what happened on one of my Mac's and I know that I did not initiate the download.

I also suggest that you read the following:

https://tidbits.com/2017/11/15/apple-starts-pushing-high-sierra-on-unsuspecting-mac-users/

Your opinion seems convincing enough, but I have a business iMac that needs to stay on Sierra for the present. The High Sierra installer suddenly appeared in the Applications folder, and was NOT directly requested through the App Store (that Mac user account does not have local access to the App Store app). The High Sierra installer downloaded because it was allowed by the settings in the App Store pref pane. The user of that Mac called me about that High Sierra installer. I had them delete the app. It appeared again within a few days (I did not remember about the App Store pref settings at that time) again, without the user doing anything in the App Store (again, that user does not use the App Store for any reason)

That's very interesting. I have no reason to not believe what either of you are saying, but I am perplexed.

I have 4 Macs in my home... two were manually updated to High Sierra (that is, I personally went to the MAS and downloaded and installed High Sierra), and I have updated them with each "dot" release of High Sierra.

The third was updated (manually, as above) to High Sierra, and it is currently running 10.13.3... the MAS / Updates shows an update to 10.13.4, but I have not approved the update, so it sits. It was pushed down to this Mac, I presume, because I had previously installed High Sierra.

The fourth Mac, a 5K iMac that I used for several mission critical processes is still running Sierra. There is nothing in the MAS / Update section for High Sierra, nor is there any High Sierra installer in my Applications folder.

Apparently, YMMV, but if both of your situations AND mine are true, how would one explain it?

 

[kohlson]

If the past is any guide, when Apple releases 10.14, within a few days 10.13 will no longer be available. It may come to pass that you decide that 10.13 is the Best Thing Ever, and if so you may want to keep a local copy of the full installer.

Editorially speaking, it's hard to imagine why 10.13 may be worth keeping, but hey, hope springs eternal.

 

[Ritsuka]

If the past is any guide, when Apple releases 10.14, within a few days 10.13 will no longer be available. It may come to pass that you decide that 10.13 is the Best Thing Ever, and if so you may want to keep a local copy of the full installer.

Editorially speaking, it's hard to imagine why 10.13 may be worth keeping, but hey, hope springs eternal.

10.11 and 10.12 are still available.

 

[DeltaMac]

...

The fourth Mac, a 5K iMac that I used for several mission critical processes is still running Sierra. There is nothing in the MAS / Update section for High Sierra, nor is there any High Sierra installer in my Applications folder.

Apparently, YMMV, but if both of your situations AND mine are true, how would one explain it?

You might explain it by checking your App Store settings. You likely have unchecked the settings that would result in the automatic downloads. That's my choice, now, too.

 

[djtopcat]

How do you just save the downloaded file from app store? I downloaded it and it said "continue installation" there was no option I could find to just save the dmg file in case I need to reinstall later.

 

[flowrider]

^^^^Download it, don't install it. and copy its to a flash drive or copy it to another folder, not identified as "Applications".

Lou

 

[DeltaMac]

The installer app that you download from the App Store is saved to the Applications folder.
So, if you simply choose to quit the installer, it is already saved to your Applications folder.
And, from there, you can drag and drop that app to another location, such as an external drive.
If you DO run the installer, the last step is for that app to delete itself. SO, if you want to keep a copy, do that before you continue with the install...

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
You can delete the OS installer if you wish.
But I would like to offer this advice instead:

Want to become a savvy Mac user?
Then DON'T DELETE -ANY- important installer file (even the large ones)
Instead, ARCHIVE THEM on a drive (can even be an old hard drive) that you maintain as a your own personal library of immediately-accessible Apple software.

Perhaps at some point you'll need the installer again.
But -- trying to get it from Apple might be a pain, or simply impossible.

Build and maintain your own archive of Apple software, and you won't have to worry about this.

I have OS installers all the way back to "Panther" from 2004.
Old Apple application installers, too.
And ALL KINDS of OTHER software I've found useful along the way.
Gigabytes and gigabytes of it.

Just another old drive in a drawer.
But having it could prove very useful "in a moment of need"...