OS X software updates (general question)

[parish]

What does OS X do with the files it downloads during s/w updates? Does it delete them after a successful install, or are they left on the disk somewhere? If so, where are they? Any updates that is, not just the 10.5.7 one (although that is what prompts my question due to the size of it).

 

[MacManiac76]

I'm pretty certain the installation files for the updates are deleted after the installation process is completed. OS X creates a receipt file for the update after completion so Software Update knows the update was applied and not to download and apply it again.

 

[sammich]

In SW Update, click on "Update", and you'll see 3 options. Download, Install, Install and Keep.

But yeah, by default, it deletes the update packages when it's successfully installed.