Understanding the most recent MacOS Updates

[Droid13]

Dear All,

This post wasn't getting much traction where I initially placed it hence the re-post.

I have noticed that the last few OS updates since updating to High Sierra (including the one earlier this week) have all taken considerably longer to install than what I am used to. In lay terms where possible, what is it about their content that means they take several minutes? My hardware isn’t the latest and greatest but still...

I am genuinely curious about this, particularly as I thought the initial long update was to sort out Meltdown and Spectre et al

Thanks!

Droid13

 

[Bart Kela]

As a layperson, I see the recent batch of macOS updates as under-the-hood security and maintenance improvements, so I figure some of these operations take more time.

I don't worry about longer installation times. It seems to be par for the course for many of these under-the-hood updates. I presume replacing base components of the operating system is a more painstaking process. Also, I understand that some CPU firmware patches may be applied, again something that is done very carefully.

When I start one of these operating system updates, I budget an ample amount of time and plan on doing something else while the upgrade is happening. No sense in sitting in a chair and staring at the progress bar's ETA (which hasn't been accurate in years).

 

[chabig]

I've noticed the same thing, but I'm like Bart and don't really care about installation times. My guess is that the installer is doing a disk verification first. On APFS disks those take a really long time because all of the snapshots get checked. The longer the disk has been in service, the longer it takes.