Software update is the process of updating a device’s operating system, apps and other programs to a newer version. Most devices and many programs allow you to automatically install updates, or you can manually check for available patches on a regular basis. Depending on your platform, you might get a notification, see a flag or bubble in the app store or settings icon, or have to log in to the update site directly.
Software vendors release updates to fix security flaws and improve performance in a program or other digital device. This can help protect you from cybercriminals who try to exploit systems that haven’t been updated to the latest security protocols. It’s important to keep your operating system and other programs updated as soon as updates are available, because attacks can target vulnerabilities for months or even years after they’re fixed by the software vendor.
A software update can also refer to a patch or hotfix that is designed with urgency or released outside the normal operating system update cycle (such as a bug-fix release). Most modern systems can download and apply updates automatically, and network administrators use programs to simplify the update process for large groups of computers.
A software update can also refer to a major upgrade that moves an operating system to a different version. These changes can include changes to the user interface and other major features. Typically, upgrades are released less frequently than updates, and they may require more time to install because of their size.