How to Disable macOS High Sierra Upgrade Notifications Without Launching an App

When upgrading your macOS High Sierra to the latest version, users often encounter notifications that typically provide options like Upgrade or Learn More, which both lead to the App Store. However, in some situations, the desire to dismiss these notifications without launching any application becomes a necessity. This guide will detail how to disable upgrade notifications in macOS High Sierra without needing to open any app.

Understanding the Notification Behavior

macOS High Sierra, version 10.13, is a widely used operating system. It provides users with regular update notifications to stay secure and benefit from the latest features. Sometimes, these notifications can be intrusive. Whether it's a system update or a software upgrade, the default behavior is to notify users and direct them to the App Store to make the decision.

Disabling Upgrade Notifications

To effectively manage your upgrade notifications and prevent them from opening the App Store on click, follow these steps:

Open System Preferences. This can be done by clicking on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting SystemPreferences. Select App Store. From the System Preferences window, choose the App Store icon to open its settings. Uncheck Download newly available updates in the background. This will prevent macOS from automatically downloading and potentially installing updates in the background, without your knowledge or consent. Ensure Install app updates and Install macOS updates are unchecked. These options ensure that you are not prompted to install any updates through these notifications. Make sure Install system data files and security updates is checked. This setting allows macOS to install critical updates and data files, ensuring your system remains secure and up-to-date.

Further Control and Maintenance

After completing the steps to disable the notifications, your user experience should be more seamless and less interrupted by the App Store. However, it's important to periodically check for updates manually through the App Store application to ensure your system is fully up to date.

Regular updates: While you have disabled the automatic notifications, it's still a good practice to check the App Store periodically for updates. This ensures that your system remains secure and that you can take advantage of new features when available.

Conclusion

By following these instructions, you can effectively manage your macOS High Sierra upgrade notifications without having to launch the App Store. This provides a cleaner and less disruptive user experience while still ensuring that your system stays secure and updated.