Centrify

Tips for finding Knowledge Articles

  • - Enter just a few key words related to your question or problem
  • - Add Key words to refine your search as necessary
  • - Do not use punctuation
  • - Search is not case sensitive
  • - Avoid non-descriptive filler words like "how", "the", "what", etc.
  • - If you do not find what you are looking for the first time,reduce the number of key words you enter and try searching again.
  • - Minimum supported Internet Explorer version is IE9
Home  >
article

KB-4042: How to toggle the Automatic Updates option in OS X via Group Policy

Mac & PC Management Service ,  

20 June,17 at 06:47 PM

Applies to: Centrify DirectControl for Mac OS X 10.7 and higher

Question:

Since there is no more group policy to configure the Apple automatic update option in the System Preferences > App Store panel of OS X. 

Is there a way to toggle this via GP?


Answer:

Automatic updates in OS X can be enabled or disabled via command line; for example to disable automatic updates, the following command can be used:
 
sudo /usr/sbin/softwareupdate --schedule off

To enable automatic updates, use this instead:
 
sudo /usr/sbin/softwareupdate --schedule on


To push these commands out via group policy, use the GP at:
 
Computer Configuration / Centrify Settings / Common UNIX Settings / "Specify commands to run"

(The "centrify_unix_settings.xml" template needs to be imported into the GPO to be able to see this GP)


Note: To see additional update options and usage syntax, see the help file in:
 
/usr/sbin/softwareupdate --help

or use the below workaround:

1. Use to the Group Policy "Computer Configuration > Policies > Centrify Settings > Common UNIX Settings > Specify commands to run"
2. Add the below commands for the desired settings to enable. No need to add sudo.
 
Automatically check for updates
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticCheckEnabled -bool TRUE
 
Download newly available updates in the background
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticDownload -bool TRUE
 
Install app updates
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.commerce AutoUpdate -bool TRUE
 
Install OS X updates
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.commerce AutoUpdateRestartRequired -bool TRUE
 
Install system data files and security updates
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ConfigDataInstall -bool TRUE
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CriticalUpdateInstall -bool TRUE

See also:

Still have questions? Click here to log a technical support case, or collaborate with your peers in Centrify's Online Community.

Related Articles

 articleKB-2999: The policy "Automatically check for software updates" does not work as expected articleKB-6056: How to report the group policy settings that are in effect for the local computer? articleKB-5765: How to block OS X updates via Group Policy articleKB-6041: How to show current license type in use by adclient articleKB-6040: How to change the license type in use after adclient successful joined to the AD? articleKB-6038: How to specify the license type to use when joining the server to AD using adjoin? articleKB-6073: How to join the Linux/Unix Centrify Server to Active Directory with specific Computer Role? articleKB-3925: How to add Centrify parameter to a group policy articleKB-6050: How to configure a group for automatic Kerberos Credentials for infinite renewal?