July 30, 2008 12:01 AM PDT

Set Apple Software Update to ignore Safari

I use Apple's Safari browser on my iPhone but don't have much use for it on my Windows PCs. I do run iTunes and QuickTime on the Windows systems, so every time there's an update for one of those apps, I'm prompted to download Safari.

A quick tweak of the Apple Software Update utility makes the Safari prompts history.

Open the Apple Software Update application via its shortcut on the Start menu. To set the updater to stop nagging you about Safari, check the browser's option in the main window, and click Tools > Ignore Selected Updates. Then click Quit.

Apple Software Update settings

Set the Apple Software Update utility to ignore the Safari browser.

(Credit: Apple)

Alternatively, you can change how frequently the program checks for updates or stop it from checking automatically. Click Edit > Preferences and choose Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Never. When you're done, click OK and Quit.

Apple Software Update Schedule dialog box

Change how frequently Apple Software Update checks for updates, or set it not to check at all.

(Credit: Apple)

Now you'll get the Apple updates you need on your schedule without having to uncheck options for programs you don't want.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 11 comments
by MadLyb July 30, 2008 4:58 AM PDT
Better yet, don't run the Updater on your machine.
First, it was iTunes (which I no desire for) with Quicktime (which I do), and now it is a constant push to bundle their whole portfolio. Google is doing something similar with their updater and Adobe has done it for years, so I am getting to the point where the hassle far outweighs the convenience and returning to manual updates.
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by thelemurking July 30, 2008 5:01 AM PDT
It's amazing how convoluted iTunes is now. I install it, I get iTunes, QuickTime, it tries to trick me into Safari, it adds AppleMobileDevices + service, iPod service, iTunes Helper service, Bonjour and so on... Do I really need all of that crap just to transfer music?

Is Apple so hard up for browser market share that they feel the need to try and trick unsuspecting iTunes users into installing their browser?

If Apple users installed say MS Word for OSX and then one day an update came down for Word that tried to install IE for OSX, they would be up at arms claiming that MS is using their monopoly to force software on to people.

What's the difference? Essentially iTunes is the monopoly of digital music, so what they are doing is flat out wrong. Why even put Safari as pre-checked in the iTunes software updater when I don't even have Safari installed. Now that's a bad apple to leave a sour taste in your mouth.
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by thelemurking July 30, 2008 6:17 AM PDT
It's the same f'n thing... it installs with iTunes to update iTunes which is the only thing I fracking need to copy songs to my iPod.

point is I shouldn't have to uncheck it because I don't have it... I don't want Apple trying to send me programs I don't want or have installed.

but I like you how failed addressed all the other crap that is installed with iTunes just to copy a damn song to an iPod. you're only point was that I called it an iTunes updater... heavens to megatroids! the audacity of me to misname an Apple product. Hope Steve Jobs doesn't call out his hit squad on me.
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by mike.loux July 30, 2008 8:52 AM PDT
I'm with thelemurking. It got so bad that I took it a step further, removed iTunes and pretty much all Apple software from my PC, and installed the iPod plugin for WinAmp (not the one that comes with Winamp, which is rather limited).

I especially took exception to the one-ipod-one-computer sync rule. I use a laptop and a desktop at home and a desktop at work. They all have different music libraries and iTunes didn't want to play ball, so screw it.

I have one word for 4wight:

decaf.

:-)
Reply to this comment
by Riquez-001 July 30, 2008 4:16 PM PDT
"I especially took exception to the one-ipod-one-computer sync rule"

Then you missed the concept of sync - it doesnt make sense to sync with 2 computers.

The sync feature is the quick & easy option for people who dont want to bother manually updating or organising their music. It mirrors the exact music content from your computer to the ipod.
So if you were to sync with another computer you would effectively be asking it to replace all the current music with the music on computer 2.

In the situation where you have different music at home & work you should not use sync. Set your iPod to Manually manage music & then just drag all the music at work onto the iPod.

There are several benefits to this. A) you get to be precise on exactly what music you want where, B) you can play music on your iPod through any computer with iTunes
Reply to this comment
by MCOjerry July 30, 2008 4:32 PM PDT
Go buy a Zune if you are so unhappy with iTunes and the extreme energy it takes to uncheck a box or two.
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by drukenhard July 30, 2008 5:44 PM PDT
I suppose all of the people who are being offered free, good quality apple software forget about the trash they probably had on their PCs when they got them, or the huge amount of crap that windows accumulates (seemingly by itself) when on the net and trying to get drivers for things?

Apple is only trying to show people why they should have bought a mac in the first place.

Don't you know that every time you mention apple, the trolls come out?

I'm off to the apple store, just for a look around......I already waited an hour and got my iPhone no problems.

(I wont go into the problems I had with a mobile dealer on the launch date, and the following week)
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About Workers' Edge

Dennis O'Reilly has covered PCs and other technologies in print and online since 1985. Along with more than a decade as editor for Ziff-Davis's Computer Select, Dennis edited PC World's award-winning Here's How section for more than seven years. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET.

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