Like any modern operating system, OS X has a built in application designed to help users keep their system up to date. Many people know where to find this option, but might not be aware of some of its less publicized options. One of these options let you download each of the updates to your desktop. This makes it easy to download the system updates on one computer, and then distribute them to other systems on your local network. It can save a great deal of download time no matter how fast your Internet connection is.

(For those who are not sure where to find the Software Update control panel, go under the Apple menu and select System Preferences. When the window pops up, click on Software Update.)

After bringing up the Software Update control panel, click the “Check Now” button. If updates are available, they will appear in a new window.

Now check the boxes beside each update you would like to download. After doing so, pull down the Update menu. You will see an option called “Download Checked Items to Desktop.” Simply choose this option and start your download. The updates will download in OS X’s package format and will be saved to your desktop where they can be installed at a later date.