Where to find the automatic installation setting

On a MacBook Air 2017, automatic app installation happens through the App Store. The setting lives in System Preferences, not in the App Store app itself. Open System Preferences (the gear icon in your dock), then click App Store. You will see a checkbox labeled "Automatically install app updates" — unchecking this box stops macOS from downloading and installing updates without asking you first.

This setting controls updates to apps you already have, not new app downloads. If you want to prevent macOS itself from updating automatically as well, that is a separate setting in the same App Store preferences pane, labeled "Install system data files and security updates".

Key Takeaways

  • The automatic installation setting is in System Preferences under App Store, not in the App Store process itself.
  • Unchecking "Automatically install app updates" stops your Mac from downloading and installing app updates without your permission.
  • System updates and security patches have their own separate checkbox if you want to control those independently.
  • After you uncheck the setting, your Mac will notify you when updates are available instead of installing them in the background.

What happens after you turn it off

Once you uncheck automatic installation, your Mac will still notify you when updates are ready. You will see a notification in the App Store app or in System Preferences, depending on the type of update. For app updates, you can then choose to install them when ready, delay them, or ignore them entirely.

Security updates work differently — even with automatic installation turned off, your Mac may still prompt you to restart for critical security patches. This is intentional: Apple prioritizes security fixes over user convenience. You can delay the restart, but you cannot permanently skip a security update.

Why you might want automatic installation off

Automatic installation can interrupt your work. An app update might restart the process you are using, losing unsaved work or closing your browser tabs. On a 2017 MacBook Air with limited storage, automatic downloads can fill your drive quickly if multiple large apps update at once.

Turning off automatic installation gives you control over when your Mac downloads and installs updates. You can choose to update apps during lunch or at the end of the day, rather than having your Mac do it while you are in the middle of something important.

Checking for updates manually

After you disable automatic installation, you can still update your apps whenever you want. Open the App Store app, click the Updates tab at the top, and you will see a list of available updates. Click Update next to any app, or click Update All to install everything at once.

For system updates and security patches, go back to System Preferences, click App Store, and look for a button labeled Check Now. This will search for any macOS updates you have not yet installed.

The difference between app updates and system updates

App updates are changes to individual programs like Safari, Mail, or third-party apps you downloaded. System updates are changes to macOS itself — the operating system that runs your entire Mac. On your 2017 MacBook Air, the highest version you can run is macOS Big Sur (version 11), so you will not be offered anything newer than that.

The App Store preferences pane controls both types, but with separate checkboxes. You can turn off automatic app updates but keep automatic security patches on, or vice versa. Most people choose to keep security patches automatic because they fix vulnerabilities that could affect your privacy or data.

If you cannot find the setting

On very old versions of macOS, the automatic installation setting may be in a different location or named differently. If you are running an older version of the operating system on your 2017 MacBook Air, try opening the Mac App Store app directly (not System Preferences), then look for preferences or settings within the app itself.

You can check which version of macOS you are running by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting About This Mac. The version number appears under "System Version". If you are running anything older than Sierra (10.12), the App Store settings may be organized differently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off automatic installation break my Mac?

No. Your Mac will continue to work normally. You will straightforward need to install updates yourself instead of having them happen automatically. You can still install updates whenever you choose.

Can I turn automatic installation back on later?

Yes. Go back to System Preferences, click App Store, and check the box again. Your Mac will resume downloading and installing updates automatically.

What if I turn off automatic installation but forget to update my apps?

Your Mac will keep reminding you through notifications. Apps will continue to work even if they are outdated, though you may miss bug fixes or new features. Security updates are more important — try to install those within a few weeks of release.

Do I need to restart my Mac after turning off automatic installation?

No. The setting takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart or do anything else.

Will this setting affect apps I downloaded outside the App Store?

No. This setting only controls apps installed through the App Store. Apps you downloaded directly from a developer's website or installed another way have their own update mechanisms, which you would need to control separately within each app.