The Apple Software Library is a collection of updaters, utilities, and full software installs to help keep your Apple Products running smoothly. You can locate a particular software file by either searching our library, browsing the directories, or viewing a list of the most recent postings.

The Apple Support Webmasters have compiled the following list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) with detailed answers to assist customers who are not familiar with downloading software from the World Wide Web.

• Navigation Bar to Search, Browse, View Recent Changes, Access Basic Help - Searching for Software Updates
• Search screen with the option to limit your search by language and date range.
• Apple software update news - links to Product Pages
• Featured Apple software updates
• Link to this comprehensive Help Document
• Link to Software Licensing Information

Go to QuickTime Web Site for the most recent versions of QuickTime and QuickTime Product Information
Go to Developer Web Site
Go to AppleShare IP Web Site
Go to Apple Store to Purchase the latest Mac OS, AppleShare IP, AppleWorks, At Ease, Apple Network Assistant, ARA Client and Sorenson Video Software much more.

• Updaters: These are programs that update an existing piece of software already installed on your system. They require that you already have installed a full copy of the software that you wish to update to the latest version. The Read Me included with the updater will give specific information about what software versions it is capable of updating.
• Patches: Similar to updaters, these programs will either update a piece of software you already have installed or in some case they will update an installer file you already have.
• Beta Software: In some situations, Apple may release a "test" or beta version of software currently under development. This software is usually made available with the understanding that we do not offer support on its use and you are assuming responsibility for system difficulties you may encounter as a result of installing beta software. In many cases a method for providing feedback to our developers is available.
• Extensions

• Netscape Navigator - A web client from the Netscape Communications Corp .
• Microsoft Internet Explorer - A web client from Microsoft Corp.
• Fetch 2.1.2 or 3.0.3 - An application developed at Dartmouth College ; the most popular ftp client for Macintosh users. It automatically downloads and converts the binhexed files to the .sea file format.
• Anarchie - Anarchie is an ftp and Archie client. It lets you browse ftp sites, download files, or find them using an Archie server. It requires System 7 and MacTCP 1.1 or later. Anarchie lets you view any directory as a folder, making it a very Macintosh-like application.

What is an FTP site?

An ftp site is a server which has an Internet connection and uses the File Transfer Protocol (an agreed upon standard for transferring files using the TCP/IP protocol) to let you log on and download files. Servers can be Macintosh computers, MS-DOS machines, or UNIX based PCs or workstations. Limits, such as the number of users logged on, can be placed on an ftp site. Obviously, the more memory and processor speed a machine running as an ftp site has, the better able it is to handle more users, more file transfers, and so on.

There are currently a number of ftp sites maintained at Apple, most of which are located in Austin, Texas or Cupertino, California. Additional ftp servers are constantly added, especially during the early period of a new release which we expect to be a heavy demand on the download servers.

The ftp.info.apple.com site has a current capacity of several thousand concurrent ftp sessions - all served by 3 T-1s and an OC-3 connection. The ftp.apple.com site has a current capacity of approximately 1,000 concurrent ftp sessions. If you are interested in a more detailed tour Apple Support's Behind the Scenes webpages.


How do I choose the fastest/least busy download location?

The Software Updates Library is posted in its entirety to a variety of mirror locations throughout the world. All mirror sites contain the same software. Customers have the option to choose an individual FTP server for their download or they can take advantage of Apple's automated FTP load balancing system. To take advantage of the FTP load balancing system, point your favorite web browser to Apple's Software Updates via the World Wide Web system. This will allow you to search or browse the software archive and will automatically send you to the FTP mirror server that is the least busy.


How frequently are software updates posted to the archive and where can I find the specific details on when software is posted?

Apple does not have a schedule for releasing Software Updates. Software updates are immediately released for posting as soon as they become available. You can expect New Apple Software updates to be released at least once or twice per week.

You can obtain the latest information on where to find Apple Software Updates via the web or automated email. Listed below are the documents we currently have available, where to send the email message. To get this information using the web go to Recent Changes from the navigation bar on the Software Updates home page and bookmark the URL. You can also subscribe to the Information Alley, a Support Mail List that is generated when a software update is posted. For more information on this and other Support mail Lists please go to Support Options, Online Support, Support Mail Lists .


What are the ".EXE" files I see in some of the archives, like QT32.EXE?

The .EXE file suffix refers to a self-extracting MS DOS executable. Running the .EXE file will decompress the files onto a disk.


What are the ".ZIP" files I see in some of the archives, like the Apple LaserWriter Driver for Windows 95?

The .ZIP file suffix refers to a data compression format commonly used on DOS, and Microsoft Windows-based computers. Once you have downloaded the file in this format, a decompression program must be used to "UnZIP" the file. Programs such as PKWARE Inc. PKZIP, WinZIP, and others, can be used for this purpose.


What are the ".bin" files I see in some of the newer archives like the Mac OS 8.1 Update?

".bin" files are in MacBinary format which makes them 30% smaller making the download time quicker. Your web browser or ftp client must be configured to download MacBinary. If you are not sure if your client software supports MacBinary, click here to test your browser by downloading a 3K test file.


What are the ".smi" files I see in some of the newer archives like the Mac OS 8.1 Update?

The .smi file suffix refers to a Disk Copy 6 self-mounting image. This image type contains Disk Copy code. Therefore, once you have downloaded the update in this format and its related .part files, double click on the .smi image and all the required downloaded disks will be loaded into memory and a single install disk will appear on your desktop.


What are the ".part" files I see in some of the newer archives like the Mac OS 8.1 Update?

The .part file suffix refers to a Disk Copy 6 segmented file part. This image type is used in conjunction with a .smi file. Once you have downloaded an update with a .smi file and its related .part files, double click on the .smi image and all the required downloaded disks will be loaded into memory and a single install disk will appear on your desktop.


What is this new ".scr" file I see in some of the newer archives like Mac OS 7.6.1 Update?

The .scr file suffix refers to a Disk Copy DiskScript. A DiskScript is a special file containing commands that instruct Disk Copy 6.1.2 to perform an action on a list of disk images, and to optionally launch an application with or without a specific document. DiskScripts are not related to, and do not require AppleScript to run.


How do I search the Apple Software Library?

Language:
The Software Updates Database allows you to select the language of the software you are looking for.
Choose "English-North American" and you will find updates for the US and Canada, you will also find English-International and MultiCountry (ZM) options.
Choose " French" and you will also find French-Universal, French-Canadian and MultiCountry (ZM) options.
The MultiCountry (Z) files are searched on all languages. Choose "Italian" and you will find Italian and MultiCountry (ZM) Options.

Search Tips:
The Software Updates Database is easy to search. You do not need to know the exact name of the software you are trying to find. Use words or version numbers that describe the software update you are looking for as your key search words. To search for multiple words or version numbers, use the suggestions in the Basic Help section to refine your search.


How do I find the latest driver for my Apple printer?

The article Apple Printers: Printer drivers and Cables lists software type, version, and cable information for your Apple printer.


What is the difference between software I get from Apple Support sites and software I bought?

The Software Updates Library includes free updaters, utilities, beta software and in some cases full software packages from Apple. Apple Software that you buy are full shrinkwrapped software packages including manuals and documentation. AppleWorks previously known as ClarisWorks) and other Apple Software applications are available as a full shrinkwrapped package from the Apple Store .

For a more comprehensive explanation of Claris Software and support for these products please go to article number 26176: Support for Former Claris Software Products

Need more help? Please read Article 44000