RIT
Systems and Technologies

Optimizing System Performance during software installation

Mac OS X runs a process to "optimize system performance" when you install software with the Apple Installer program. This process is also run when you use the Mac OS X Software Update.

In versions of Mac OS X before 10.3, each new installation ran a separate optimization process. This could noticeably increase the amount of time required to finish a software installation. According to Apple Knowledgebase article 25807, this has changed in Panther. Now, multiple updates run through the Software Update application will optimize once at the end. More than one package can be installed by the "Mac OS X Installer application" in one session; each time you try to run a new installation while one is already in progress, the Installer will queue them all up and do one optimization at the very end.

The optimization process, also known as "prebinding," is also handled automatically in the background by Panther during the normal operation of your computer.

Note: Since this prebinding step can make changes to files, some optional file management and/or security software, such as Radmind (software from University of Michigan that has been used to manage labs on campus), can detect the prebound programs as having been changed, which may trigger a security alert or (in the case of Radmind) result in those changed files being replaced by fresh copies. While this type of software is not run widely, as of this writing, at RIT, you need not be concerned.
Section: Maintain a Macintosh
Keywords: applications, file system, mac os x, security, system administration
Question: What is the "Optimizing System Performance" step I see during software installs or the Software Update process?
FAQ item: true
Score: 270