WhySlow
What is softwareupdated on Mac?
Checks for and downloads macOS updates.
Why is softwareupdated using so much CPU?
Busy while downloading or preparing an update.
Should you quit softwareupdated?
No. softwareupdated is part of macOS. Quitting it can break things, and macOS starts it again anyway. When it is busy, it usually finishes when the update is ready.
Is softwareupdated a virus?
No. softwareupdated is a genuine part of macOS, signed by Apple and stored in a protected system folder that apps can't change. Malware sometimes borrows familiar names, so if a process called softwareupdated lives outside /System or /usr, or you see it after installing something unusual, run a check with a trusted tool and keep macOS up to date.
How to check softwareupdated on your Mac
Open Activity Monitor (Applications › Utilities), choose the CPU tab and type softwareupdated in the search field. The % CPU column shows how busy it is: 100% means one full processor core. The Memory tab shows how much memory it uses. Activity Monitor shows numbers but doesn't say what they mean; WhySlow explains softwareupdated in plain English and only flags it when it is really slowing your Mac down.
What to do if softwareupdated stays busy
- Wait 10 to 15 minutes. Most macOS background work finishes on its own.
- If softwareupdated stays busy for more than a day, restart your Mac. That clears a stuck process safely.
- Keep macOS up to date: Apple fixes runaway background processes in updates.
How WhySlow helps with softwareupdated
- Shows how much CPU and memory softwareupdated is using right now, in plain English.
- Tells you when softwareupdated is the real cause of a slow Mac, and when it isn't.
Free to explain. $7 once for one-click fixes.