Apple releases OS X 10.6.3, Leopard Security updates

In the past few weeks Apple has increasingly updated their developer preview releases of the 10.6.3 update, indicating the release date was drawing near, and today have finally released it for the public. In addition to the client and server updates for Snow Leopard, Apple has also released a security update for OS X 10.5.8.

The OS X client update includes fixes for the following issues:

1. Reliability and compatibility of QuickTime X
2. Compatibility issues with OpenGL-based applications
3. Address an issue that causes background message colors to display incorrectly in Mail
4. Resolve an issue that prevented files with the # or & characters in their names from opening in Rosetta applications
5. Resolve an issue that prevented files from copying to Windows file servers
6. Improve performance of Logic Pro 9 and Main Stage 2 when running in 64-bit mode
7. Improve sleep and wake reliability when using Bonjour wake on demand address a color issue in iMovie with HD content
8. Improve printing reliability
9. Resolve issues with recurring events in iCal when connected to an Exchange server
10. Improve the reliability of third-party USB input devices
11. Fix glowing, stuck, or dark pixels when viewing video from the iMac (Late 2009) built-in iSight camera

In addition to these fixes, the server update includes a number of improvements with services and utilities specific to that platform. The list is relatively long, and can be found on the updater page.

The updates are available via Software Update, as well as standalone installers that can be downloaded as delta updaters (smaller files) or as combo updaters (larger file that includes all changes since 10.6.0).

OS X 10.6.3 Client Delta (719.23MB)

OS X 10.6.3 Client Combo (784MB)

OS X 10.6.3 Server Delta (831.31MB)

OS X 10.6.3 Server Combo (897.32MB)

Leopard Client Security Update 2010-002 (78.39MB)

Leopard Server Security Update 2010-002 (361.4MB)

The security updates for OS X 10.5 Leopard include the same fixes in the 10.6.3 update that pertain to Leopard. These include numerous core system services, networking services, and security features such as the firewall. As such, some applications and third-party utilities that depend on these may need to be reconfigured after the update, so be sure to check them out after updating. For the full list of fixes, click the link below.

Full list of addressed issues (10.6.3 Update and Leopard Security Update)

These updates are relatively large and cover a number of different services, so be sure you check all of your settings after updating to be sure they are working properly. Additionally, be sure to fully back up your system before installing these updates and take precautions to address known issues with your system before updating. We released a small article covering how to prepare for the update a couple of weeks ago, so take a look at it before updating (link below).

Preparing for the upcoming OS X 10.6.3 update

As always, we will be following the success and failure stories following this update, so if you choose to hold off on updating until others have tested the update (recommended) then be sure to check back for updates.

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