---
title: "How to Configure Update Preferences"
description: "As a dedicated server account owner, you can control almost everything on your server. One of the more important things you will need to monitor is the version of your cPanel and WHM software. This..."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/whm/configure-update-preferences/
date: 2016-06-16
modified: 2024-07-09
author: "Scott Mitchell"
categories: ["WebHost Manager (WHM)"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# How to Configure Update Preferences

![Configuring Update Preferences Hero Image](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Configuring-Update-Preferences-1024x538.jpg)

As a [dedicated server](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/dedicated-servers) account owner, you can control almost everything on your server. One of the more important things you will need to monitor is the version of your cPanel and WHM software. This article will discuss how to configure your server for update handling.

***Note:** You must have [root access](/support/amp/obtain-root-access/) to follow these directions.*

## Configuring Update Preferences

1. [Log into your WHM interface](/support/edu/whm/logging-into-whm/). 
2. [![](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/01-click-server-config.png)](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/01-click-server-config.png) Look at the left-hand side panel and click on the **Server Configuration** category. 
3. [![](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/02-click-update-preferences.png)](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/02-click-update-preferences.png) Then click the **Update Preferences** option. 
4. [![](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/03-cpanel-updates.png)](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/03-cpanel-updates.png) You are taken to the *Update Preferences* page. First, set your *cPanel & WHM Updates*.Release TierSelect the tier to upgrade the server to. It is recommended to use the ‘RELEASE’ option as it is stable for a production environment.Daily UpdatesSet to *Automatic*, *Manual*, or *Never*.Staging DirectoryThis is the directory that is used to store updates before they are applied. While you can change it, the default is *usr/local/cpanel*.Available PartitionsSelect a partition if there are more than one. The path is in the *Directory* text box. 
5. [![](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/04-os-packages.png)](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/04-os-packages.png) Set your *Operating System Package Updates*. This determines how you allow the nightly maintenance tasks to update your package files from the operating system distribution. From here you will see three options: *Automatic*, *Manual*, or *Never*. 
6. [![](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/05-spam-assassin.png)](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/05-spam-assassin.png) Set your *Apache SpamAssassin Rules Updates*. This defines how you want to update the SpamAssasin rules. From here you will see three options: *Automatic*, *Manual*, or *Never*. 
7. [![](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/06-click-save.png)](/support/images/stories/dedicated-hosting/update-preferences/06-click-save.png) Click the **Save** button to save your configuration. 

Now you know how to configure your updates within the WHM.