On October 24, 2022, Apple released its newest version of the Macintosh operating system, macOS 13 Ventura. This release includes a series of refinements to the macOS interface, an upgraded Mail app, and the replacement of System Preferences with System Settings. The initial version of Ventura also shipped with a substantial defect related to full disk access that seriously affected the functionality of various security-related software such as CrowdStrike, along with some other utility applications. A recent update to version 13.1 addressed this disk access bug.

Accordingly, macOS Ventura version 13.1 and above only is now cleared for general use by University constituents. This clearance gives Penn’s early macOS 13 adopters a path to more complete security and backup functionality and will support users with new systems that ship with macOS 13 pre-installed. macOS Ventura is now supported, while the previous macOS Monterey remains supported and recommended. Please refer to the Operating System Life Cycles charts for ISC's current support of and long-term guidance on operating systems.

ISC recommends that those with niche needs of untested apps or features continue to exercise caution in updating their macOS devices to Ventura. In particular, if full disk access is not enabled for security software such as CrowdStrike, it may not be able to quarantine malicious files, or terminate suspicious processes. Users of high-end audio, video, and 3D applications should also verify compatibility with their application vendors before upgrading.

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macOS 13 Ventura is compatible with most Macs made in 2017 or later, with a few notable exceptions: only 2018 and newer MacBook Airs and Mac minis are supported, while only 2019 and newer Mac Pros are compatible. Ventura is not currently pre-installed on most new Macintoshes, but that will change over the next few months.

Ars Technica's macOS reviews are extensive and detailed—the one on macOS 13 Ventura is here. The University's LinkedIn Learning entitlement offers macOS Ventura Essential Training.

My thanks go out to many across the University who assisted with evaluating and responding to the challenging Ventura release, including but not limited to Doug Cawley, JM Conway, Nate Cosgrove, Bob DeSilets, Brian Doherty, Gary Frenkel, Luke Hagendorf, Andre Harris, Ian Kelley, Brian Kravitz, Walt Mankowski, Warren Petrofsky, and Vern Yoneyama.