How often should I perform a system update?
Once a day or would once a week be enough ?
What is the maximum time you should wait ?
Can and should the update process be automated ?
Is there an “update” script that can be run, for example, every Friday at the first start ?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should update Arch Linux. The frequency depends on your specific use case, system configuration, and personal comfort level with potential updates.
If you’re a private individual running a desktop at home behind a firewall, your likelihood of being targeted by an attack is low, and a less frequent update schedule (e.g., bi-monthly or monthly) might be suitable. I do not go past at least weekly.
If you’re running a server or have a high-risk setup, it’s recommended to update as soon as possible to minimize exposure to potential vulnerabilities.
In my house there are three installations of CachyOS (Server, Desktop, and a Steamdeck), and thus three update cadences. In all cases it’s “Update as needed”. When that is needed is, of course, different for each use case.
I update my Deck whenever there’s a possible performance increasing update to be had somewhere, in the kernel or mesa or what have you. I, of, course, use Handheld edition here.
I update my Desktop about once a week, on the weekend, when I have time to fix any issues that might arrise.
I update my Server once a week and also whenever there is a major update of the kernel or some monitoring software I knew. I also use Hardened kernel here. It’s not visible to the Internet tho, so I’m not as fastidious as you might otherwise be with a sever.
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One time I updated a Manjaro Stable that hadn’t been updated in 2 years and it updated just fine, don’t worry about it. Personally since I’m a gamer on an AMD 7 series card I update when a new MESA comes out cause you see slight improvements on that driver. If you don’t want to update it’s no big deal.
For me it’s like an addiction…I just log in to check if something dropped or not.
I also have LTS kernel installed…which is my fallback if something goes wrong and frankly my favourite.
Manjaro is notorious for holding back on updates, so you can take your time with this one too 
On my main desktop “The play around” machine I have apdatifier plasma widget enabled that checks for updates every couple of hours, if I see anything that interests me I sometimes research what’s being updated and then update accordingly. I prefer to update often on my play around machine so I can see what needs to be addressed before I update my other machines I have many arch based installs so it gives me troubleshooting time.
I also have snapshots in case something does go wrong.
Everything else I update usually once a week on a Friday after work.
I update at minimum twice a day. Always been a pacman addict.