... I discovered that no longer can one acquire so-called manual downloads from Apple's website — such as precisely the items potentially required: 10.11.6 Combo Update and Security Update 2017-005 — which now requires direct access to the App Store, thus complicating the whole thing (given my internet access).
Urquhart's post #47409 includes links to both of those updates
directly from Apple...no App Store....
Indeed, those items are available for manual download as given by Urquhart — for which many thanks — I just didn't check that before heading to Apple's website, where everything directs to the App Store and no option is given for manual download of updates or even direction as to where such might be found. So, unless one knows about DL1885 and DL1945, it's a closely guarded 'secret'.
