What is Kext and How to Remove Kernel Extension on Mac?

kernel extensions (o Kexts) extend the Darwin kernel's core capabilities. Almost all of the time, such files don't need to be updated. However, if you're having issues, you may need to remove it on Mac with a couple of kexts.

But utilizing kexts on your Mac device is no longer recommended by Apple. To make matters worse, several kexts aren't supported by macOS Big Sur. To solve this, you'll learn how to remove Kext on Mac in this tutorial.

Contents: Part 1. What Are Kext Files on A Mac?Part 2. How Do I Remove Kexts from My Mac?Part 3. How Do I Disable Kexts on My Mac?Part 4. Conclusion

Part 1. What Are Kext Files on A Mac?

Kext files on a Mac are kernel extensions, which are essentially small pieces of code that extend the functionality of the macOS kernel. The kernel is the core of the operating system, and it manages system resources like memory, processing power, and hardware. Kexts allow macOS to support additional hardware or software features, similar to how drivers work on other systems.

Where Are The Kext Files Stored on a Mac?

Kext files are typically stored in the following directories:

• /System/Library/Extensions/
• /Library/Extensions/
• Some third-party apps may install their kext files here, but newer versions of macOS restrict this for security reasons.

Commonly, users have been encountering problems with Kext, such as having errors when making a temporary directory, failure in the allocation of memory, and unable to secure location. That is why some choose to uninstall Kext on Mac immediately and reinstall or change to another extension instead. The following parts will discuss how to remove Kext on Mac.

Part 2. How Do I Remove Kexts from My Mac?

For you to delete Kext on Mac, you can use Terminal for the straightforward process. Follow the instructions below to do so.

To see if the FileVault option is enabled or disabled. Go over to System Preferences, then Security & Privacy, to FileVault.

Remove Kext on Mac when FileVault is turned off

1. First, make a note of the kernel file's location. Then, while your Mac is restarting, hit the Command+R keyboard shortcut. An unusual starting window will appear — this would be the recovery mode.
2. Select Utilities, then Terminal from the menu bar.
3. Click Enter after typing the following command:

cd

[the path=”” of=”” the=”” kernel=”” fil=””][/the]

If the route name contains a space symbol, it should be replaced with a backslash symbol.

4. Then type the following command:

rm -rf

[extension name=””][/extension]

5. Restart your Mac.

Remove Kext on Mac when FileVault is turned on

When FileVault is activated on the Mac and the drive is encrypted, you won't be able to use Terminal in recovery mode to erase any kext files from the disk. In this instance, you'll need to stop SIP and manually erase a kext file:

1. Repeat again the first two stages stated above, then go over to the recovery mode and Terminal.
2. In Terminal, type the following command: csrutil disable

3. To turn off System Integrity Protection, press the Return button.
4. Restart your device as usual.
5. In Finder, locate the kext file and delete it.
6. Then turn on System Integrity Protection once more. To do so, reboot your Mac, press the Command+R key, launch Terminal, and run the command csrutil enable this time.
7. Reboot your Mac once again.

The kext file will then be totally erased when these procedures are completed.

Part 3. How Do I Disable Kexts on My Mac?

When you try to remove apps, you may get an error when deleting specific support files and directories. This occurs because certain apps, mainly antiviruses, can build kernel extensions to prevent themselves and perhaps some linked files from it being deleted.

Kext files were always frequently found in deep subfolders of the Extensions directory. If you attempt to move such an item to the Trash, you'll find that the removal function is ignored by Finder. It also is no longer allowed to be scanned by third-party software.

But with iMyMac PowerMyMac, you can remove other normal extensions in just a few minutes. It can scan extensions in your browser automatically and give you a preview of them. With this, it is easier to choose what extension you seldomly use and remove it to free up some space as well.

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Follow these steps to remove any unwanted extension on your Mac:

1. In the PowerMyMac application, choose Extensions.
2. Click the SCAN button to obtain a preview of the extensions you're looking for. Following that, you'll notice that plugins are organized into categories like Spotlight Plugins, Internet Plugins, and Preference Panes.
3. You may enable or disable the extensions by turning the buttons on and off.

What's special is that with PowerMyMac, besides managing extensions on your Mac, you can also use the various tools inside to uninstall software, clean cache and junk files, find duplicate or similar files to optimize and speed up your Mac!

Part 4. Conclusion

Kext, or other extensions, can sometimes cause errors, which becomes annoying and a nuisance for other users. So this article provides you with the necessary guideline on how to remove Kext on Mac manually and how to use the PowerMyMac app in removing other extensions.

With PowerMyMac, users will not have to worry since it will be a smooth flow, and it will not take much of your time as it only takes a few minutes for it to be done.