Kernel Extension

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What the ‘Legacy System Extension’ Mac Message Means & What To Do About It

Aug 8, 2020 - 13 Comments
macOS legacy system extension warning

If you’re using a Mac running MacOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later (including Monterey and Big Sur), you might have seen a new and somewhat cryptic message pop up when your Mac is turned on, or when you use certain apps. Titled “Legacy System Extension”, the message goes on to note that “existing software on your … Read More

How to Load & Unload Kernel Extensions in Mac OS X

Jun 24, 2015 - 20 Comments
Loading and unloading kernel extensions in Mac OS X

Kernel extensions, called kext for short, are modules of code that are loaded directly into the kernel space of Mac OS X, able to run at a low-level to perform a variety of tasks. Most kexts are part of the core Mac OS X system software, typically hardware device drivers, but some third party apps … Read More

How to Completely Disable Audio & Sound in Mac OS X

May 30, 2012 - 11 Comments
Mute audio in Mac OS X

Whether you just like peace and quiet or you work in an environment that requires audio input and output to be disabled on a computer for security purposes, it’s fairly easy to accomplish in Mac OS X. We’ll cover how to handle turning off audio for both situations, the first uses mute for basic audio … Read More

How to Install Kernel Extensions in Mac OS X Manually

Jan 12, 2012 - 11 Comments
Kext files

Advanced Mac OS X users may find it useful to know that KEXT (kernel extensions) can be manually installed. The process of installing kexts manually into OS X is not too difficult if you’re comfortable with the command line, but it is a multi-step process of copying the appropriate .kext file to the appropriate kernel … Read More

Install KEXT Files Easily with Kext Drop

Jan 4, 2012 - 7 Comments
KEXT installer

Kext files are kernel extensions for Mac OS X, typically these are device drivers for hardware like the graphics card, wireless card, printers, etc. Most Mac users have no need to directly interact with .kext files, but for those who do, installing them can be annoying. Sure you can install .kext files manually by digging … Read More

List All Third Party Kernel Extensions in Mac OS X

Aug 3, 2010 - 7 Comments
Terminal

If you’re troubleshooting a Mac machine with some particularly odd issues that routine measures don’t seem to be resolving, it can be helpful to list what kernel extensions are activated, particularly third party kexts loaded in OS X. Determining what kernel extensions are loaded and running in Mac OS X is rather easy, and using … Read More

Anti-Piracy Message in Mac OS X Kernel Extension

Mar 19, 2010 - 6 Comments

Apple has hidden an anti-piracy message within Mac OS system software as a kernel extension. “com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X” is a kernel extension that runs within Mac OS X, it’s function is thought to insure that Mac OS X is running only on certified Apple hardware. And aside from the not-so-subtle name of the kernel extension, it includes … Read More

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