Kernel extension

Kernel extensions, also known as "kexts" or "legacy system extensions", are a deprecated method of modifying the kernel of Mac OS X to add low-level functionality. These are referred to as "s" in some other operating systems.
==Description==
Kexts filled the role of extensions previously used in classic Mac OS, but with greater stability under the Unix-based architecture of Mac OS X. After startup, problematic processes can be viewed and sometimes quit through the Activity Monitor utility.What to Look for in the Macintosh Extensions Folder by Fred Geoola, Cuyamaca College 2006-07-22.Apple deprecating macOS kernel extensions (KEXTs) is a great win for security, by Catalin Cimpanu, ZDNet. 2020-02-07.
===Deprecation and replacement===
Kexts were later deemed to be a security risk without a straighforward graphical user interface to manage them. The Extensions pane was introduced in OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) in 2014 to help manage these extensions. Starting with macOS High Sierra (10.13) in 2017, installation of kexts was limited to users with administrator privileges, though this did not affect pre-existing kexts during an upgrade.Technical Note TN2459: User-Approved Kernel Extension Loading, Apple Developer. 2018-04-19.
Apple introduced system extensions in macOS Catalina (10.15) in 2019 as a more secure alternative that would only operate in . The Extensions pane can be used to manage both the modern system extensions as well as the legacy kexts. Starting in macOS 10.15.4, the continued use of kernel extensions would trigger a warning to the user. Support for kexts would start being phased out in macOS Big Sur except for Apple-approved enterprise developers.Enterprise management of legacy system extensions in macOS Big Sur, Apple Support. 2020-12-08. Any legacy kexts still installed would require user approval to be loaded upon every startup.Kernel extensions in macOS, Apple Support. 2020-12-14.
==References==
==External links==
*Kernel extensions in macOS at Apple Support (2020-12-14)
**About system extensions and macOS (2020-11-20)
**Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac (2017-08-17)
**Kernel Extensions at Apple Developer
***Kernel Extension Overview
***Installing a Custom Kernel Extension
***Implementing Drivers, System Extensions, and Kexts
***Introduction to Network Kernel Extensions Programming Guide
***Deprecated Kernel Extensions and System Extension Alternatives
* at Wikipedia
Category:Mac OS X
Category:OS X
Category:Terms