From Finder, I clicked Macintosh HD from the sidebar and found a folder named System, except for the Applications folder, Library folder, and User folder. I wonder what the System Folder is in Macintosh HD. I expanded it, and there are several subfolders. Is it safe to delete them?
Like the Users folder on your Mac, the macOS System folder is an essential part of the operating system, holding key components necessary for your Mac to function properly. This folder contains important files and subfolders, which, if tampered with, could compromise your system’s stability.
The System folder in Macintosh HD is a critical part of macOS, containing essential system files and resources for the operating system to function. It includes files related to macOS’s core components, such as drivers, system libraries, and frameworks. The operating system tightly protects this folder to prevent accidental or unauthorized modifications, as changes can lead to system instability or malfunction. You can find there is no Delete option when you right-click on System folder and the subfolders within it.
In recent macOS versions, the System folder is on a read-only partition, meaning it’s separate from your user files and applications, ensuring its integrity and security. This structure is part of macOS’s efforts to enhance the system’s protection by isolating crucial files from user-level changes.
The System folder is vital to the integrity, stability, and functionality of macOS. Any alteration, deletion, or corruption of its contents can cause severe issues, including preventing the system from booting. Because of its importance, macOS protects this folder heavily to prevent any unauthorized access or modifications.
To access it, you can open Finder and select Macintosh HD from the sidebar, or use the Go to Folder and type type /System to open it.
Within the System folder in Macintosh HD, you’ll find several subfolders that are essential for macOS’s functionality. Here are the main subfolders:
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Applications: Contains built-in macOS applications like Terminal, Safari, and other system utilities that are essential for macOS’s operation.
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Cryptexes: This is part of Apple’s security and system integrity architecture. Introduced in macOS versions like Monterey and later, the Cryptexes folder is used to store and manage cryptographic extensions (cryptexes). These are specially packaged components that contain system resources, drivers, or binaries that macOS can load or execute securely and in isolation.
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Library: Stores system-wide resources such as frameworks, extensions, fonts, and other components that support macOS and its applications. This is different from the user-level Library folder, as it is specific to the system itself.
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Developer: This is a directory used primarily for development tools and resources, especially when Xcode and other Apple developer tools are installed. It contains libraries, frameworks, and command-line tools that developers use for building, testing, and deploying macOS and iOS applications.
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DriveKit：It keeps components and libraries that support macOS’s DriveKit framework, a framework introduced by Apple to allow developers to create macOS extensions that manage external storage devices. It provides APIs for managing disk mounting, monitoring device status, and interacting with file systems and volumes in a more controlled and secure way compared to traditional kernel extensions (kexts).
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IOSupport: Contains drivers, support files, and other resources that allow macOS to interact with hardware devices and peripherals. It is part of the I/O Kit, a macOS framework responsible for hardware abstraction and communication between the operating system and hardware components like USB devices, storage controllers, and network interfaces.
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Volumes: This directory is where macOS manages mounted volumes like external drives and network volumes, though it is more commonly used at the root level.
These subfolders contain files that are crucial for macOS’s operation, and Apple keeps them protected and read-only in newer versions to enhance system security. Modifying or deleting these files is not recommended, as it may lead to system instability or failure.