Kernel cache is what?

1. What is kernel cache?

2. Onyx gives option to delete it: why would one want to delete it?

I found this definition by searching the internet:

The kernel cache is a repository of prelinked kernels that OS X maintains to ensure that new changes do not harm the system. Every time a new kext is added, a new prelinked kernel is created and added to the repository, allowing the system to failsafe.

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You would want to delete it as it keeps adding to it as you open various applications. Deleting it (purging it, actually) could add performance to your system.

HINT: With Onyx, the developer has set it up with the default cleaning/maintenance functions being the "best" for the average user. That is the beauty of Onyx, just get it, leave it as it comes and run it once every 6 months or so. You don't need to run it more often than that unless you see issues. I run it once a year for myself, maybe more often if I need to get a menu item for a post and can't remember what it says.

With a hard drive - really depends on the user. i used it about once every 2-3 months only when I began to notice slow downs. My wife ran it once a year on her Macs.

With a SSD, I've never seen a need to open Onyx due to slow downs. My current system has probably gone about 14 months now without doing any cleaning other than in my browsers.

mattymac said:

2. Onyx gives option to delete it: why would one want to delete it?

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Anything on a computer can be deleted. Thus…just because it can be deleted…doesn't always mean it should be deleted. My recommendation is just use Onyx on the "Automated" settings. Of course you could explore what Onyx can do beyond the automated settings. But hopefully you have a reason or goal in mind. I think that the automated settings are all that is needed for the majority of users.

I just checked my version of Onyx…and it does not have deleting the kernel cache as part of the automated settings. I think that if deleting the kernel cache was useful…it would be part of the automated settings. I'm going to trust that the developers of Onyx know what they're doing.

- Nick

Thanks all!

Nick, it's under the Cleaning/System tab, and it does offer to "delete" it. That's in the ElCap version of Onyx.

MacInWin said:

Nick, it's under the Cleaning/System tab, and it does offer to "delete" it. That's in the ElCap version of Onyx.

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Thanks for pointing out where it is. I think that my advice to the OP was…it's not part of the automatic settings of Onyx (deleting the kernel cache). So I would generally advise not to adjust the Onyx default settings. Of course if someone learns that deleting the kernal cache will solve an issue…go for it.

- Nick

Ah, I misread your comment to be that you couldn't find it, not that you wouldn't recommend it. I'm with you on that, if it ain't checked, you don't really need to clean it. The Onyx developer knows what is best. ;D

MacInWin said:

Ah, I misread your comment to be that you couldn't find it, not that you wouldn't recommend it. I'm with you on that, if it ain't checked, you don't really need to clean it. The Onyx developer knows what is best. ;D

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No problems man. Onyx has so many other things it can do (beyond the auto-settings)…that it would be great to learn what benefits (or effects)…enabling one or more non-auto settings have/has on the system/computer.

- Nick