Okay, let's talk about something nobody *really* wants to talk about. Uninstalling stuff. Specifically, DisplayLink on a Mac.
I know, I know. Sounds simple, right? It never is.
The App Folder Illusion
First instinct? Drag that DisplayLink Manager icon to the trash from the Applications folder. Feels good, doesn't it? Like you're sticking it to the man.
Don't get too cocky. That's just step one. The uninstall gremlins are still lurking.
Digging Deeper
Now, for the actual work. Head to your Finder. Click "Go" in the menu bar. Then, hold down the Option key.
See that magical "Library" folder appear? Click it. It's like a secret level in a video game.
This is where things get interesting. And by interesting, I mean slightly tedious.
The Library Labyrinth
Prepare yourself. We're going hunting in these folders: Application Support, Caches, Logs, and Preferences.
Look for anything remotely related to DisplayLink. Folder names, file names… anything suspicious. Drag those suckers to the trash.
Be brave! But maybe double-check you're not deleting anything vital. Just a suggestion.
Kernel Extensions: The Final Boss
Almost there! But DisplayLink likes to hide itself deep within the system. We need to deal with kernel extensions.
Open Terminal. Don't panic! It's just a command prompt. Copy and paste these lines, one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
sudo kextunload /Library/Extensions/DisplayLinkDriver.kext
sudo rm -rf /Library/Extensions/DisplayLinkDriver.kext
You'll probably need your admin password. Type it carefully! Remember, the little dots aren't showing your password to the world.
Those commands force the extension to stop running, then remove it. Consider it digital pest control.
Reboot and Rejoice (Maybe)
The grand finale! Restart your Mac. Pray to the tech gods.
Hopefully, when it boots back up, all traces of DisplayLink are gone. If not? Well, Google is your friend. And maybe a strong cup of coffee.
Unpopular opinion: sometimes, it's just easier to throw the whole computer away and start fresh. Kidding! …Mostly.
A Word of Caution
Remember to always back up your Mac before attempting any major software changes. It's like wearing a seatbelt: better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Deleting the wrong files can cause problems. If you're unsure, ask for help from someone who knows their way around a Mac.
And finally, congratulations on (hopefully) banishing DisplayLink from your machine! Go celebrate with a well-deserved treat.
