How to Open a Zip Archive on Mac

Are you tired of dealing with unnecessary hidden files and folders when opening zip archives on your Mac? Do you want to know how to easily exclude these files and save space on your device? Look no further! This article will guide you through the process of opening and extracting content from zip archives on your Mac, while also removing those pesky hidden files.

The Problem with Hidden Files

When creating new ZIP archives using the built-in Archive Utility on your Mac, it includes all hidden files and folders. This may not be a huge deal for smaller zip files, but when dealing with millions or billions of zip files downloaded every day, the wasted space can add up quickly. Not to mention that these hidden files are completely useless to non-Mac devices and users.

Why Are Hidden Files Added in the First Place?

The reason why macOS includes hidden files in zip archives is unclear. It seems counterintuitive, as these files serve no purpose other than to waste bandwidth, time, energy, resources, etc. Furthermore, when unzipping a file on a non-Mac machine, all hidden files and folders are included, which can be confusing.

How to Exclude Hidden Files

Fortunately, there is a way to exclude hidden files from zip archives without having to manually remove them. To do this, you can use the built-in Archive Utility on your Mac.

Method 1: Using Terminal

One way to exclude hidden files is by using Terminal. Simply type or paste the following command into Terminal:

`zip -r data.zip * -x '.*'`

This will create a new zip archive named `data.zip` that excludes all hidden files and folders.

Method 2: Using Archive Utility's Preferences

Another way to exclude hidden files is by accessing Archive Utility's preferences. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the folder that contains the files you want to zip.

2. Right-click (or control-click) on the folder and select 'Archive' or 'Compress'.

3. In the Archive Utility window, click on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner to access the menu.

4. Select 'Preferences'.

5. Under 'General', uncheck the box next to 'Include hidden files'.

Method 3: Using a Third-Party App

Alternatively, you can use a third-party app like YemuZip or a free alternative to compress and zip files without any hidden files.

Opening and extracting content from zip archives on your Mac is relatively straightforward. By following the methods outlined above, you can easily exclude hidden files and save space on your device. Remember to always be mindful of the size and content of your zip archives to ensure smooth and efficient downloading and sharing.

How to open a zip archive on mac