I would recommend you skip those methods and use the Google Drive one that I explained above. Many sites on the internet ask you to buy software or use complicated Terminal steps to create ZIP files without the unwanted _MACOSX folder. If you are on Android, long-press the _MACOSX folder and tap Delete. To delete the _MACOSX folder, right-click on it and move it to the Recycle Bin. You are just getting rid of the unnecessary folder, which is of a different platform. You still have all the original content of the ZIP file. So, if you have such a ZIP file, feel free to delete the _MACOSX folder. When you double-click or tap to open one of them, it fails as no app on your phone or PC is designed to open or view macOS system files. The file names inside _MACOSX folder usually start with a dot (.). However, if you transfer the same ZIP file to a Windows PC or Android and unzip it there, the _MACOSX folder will be visible. Since _MACOSX is a macOS system folder, on Mac, it does not show up and stays hidden after you unzip the ZIP file.

So, no need for the unnecessary macOS system folder. It is because the ZIP file was created by Google Drive and not your MacBook’s macOS operating system. This ZIP file will not have the _MACOSX folder. Select files and download it as a ZIP file without the unnecessary MACOSX folder.

Open Google Drive in Chrome, Safari, or any browser on your Mac. How to create ZIP file without _MACOSX folder on Macġ. In this quick guide, let me show you a proven and easy method to create ZIP files on Mac without the unnecessary and hidden _MACOSX folder inside it. It isn’t a computer virus but just a system folder of another operating system (macOS) that has no use on your operating system (Windows or Android). Many believe the _MACOSX folder has viruses as the files inside it look like original files but do not open.

So, if you use a Mac to create ZIP files for Windows and Android users, you may want to know how to do that without this _MACOSX folder. On Windows PC and Android, it is of no use. This folder has essentials that may be required for macOS (earlier OS X) operating system. In easy terms, _MACOSX is a hidden system folder that your Mac makes when creating ZIP files. But when you click to open them, they fail to open in any app. It can be confusing and cause problems as it has all the file names appearing as actual files. However, when this ZIP file is unzipped on Windows or Android, there is an additional _MACOSX folder. If you unzip this file on Mac, it has the original files. Whenever you select files on your Mac, right-click and choose Compress items, you create a ZIP file.

How to zip a folder on mac