Zip files are a popular way to make files smaller by using the .zip file extension. People use them to save space or make files small enough to send via email. When you unzip these files, they return to their original size and work as normal. However, there are common errors that can occur when unzipping these files.
This article discusses what causes error 79 on Mac while unzipping a zip file and four methods to fix the error.
Below we have discussed:
Also read: How to Easily Rip a DVD on a Mac?
What causes error 79?
There are various reasons that might cause error 79 while unzipping a zip file on Mac and they are explained below:
- Incomplete download or damaged zip file: The zip file might be incomplete or damaged. When you download it from a website, an unstable or weak internet connection might prevent the zip file from being fully or properly downloaded. Additionally, issues like system crashes, sudden power outages, unexpectedly closing the website where you’re downloading the zip file or other disruptions can interrupt the file compression process, resulting in damage to the zip file or its format.
- Permissions: It’s possible that you don’t have the necessary privilege to open and access certain files or folders within the zip file or its directory. Therefore, when you attempt to open the compressed file, you receive an alert stating that your operation is not permitted.
- The compressed file is too big: By default, the Archive Utility in macOS, which is responsible for extracting zip files, has a limitation on the size of files it can expand. If the zip file contains particularly large files, such as videos or audio, the Archive Utility may be unable to successfully expand the zip file on a Mac.
How to fix the error?
Below we have explained four ways to help you fix the issue:
Change the zip file permissions
If you’re unable to open a zip file because you don’t have permission to read or write, you can adjust the file’s permissions on your Mac before extracting it. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Right-click on the zip file and then in the dropdown menu click on Get Info.
Step 2: Click on the Lock icon at the bottom and enter the admin password to change the permissions.
Step 3: Select your Username available under the Sharing & Permissions section and then change the Privilege to Read & Write.
Decompress the zip file using the Terminal
Step 1: Open Finder, click the Applications option in the sidebar, and then click on the Utilities folder.
Step 2: Double-click on the Terminal.
Step 3: In the Terminal, type the command unzip filename.zip, and replace filename with the name of the zip file.
Unzip the file using third-party apps
If the methods mentioned earlier don’t resolve error 79 on your Mac, you can opt for a reliable third-party tool specifically crafted for unzipping files on Mac. These specialised decompression applications can handle various file formats without encountering operation restrictions. Some of them can even assist in repairing and extracting corrupted zip files on Mac.
Also read: How to rename a file on Mac?
