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Safari unzips .zip and .gz files after downloading. How can I stop this behavior?

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4 Answers 4

Reset to default
83

In the menu bar, go Safari -> Preferences. In the "General" tab, uncheck "Open 'safe' files after downloading". This will stop Safari from automatically unzipping the files.

Safari Settings, General tab

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    don't know since when it is the case, but for me and a fresh mojave installation the checkbox did not appear. i first had to activate developer options under Advanced > Show Develop menu in menu bar. Afterwards more options appeared on the general tab.
    – isaias-b
    Apr 7, 2019 at 12:06
  • This is a workaround with side effect: all opening of files after download becomes disabled. A full solution without side effects given by @redochka: hold ⌥ alt when clicking to download. See apple.stackexchange.com/a/115634/330523
    – Cornelius Roemer
    Oct 23, 2022 at 15:01
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Just hold the ⌥ alt button while clicking on the download links.

Tested on OS X Mavericks, Big Sur, Monterey. Still works in October 2022.

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    Still works fine in Yosemite, and is a useful "I only want to do this occasionally" option.
    – Matt Gibson
    Jan 18, 2016 at 10:37
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    Still works on Big Sur (Intel)
    – ThorstenC
    Jul 21, 2021 at 10:16
  • Still works on Monterey 12.6 (ARM) as well in October 2022
    – Cornelius Roemer
    Oct 23, 2022 at 15:03
  • Still works on Ventura 13.1 in Mach 2023
    – Xaver
    Mar 5 at 15:18
2

In Preferences, at the bottom of the General tab, uncheck the "Open "safe" files after downloading" check box.

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1

Check out this article if you want to keep the "Safe Downloads" behavior but tweak it a little.

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1
  • Please provide a full answer, do not just link out. This goes against Stackexchange policies.
    – Cornelius Roemer
    Oct 23, 2022 at 15:02

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