---
id: mac-storage-basics.why-do-i-have-both-a-zip-and-a-folder-in-downloads
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/why-do-i-have-both-a-zip-and-a-folder-in-downloads
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Browsers and everyday apps"
question: "Why do I have both a .zip file and a folder of the same name in Downloads?"
alt_questions:
  - "zip and folder duplicate downloads"
  - "safari unzips automatically"
  - "open safe files after downloading"
  - "duplicate download zip mac"
  - "delete zip after unzipping"
  - "downloads folder doubled"
short_answer: "Safari (or a double-click) unzips archives but keeps the .zip, so content is stored twice. Delete the .zip once the folder opens fine; you can turn off Safari's auto-open setting."
tags: ["downloads", "zip", "safari"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-stop-safari-keeping-a-download-list", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clean-up-my-downloads-folder"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why do I have both a .zip file and a folder of the same name in Downloads?

Safari's **Open "safe" files after downloading** setting (in **Safari → Settings → General**) unzips archives for you, and other apps or a double-click do the same. The original .zip usually stays, so the same content takes space twice.

Once you've checked the folder opened correctly, delete the .zip. Turning off that Safari setting means archives stay zipped until you open them, which some people prefer for keeping Downloads tidy. Repeated downloads also create copies named with "(1)", "(2)" — those can usually go too.