Clean
Clean ZIP — Remove Hidden System Files
When you create a ZIP on a Mac or Windows computer, system metadata files are automatically included. These clutter the archive and can cause issues with upload portals and recipients. This tool finds and removes them, then rebuilds a clean ZIP.
Input formats
Output formats
Common uses
- Clean a ZIP before sending to a client
- Remove __MACOSX before uploading to a form or portal
- Prepare a ZIP for professional delivery
- Remove Thumbs.db before sharing with Mac users
- Clean up a ZIP downloaded from a Mac user
Limitations
- Only ZIP files are supported in the browser. For RAR or 7Z, convert to ZIP first.
- Custom hidden files not matching standard patterns must be removed manually.
Frequently asked questions
__MACOSX is a folder Apple's Archive Utility adds to ZIPs created on macOS. It stores Mac-specific resource forks and extended attributes. Windows and Linux users cannot use this data, so it is safe to remove.
.DS_Store files are macOS directory metadata files that track folder appearance settings. They are harmless but useless outside macOS and are safe to remove from ZIPs before sharing.
Thumbs.db is a Windows thumbnail cache file. It stores small preview images for folders. It is useless outside Windows and safe to remove.
No. Only system metadata files are removed. Your documents, images, code, and other files are untouched.
Yes. The tool shows checkboxes for each junk file category so you can control exactly what is removed.