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Fix SharePoint ZIP Downloads Failing on Mac (Error 79)
Question details
Users are unable to successfully download multiple files from SharePoint on a Mac; the downloads result in incomplete ZIP archives or trigger a macOS Error 79 when using Safari or Chrome.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to download multiple files or entire folders from a SharePoint library simultaneously, which packages them into a ZIP file.
- Observed behavior
- The ZIP download fails prematurely, resulting in a corrupted archive. When attempting to extract the incomplete file, macOS throws Error 79.
Before modifying browser settings, verify that your Mac is connected to a stable network, as minor network drops can interrupt the server-side zipping process.
Disable Browser Extensions
Browser extensions, particularly ad-blockers and privacy shields, can interrupt SharePoint's network requests, leading to incomplete ZIP files.
Extensions interacting with network traffic can sometimes sever the active connection SharePoint needs to package and deliver large ZIP files. Temporarily disabling them helps isolate the problem.
In Chrome, click the three-dot menu > Extensions > Manage Extensions. In Safari, go to Safari in the menu bar > Settings > Extensions tab.
Toggle off all active extensions. Pay special attention to ad-blockers, tracking protection, and download manager extensions.
Close the browser completely, reopen it, log back into SharePoint, and attempt the multi-file download again.
Test with a New macOS User Profile
Creating a clean user profile determines if the download issue is caused by corrupted user-level system preferences or background applications.
Boot Mac in Safe Mode for Diagnostics
Safe Mode runs only essential software and clears system caches, helping to verify if third-party software is causing the Error 79.
Experience Hassle-Free Document Management with WPS Office
If SharePoint and Microsoft toolset glitches are slowing down your productivity on Mac, consider WPS Office as a robust alternative. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible environment for your document needs without the frequent syncing and downloading errors associated with heavy enterprise software.
- 1. Download the Mac version: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installer for macOS.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Edit your documents instantly: Launch WPS Office and directly open any existing Microsoft Office files—no conversion necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does macOS Error 79 mean when extracting a ZIP file?
macOS Error 79 typically indicates that the ZIP archive is corrupted or was not downloaded completely. When the Archive Utility attempts to expand it, it hits unexpected data gaps and fails, which frequently happens when a SharePoint ZIP download drops mid-way.
Can I download SharePoint files without them zipping?
Yes. If you download files individually instead of selecting multiple files at once, SharePoint will not attempt to compress them into a ZIP archive, which often bypasses these download errors entirely.
Does syncing with OneDrive prevent SharePoint download errors?
Yes. Instead of using the browser to download files, you can use the OneDrive app for Mac. Clicking 'Sync' in the SharePoint library allows the OneDrive client to securely handle file transfers in the background, circumventing browser-related ZIP failures.
