Downloaded SharePoint Folder Cannot be Unzipped

Summary

What to do when a Downloaded SharePoint Folder will not unzip.

Body

Issue/Question

Error: Windows cannot open the folder. The Compressed (zipped) Folder is invalid

Folder has been downloaded from SharePoint as a .zip file but cannot be unzipped

Environment

  • SharePoint
  • Windows

Cause

Character limit for file path exceeds 260

Invalid characters such as < >? : " / \ | ? * are in file name

Resolution

  1. Use a Third-Party Extractor such as 7zip 
  2. Rename the file(s) or folder(s) in SharePoint to remove invalid characters and shorten length
  3. If it still cannot be unzipped, sync the Folder to OneDrive
    1. From SharePoint, click  in the top right corner of the page
    2. Click Sync
    3. Click Open Microsoft OneDrive
    4. Click Close
    5. Click Add shortcut to OneDrive
    6. Folder may take several minutes before it appears in your OneDrive Folder

Details

Details

Article ID: 10293
Created
Wed 6/3/26 12:09 PM
Modified
Tue 11/3/26 2:47 PM
KCS Article Status
WIP: Only Problem & some Environment captured
Not Validated: Complete & Resolution captured, confidence lacks in structure, content, no feedback
Validated: Complete & reusable, used by licensed KCS user, confidence in resolution & std. compliance
Validated

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