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kyle_acheson
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Double-Click to "expand" zipped folders on external SSD - error 513 - Golden Gate 27.2

When I double-click on a zipped folder stored on an external SSD (exFAT format) connected to my Macbook Pro M1 Max running Golden Gate 27.2 OS, I encounter the following error:


Unable to expand "[folder name]" into "[folder location]". (Error 513 - error 513.)


When I open the Archive Utility app and use the "Expand" function to target the same file, I am successfully able to expand the zipped folder in the SSD as usual. Double-clicking a zipped folder on my macbook hard drive also expands it as expected.


It appears that the "Double-Click to expand" function is broken on external drives. Right-clicking and using "Open With" to select Archive Utility is also broken and generates error 513.


I've granted Full Disk Access to Archive Utility in System Settings -> Privacy & Security -- no change.


Is this a bug? What is the next step to troubleshoot this method of expanding zipped folders?

Posted on Nov 4, 2026 8:00 AM

4 replies

What-ever80
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Nov 9, 2026 9:38 AM in response to kyle_acheson

I had the same issue, because I was trying to unzip it directly on my external drive.

When I download the zip folder directly on my desktop, then I was able to unzip it and transfered it back on my drive.

Hope it hleps.

etresoft
User level: Level 9 (60,836 points)

Nov 4, 2026 8:13 AM in response to kyle_acheson

kyle_acheson wrote:
Is this a bug?

Obviously.


What is the next step to troubleshoot this method of expanding zipped folders?

What do you mean "troubleshoot"? You've already identified the bug. Your work here is done. Don't use ExFAT.

etresoft
User level: Level 9 (60,836 points)

Nov 4, 2026 11:59 AM in response to kyle_acheson

kyle_acheson wrote:
Why do you suggest avoiding ExFAT?

Because it doesn't work. A while back, Apple rolled out a new "user space" disk driver toolkit. They used this new logic to (re)implement the exFAT and MS-DOS drivers. So now it doesn't work. Not much else to say really.


At this point, I often get into an unwanted debate regarding the nature and meaning of the word "supported". Most people assume it has a binary representation. That is, a given feature or technology either works in all configurations and for all usage, or it doesn't.


This is incorrect. It's always been incorrect. The technical term "supported" has a floating point, mathematical representation. So, yes macOS absolutely supports exFAT. But not in the way you want. Nor will it ever.


You can file feedback or bug reports if you want. You'll be wasting your time. Apple isn't advancing, it's falling apart at the seams. This will not be fixed.

kyle_acheson Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Nov 4, 2026 10:43 AM in response to etresoft

Thanks for the reply. Why do you suggest avoiding ExFAT?

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256388743