Yes, when you create the ZIP only select the top folder - if you are using 7-Zip you can actually change the folder structure inside the ZIP the same way you would move folders on your computer!
I’m sorry… choose the top folder…? So just click on the whole thing and select "Send to compressed file (.zip)? Or it cannot be done right off the bat and third-party solution is absolutely necessary? I apologize for my stupidity, but I just don’t do that often, as you can clearly see 🤣 Also that "extra tier of folders" is only added if i try to RENAME the zip (for my convenience)