What is a .crdownload file?
A .crdownload file is a partially downloaded file that is created by Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Chromium browsers when you download a file from the internet. The file extension ".crdownload" stands for "Chrome Partial Download".
When you start downloading a file, Chrome creates a .crdownload file in your Downloads folder. This file contains the first few bytes of the file that have been downloaded so far. As more of the file is downloaded, it is added to the .crdownload file.
Once the entire file has been downloaded, Chrome renames the .crdownload file to the original file name with the correct file extension. For example, if you are downloading a file called "myfile.mp4", Chrome will rename the .crdownload file to "myfile.mp4" once the download is complete.
You can open a .crdownload file, but it will only contain the partial download. If you want to use the full file, you need to wait for it to finish downloading.
You can safely delete a .crdownload file if you are sure that the download is complete. If you are not sure, it is best to leave the file alone.
If you rename a .crdownload file, Chrome will not be able to recognize it as a partial download. This means that you will have to start the download from scratch.
Here are some additional things to know about .crdownload files:
- .crdownload files are only created by Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Chromium browsers.
- .crdownload files can be any file type, but they are most commonly used for video, audio, and image files.
- .crdownload files are temporary files and will be deleted automatically by Chrome once the download is complete.
- You can prevent .crdownload files from being created by disabling the "Continue downloads interrupted due to errors" setting in Chrome.
How do I open a .crdownload file?
CRDOWNLOAD files are not meant to be opened directly. They are temporary files created by Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge web browsers during the download process. Once the download is complete, the browser will remove the CRDOWNLOAD extension and rename the file with its original extension.
However, if a download is interrupted, you may be able to open the CRDOWNLOAD file by renaming it to remove the CRDOWNLOAD extension. For example, if you are trying to open a .mp4 video file that has the CRDOWNLOAD extension, you would rename the file to .mp4.
If you are unable to open the CRDOWNLOAD file even after renaming it, you may need to resume the download. To do this, open Chrome or Edge and go to the Downloads page. Locate the interrupted download and click the Resume button.
If you are still unable to open the CRDOWNLOAD file, it may be corrupt. In this case, you will need to delete the file and start the download again.
Here are the steps on how to open a CRDOWNLOAD file:
- Find the CRDOWNLOAD file in your downloads folder.
- Right-click the file and select "Rename".
- Remove the "CRDOWNLOAD" extension from the file name.
- Press Enter to save the changes.
- Try opening the file again.
If you are still unable to open the file, you can try the following:
- Resume the download.
- Delete the file and start the download again.
- Contact the website where you downloaded the file from for assistance.
How do I fix a .crdownload download error?
Here are some steps you can take to fix a .crdownload download error:
- Check your internet connection. If your internet connection is unstable or slow, it may cause the download to fail. Try restarting your router or modem, or connecting to a different network.
- Make sure you have enough disk space. The download file may not be able to complete if you don't have enough disk space on your computer. Free up some space by deleting old files or moving them to an external hard drive.
- Try downloading the file again. Sometimes, a simple retry is all it takes to fix a download error.
- Clear your browser's cache and cookies. Corrupted cache or cookies can sometimes interfere with downloads. To clear your cache and cookies, follow these steps:
- In Chrome, open the Settings menu and click Advanced.
- Scroll down to the Privacy and security section and click Clear browsing data.
- Select the Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files options, then click Clear data.
- Disable your antivirus or firewall. Antivirus or firewall software can sometimes block downloads. To temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall, follow the instructions in your software's documentation.
- Update your browser. Outdated browsers may not be compatible with certain file types. To update your browser, go to the browser's website and download the latest version.
Mistakes people make about .CRDOWNLOAD files
Here are some common mistakes people make about CRDOWNLOAD files:
- Thinking that CRDOWNLOAD files are viruses. CRDOWNLOAD files are not viruses. They are simply temporary files created by Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers when you download a file. These files are harmless and will be deleted automatically once the download is complete.
- Trying to open CRDOWNLOAD files with the wrong program. CRDOWNLOAD files are not meant to be opened directly. They are simply placeholders for files that are still being downloaded. If you try to open a CRDOWNLOAD file with a program that is not compatible with the file type, you may get an error message.
- Deleting CRDOWNLOAD files before the download is complete. If you delete a CRDOWNLOAD file before the download is complete, you will lose the progress that you have made on the download. If you want to resume the download, you will need to start over from the beginning.
Here are some tips for avoiding common mistakes with CRDOWNLOAD files:
- Don't worry about CRDOWNLOAD files. They are harmless and will be deleted automatically once the download is complete.
- Only open CRDOWNLOAD files with programs that are compatible with the file type. If you're not sure what file type the CRDOWNLOAD file is, you can usually find out by right-clicking on the file and selecting "Properties."
- Don't delete CRDOWNLOAD files before the download is complete. If you do, you will lose the progress that you have made on the download.
What file types can be downloaded as .crdownload files?
Any file type can be downloaded as a .crdownload file, but the most common file types are:
- Audio files: MP3, WAV, FLAC, etc.
- Video files: MP4, AVI, MKV, etc.
- Image files: JPG, PNG, GIF, etc.
- Document files: PDF, DOCX, XLSX, etc.
- Compressed files: ZIP, RAR, 7z, etc.
How long does a .crdownload file stay on my computer?
A .crdownload file will stay on your computer until the download is complete or until you delete it manually. The default setting in Chrome is to delete .crdownload files after 7 days, but you can change this setting in the browser's settings.
Is it safe to delete a .crdownload file?
Yes, it is safe to delete a .crdownload file if the download is complete. If the download is not complete, deleting the .crdownload file will cancel the download and you will lose any progress that you have made.
Can I use a .crdownload file without downloading it completely?
No, you cannot use a .crdownload file without downloading it completely. The file is incomplete and will not work until it is fully downloaded.
How can I prevent .crdownload files from being created?
You can prevent .crdownload files from being created by disabling the "Save downloaded files to a temporary folder" setting in Chrome's settings. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open Chrome and click the three dots in the top right corner of the window.
- Select "Settings."
- Scroll down to the "Downloads" section and uncheck the box next to "Save downloaded files to a temporary folder."
- Click "Save changes."
Once this setting is disabled, Chrome will download files directly to your computer without creating a temporary .crdownload file.