Most of you might have seen CRDOWNLOAD files while downloading video, music files, document files, etc. They are temp files created by Chrome when you download a file. In fact, they are created by all Chromium-based browsers.
When the browser starts downloading a file, it first tags .crdownload file extension to the filename and removes it once the download is completed. This article discusses how crdownload files are different from other files and how to open it on your browser.
What is a CRDOWNLOAD file?
Crdownload file is a partial or incomplete file commonly known as Chrome partial download files. They are temporary files created during the download process, and they can be used as a regular file once the download is complete. In simple words, Chrome creates crdownload files during the download process and removes the attached crdownload file extension when the download is finished.
Crdownload means “Chromium download”. This file extension is specific to Chromium-based browsers like Google Chrome – and even Microsoft Edge Chromium now.
Related: Download is in progress says Chrome; But nothing is downloading.
How to open CRDOWNLOAD files?
Crdownload files are partial download files and they are of no use until your browser finishes the downloading process. To fully use these files, you need to resume the download process and delete the ones that are useless.
To open a Crdownload file:
- Launch your browser and go to the download page.
- Locate the files that have paused downloading.
- Resume the downloading process or start the fresh download again.
- If all the files you download are paused and have the crdownload file extension, it could mean there is an issue with your Chrome.
- In such a case, make sure that your internet connection is good and update your browser to the latest version.
You cannot see a crdownload while downloading a file in the browser. However, you can view them in the folder where you are saving the file. As mentioned earlier, crdownload files are incomplete files. If you see files with .crdownload extensions, it only means that Chrome is either still downloading the file or it suggests the download has been interrupted.
If the download has stopped, it is possible to use a part of the file by removing the crdownload extension from the file name.
For example, if there is an incomplete file named audiofile.mp3.crdownload, you can use a part of the sound file by removing .crdownload extension and renaming it as audiofile.mp3. You can now open and use the file in an mp3 player, although the download is still incomplete. Similarly, if you are downloading an AVI file, you can use a part of the sound file by removing .crdownload extension. You can then open and use the file to play video in a VLC player as long as your browser continues to download the file.
You can open and use crdownload files of audio and video only in the programs for which you are downloading. You cannot use documents, archives, images, etc in the crdownload extension. It is worth noting that you cannot convert a crdownload file to other formats like Avi, mp4, or pdf as they are incomplete files.
Sometimes, you may need to right-click on it, select Properties and choose to unblock the file.
That’s all.
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