A .crdownload file is a download that Google Chrome hasn’t finished yet. You can’t really “open” it, because it only contains part of the file. To get the real file, finish the download: press Ctrl + J in Chrome to open Downloads, and click Resume or Retry. When the download completes, Chrome removes the .crdownload extension automatically and the file opens normally.
If the download can’t be resumed, the fix is to download it again. Below is how to tell what happened, how to resume or restart the download, and when it’s safe to delete .crdownload files.
What is a CRDOWNLOAD file?
While Chrome downloads a file, it saves the data as filename.ext.crdownload, like setup.exe.crdownload. When the download finishes, Chrome renames it to setup.exe. If you see a .crdownload file, the download is still in progress, paused, or failed. Microsoft Edge and other Chromium-based browsers use the same extension.
How to finish a CRDOWNLOAD download
- Open Chrome and press Ctrl + J, or type chrome://downloads in the address bar.
- Find the file in the list.
- Click Resume if it’s paused, or Retry if it failed.
- Wait until it says the download is complete, then click Show in folder or open it from the list.
Resuming only works if the website supports it and the download link hasn’t expired. If Retry starts from zero or fails again, download the file fresh from the original site.
Why downloads get stuck as CRDOWNLOAD
- Your internet connection dropped or your PC went to sleep.
- You closed Chrome before the download finished.
- The drive is full. Check free space in File Explorer.
- Antivirus is scanning or blocking the file. Check Windows Security’s protection history if a download keeps failing.
- The website’s link expired or the server stopped sending data.
Can I rename a CRDOWNLOAD file to open it?
You can remove the .crdownload extension (for example, rename video.mp4.crdownload to video.mp4), but the file will still be incomplete. A partial video or audio file may play up to the point where it stopped. Programs, ZIP files, and documents usually won’t open or will show errors. Don’t run incomplete installers.
To see file extensions, open File Explorer and click View, then check File name extensions (Windows 10) or Show > File name extensions (Windows 11).
Is it safe to delete CRDOWNLOAD files?
Yes, as long as the download isn’t still running. Cancel it in Chrome’s Downloads page first, then delete the .crdownload file from your Downloads folder. If Windows says the file is in use, close Chrome and try again.
Frequently asked questions
Where are CRDOWNLOAD files saved?
In the same folder as your normal downloads, usually Downloads. Check Chrome > Settings > Downloads for the location.
Why is my download taking so long?
Large files and slow connections take time. Try pausing other downloads and streaming, or use a wired connection.
Is a CRDOWNLOAD file a virus?
No. The extension itself is harmless. What matters is the file you’re downloading and where it came from.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.