This article explains what CRDOWNLOAD files are and how they’re different from normal files, how to know which program will likely open it, and what to do if you need to convert one.

What Is a CRDOWNLOAD File?

CRDOWNLOAD is a temporary file extension used by Google’s Chrome browser. Files with this extension, known as Chrome Partial Download files, indicate that the file isn’t fully downloaded.

How Are CRDOWNLOAD Files Used?

Partial downloads occur because the file is either still downloading in Chrome or the download process was interrupted, resulting in an incomplete file.

If the CRDOWNLOAD file extension appears because Chrome is actively downloading, it typically removes the “.crdownload” portion automatically once the download is complete.

A CRDOWNLOAD file is formatted as ..crdownload, or sometimes <#>.crdownload. For example, an MP3 download may be labeled soundfile.mp3.crdownload or Unconfirmed 1433.crdownload.

How to Open a CRDOWNLOAD File

CRDOWNLOAD files aren’t opened in a program because they’re essentially a byproduct of Google’s Chrome browser—produced but not used by the browser.

However, if a file download in Chrome is interrupted and stops, you might be able to use part of the file by renaming it. Remove “CRDOWNLOAD” from the file name to do this.

For instance, if a file is named soundfile.mp3.crdownload stops downloading, part of the audio file might still be playable if you rename it to soundfile.mp3.

Depending on the file’s download duration (such as a large video file), you can open the CRDOWNLOAD file with the intended program, even if the complete file isn’t saved to your computer.

For example, if you’re downloading an AVI file, you can use the VLC media player to open the CRDOWNLOAD file at any download stage—whether just started, halfway through, or nearly complete. VLC plays the downloaded portion, allowing you to start watching the video shortly after beginning the download, and it continues playing as Chrome keeps downloading.

This setup essentially feeds the video stream directly into VLC. However, since VLC doesn’t identify CRDOWNLOAD files as standard video or audio files, you need to drag and drop the CRDOWNLOAD into the open VLC program for it to work.

How to Convert a CRDOWNLOAD File

CRDOWNLOAD files are not in their final form, so they can’t be converted to another format. Whether you’re downloading a document, music file, video, etc., if the complete file isn’t present and the CRDOWNLOAD extension is appended, converting the incomplete file is useless.

Thus, there’s no way to convert a CRDOWNLOAD file to PDF, MP3, AVI, MP4, etc.

However, remember the earlier advice about changing the file extension to that of the original file type. Once the file is saved with the correct extension, you might be able to use a free file converter to change it to a different format.

For instance, if a partially downloaded MP3 file is usable, you might be able to use an audio file converter to save it in a new format. To do this, rename the *.MP3.CRDOWNLOAD file to *.MP3 (if it’s an MP3 file).

More Information on CRDOWNLOAD Files

During normal downloads in Chrome, the browser attaches the .CRDOWNLOAD extension to the filename, usually removing it automatically when the download completes. This means you shouldn’t need to manually remove the extension unless you’re trying to save part of the file as described above.

Chrome doesn’t display the .CRDOWNLOAD extension at the bottom of the screen during downloads. It shows the true file name and extension (e.g., ubuntu.iso, not ubuntu.iso.crdownload). You’ll only see the .CRDOWNLOAD appended if you’re viewing the file in the folder where it’s being saved.

A CRDOWNLOAD file’s size increases as more of it downloads. For instance, when downloading a large 10 GB video, it’s just a megabyte or two initially. As time passes and more of the file is saved by Chrome, its size increases to the full 10 GB when finished downloading.

Attempting to delete a CRDOWNLOAD file may prompt a File In Use message, like “The action can’t be completed because this file is open in Google Chrome.” This indicates the file is locked because it’s still downloading in Chrome. To fix this, cancel the download in Chrome (assuming you don’t want to finish it).

If every file you download has the .CRDOWNLOAD extension and none seem fully downloaded, it might indicate a problem or bug with your Chrome version. Ensure the browser is updated by downloading the latest version from Google’s website.

CRDOWNLOAD files are similar to incomplete or partial files used by other programs, like XXXXXX, BC!, DOWNLOAD, and XLX files. However, although these file extensions serve the same purpose, they cannot be interchanged and used as if they were the same file type.