Can I open a .crdownload file directly?

No. It is an incomplete download with no usable content yet. Resume or restart the download so Chrome can finish it and rename it to the real file.

Is it safe to delete a .crdownload file?

Yes, if the download is dead or you no longer need it — you only lose the partial data. Never delete one that is still actively downloading.

Will renaming it to remove .crdownload fix it?

No. The file is only partially written, so renaming it produces a broken, unopenable file. You must resume or restart the download.

Which browsers make .crdownload files?

Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Brave and Opera. Firefox uses a .part file for the same purpose.

What Is a CRDOWNLOAD File?

Chrome left a .crdownload file in your Downloads folder and the real file never appeared. It is an unfinished download. Here is how to finish it, resume it, or safely remove one that is stuck.

What a CRDOWNLOAD file is

A .crdownload file is a partial, in-progress download created by Google Chrome and other Chromium browsers (Edge, Brave, Opera). While bytes are still arriving, Chrome writes them to a placeholder named after the real file with .crdownload tacked on — for example setup.exe.crdownload. When the download completes, Chrome renames it to setup.exe and the suffix disappears.

Why it is stuck

If a .crdownload file never turns into the finished file, the download stalled — the connection dropped, the browser was closed, or the tab was killed mid-transfer. The partial data is real but unusable until the rest arrives.

How to finish it

Open Chrome's downloads page (Ctrl+J, or Menu → Downloads). If the paused download is still listed, click Resume — Chrome continues writing into the same .crdownload file. If it is no longer listed, the safest fix is to start the download again from the original page; Chrome will create a fresh file.

Is it safe to delete?

Yes, once you have given up on that download. Deleting a .crdownload only discards the incomplete data — it cannot be opened or repaired into the real file on its own. Do not delete one that is actively downloading, or you will cancel it.

Can you open a CRDOWNLOAD file?

No. It has no usable content until the download finishes. Renaming it to remove the suffix will not work either, because the file is incomplete. Just resume or restart the download.