How to Open a .crdownload File (and Play a Partial Download)

How to Open a .crdownload File

A <code>.crdownload</code> file is a <strong>partial, unfinished</strong> download from Chrome — it isn't a real file type you can open normally yet. The clean fix is to <strong>resume and finish the download</strong>, after which Chrome renames it to the real file automatically. If you only want to peek at what's downloaded so far, a video/audio partial can sometimes play in VLC. Here's how.

Filename or extension

Category

Safe to delete?

Opens with

The real fix: finish the download

Press Ctrl+J (Cmd+J on Mac) to open Chrome Downloads.
Find the interrupted item and click Resume. Chrome continues from the .crdownload and, when done, renames it to the correct file (e.g. movie.mp4) automatically.

You normally never need to open a .crdownload by hand — letting the download complete produces the usable file.

Peek at a partial video or audio

If the download will never finish but you want what's already there, make a copy first (so you don't break Chrome's ability to resume), then try:

VLC can play the downloaded portion of many .mp4/.mkv/.mp3 files. Drag the copied file into VLC; if it won't load, rename the copy to remove .crdownload first.
Partial archives (.zip, .rar) usually won't open — they need the full file to extract.

Rename only as a last resort

Removing the .crdownload extension doesn't complete the file; it just exposes the partial bytes. It can work for streamable media but produces a broken file for documents, installers, and archives. Finishing or re-downloading is the only way to get a complete, working file.

Why it's there

Chrome writes to a .crdownload while downloading and removes the extension on success. A leftover one means the download was paused, interrupted, or failed — resume it, or delete it and download again.

FAQ

How do I open a .crdownload file?

You usually don't open it directly — it's an unfinished download. Open Chrome Downloads (Ctrl+J) and click Resume so the download completes; Chrome then renames it to the real file. To peek at a partial video/audio, copy the file and try playing it in VLC.

Can I play a .crdownload video?

Sometimes. VLC can play the already-downloaded portion of many MP4/MKV files. Make a copy first so you don't stop Chrome resuming, then drag the copy into VLC (rename it to remove .crdownload if it won't load). Partial archives and documents won't open.

Does renaming a .crdownload file complete it?

No. Renaming only strips the extension off the partial bytes — it doesn't download the missing data. It can work for streamable media but gives a broken file for zips, installers, and documents. Resume or re-download to get a complete file.