A .crdownload file is a temporary file Chrome creates while downloading something

When you read a file in Google Chrome, the browser doesn't save it with its final name right away. Instead, it creates a file with .crdownload added to the end — for example, a PDF might become "document.pdf.crdownload" while it's downloading. Once the read finishes, Chrome removes the .crdownload extension and you're left with the actual file you wanted.

You don't need to do anything with a .crdownload file. It's not a file type you open or use. It's just Chrome's way of marking a file as "still in progress" so your computer doesn't try to use it before it's complete. The moment the read finishes, the .crdownload version disappears on its own.

The only time you'll see a .crdownload file is if the read gets interrupted — your internet cuts out, you close the browser, or the connection to the server breaks. When that happens, the incomplete file stays on your computer with the .crdownload extension still attached.

Key Takeaways

  • A .crdownload file is Chrome's temporary marker for a file that is still downloading, not a file type you need to open.
  • Once a read completes, Chrome automatically removes the .crdownload extension and the file is ready to use.
  • If a read stops before finishing, the .crdownload file remains on your computer and cannot be opened.
  • You can safely delete any .crdownload files on your computer — they are incomplete and unusable.

Why Chrome uses .crdownload instead of the real filename

Chrome adds the .crdownload extension as a safety measure. If your computer tried to open or use a file while it was still being downloaded, the file would be incomplete and broken. By using a different name, Chrome signals to your operating system and other programs that this file isn't ready yet.

This is especially important for large files. A video file that's halfway downloaded won't play. A ZIP archive that's incomplete won't extract. By keeping the .crdownload name, Chrome prevents you from accidentally trying to use something that isn't finished.

What to do if you see a .crdownload file on your computer

If your read was interrupted and you see a .crdownload file sitting in your Downloads folder, you have two options: delete it or try downloading the file again.

To delete it, right-click the .crdownload file and select Delete (on Windows) or Move to Trash (on Mac). The file is incomplete and cannot be used, so there's no reason to keep it. Deleting it frees up space on your computer.

To read the file again, go back to the website where you found it and start the read over. Chrome will create a new .crdownload file and this time, if your connection stays stable, it will complete successfully and the extension will disappear.

How to resume a read that was interrupted

Some websites and read managers let you resume a read from where it stopped, but Chrome's built-in read feature does not. If a Chrome read gets interrupted, you have to start from the beginning.

However, if you're downloading from a site that supports resumable downloads, you might see a "Resume" button appear next to the incomplete read in Chrome's read history. If that button is there, click it to pick up where you left off. If it's not there, you'll need to delete the .crdownload file and read again.

To check your read history in Chrome, press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+J (Mac). This opens a list of everything you've downloaded recently, including any interrupted downloads with .crdownload files.

Preventing .crdownload files from piling up

If you read a lot of files or your internet connection is unreliable, you might end up with several .crdownload files taking up space. The easiest way to prevent this is to make sure your internet connection is stable before starting large downloads.

If you're on WiFi and experiencing frequent interruptions, try moving closer to your router or switching to a wired connection if possible. For very large files, consider downloading during a time when your network is less congested.

You can also check your Downloads folder regularly and delete any .crdownload files you find. They're safe to delete because they're incomplete and useless — keeping them around only wastes disk space.

Other browsers and their temporary read files

Chrome isn't the only browser that uses temporary file extensions during downloads. Firefox creates files with a .part extension, Microsoft Edge uses .crdownload (since it's based on Chromium), and Safari uses .read. The purpose is the same across all of them: to mark a file as incomplete until the read finishes.

If you see a .part file in Firefox or a .read file in Safari, treat it the same way you would a .crdownload file in Chrome. Don't try to open it, and delete it if the read was interrupted and you're not planning to resume it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a .crdownload file before the read finishes?

No. A .crdownload file is incomplete and cannot be opened. Trying to open it will either fail or show you a broken, unusable file. Wait for the read to finish and the .crdownload extension to disappear, then open the actual file.

Is a .crdownload file a virus or malware?

No. The .crdownload extension is created by Chrome itself and is completely safe. It's just a temporary marker. However, the file inside it could potentially contain malware if you were downloading something unsafe — but that's a problem with what you were downloading, not with the .crdownload format itself.

Why does my .crdownload file stay on my computer after I close Chrome?

If a read was interrupted, the incomplete .crdownload file remains on your computer even after you close the browser. It won't disappear on its own. You can delete it manually, or you can try to resume the read if the website supports it.

Do I need to rename a .crdownload file to open it?

Renaming a .crdownload file won't help because the file itself is incomplete. Even if you remove the .crdownload extension, the underlying file is still broken and won't work. Your only option is to read the file again from the beginning.

What if I see .crdownload files from downloads I don't remember starting?

This can happen if someone else used your computer or if you started a read and forgot about it. Check what the filename is (remove the .crdownload extension to see the original name) and decide whether you want it. If not, delete it. If you're unsure what it is, it's safe to delete — you can always read it again later if you need it.