.DOWNLOAD File Extension

A DOWNLOAD file is a file that is currently being downloaded from the Internet or was stopped before the download finished. It may be double-clicked to resume the download using the same web browser that started the download. DOWNLOAD files are created by Apple Safari and Mozilla Firefox web browsers.

When Safari or Firefox is downloading a file, the ".download" extension is appended onto the file is downloaded. For example, when the file example.mp4 is downloaded, it becomes example.mp4.download. Once the download is complete, the web browser removes the ".download" extension and the file is ready to be used. You will most likely only see DOWNLOAD files in your "Downloads" folder during a download.

If your download was interrupted before it was finished, it may be possible to recover the file. Delete the ".download" extension then open it with the appropriate program. If you try this method and still cannot open the file you should delete the file and download it again.

Some P2P file sharing websites also save active downloads with the ".download" extension. The appropriate file extension is typically added once the download is complete.

NOTE: DOWNLOAD files are similar to .CRDOWNLOAD files, which are created by Google Chrome.