What are .com.google.Chrome files?

When you access your Downloads folder, whether on your phone or computer/laptop, you may encounter a file named .com.google.Chrome. So, what does this file actually entail?

The .com.google.Chrome file is generated by Google Chrome and stored locally on your device, whether it’s a computer or a phone. Its purpose is to house cache and some additional files and data. The undisclosed data within the .com.google.Chrome file is typically unnecessary and doesn’t contribute to the proper functioning of your device or the Chrome application.

There might be multiple .com.google.Chrome files, and in instances where there are several, each file may have an indefinite variable appended to the filename. For instance, you might come across files named .com.google.Chrome.RFHNO or .com.google.Chrome.KDFJP.

In essence, .com.google.Chrome files primarily store cached information and other superfluous data. However, they might also contain data from downloads that were interrupted and couldn’t be properly stored on the device. Usually, these download data files cannot be opened due to their broken nature.

In summary, .com.google.Chrome files are essentially junk files containing cache, data from interrupted or paused downloads, and other unspecified information.

The file size of a .com.google.Chrome file can vary significantly based on its contents. These files can range from as small as 100 KB (though this isn’t the minimum size) to some users reporting sizes of 5 gigabytes, which is not the maximum size. For instance, if the file only contains cache and irrelevant data to the user, it is likely to be small. However, if it holds one or more uninterrupted downloads from unknown Chrome versions, the size can be substantial, depending on the original file’s size that is now broken and housed within .com.google.Chrome.

Is the .com.google.Chrome file a carrier of viruses?

Typically, the .com.google.Chrome file mainly houses cache, unspecified Chrome-related data, and data from interrupted downloads, especially if you’ve recently attempted a download using Chrome. In general, it can be asserted that .com.google.Chrome files are devoid of viruses or malware, making them harmless to the device where they are stored.

However, there are exceptions. If the .com.google.Chrome file contains data from an interrupted download that was originally malicious, the safety of the .com.google.Chrome file may be compromised.

Consider a scenario where you were in the process of downloading a file infected with malware via Google Chrome, and the download was interrupted. If the broken file is now stored within the .com.google.Chrome file, it could be deemed as harboring a virus.

Another perspective is that a .com.google.Chrome file might carry a virus if it wasn’t created by Chrome but rather by a malicious third-party application or software. Occasionally, malware can mimic a .com.google.Chrome file, posing significant threats to your device.

If you have antivirus software installed, or if you recently installed one, conducting a file scan can help determine whether the .com.google.Chrome file poses a threat to your device. However, there are instances where you may only realize the infection after it’s too late.

Therefore, below, we’ve outlined how you can verify whether a .com.google.Chrome file (or any other file on your device) contains a virus or not.

How to check if .com.google.Chrome. File contains a virus?

Here are two methods you can employ to verify if the .com.google.Chrome file contains a virus on a Windows system:

Method 1: Scan with Windows Defender

If you lack third-party antivirus software, you can utilize “Windows Defender” on your Windows 10 device to scan the .com.google.Chrome file for viruses. Follow these steps:

Navigate to the file or folder you wish to scan.

Right-click on the file or folder and select the “Scan with Microsoft Defender” option.
The Windows Security window will appear, and you will find the scan results under the “Scan Option” heading at the top right of the window.
If no malware is detected, you’ll see the “No current threats” message. If malware is detected, Windows Defender will alert you with the “Threats Found” message, providing a list of infected folders and files.

Click the “Start Action” button to remove the threat. For detailed scan results, click on “Protection History” just below the scan results.

Method 2: Scan using Command Prompt

Search for Command Prompt in the Search bar next to the Start Button.
Right-click on the result and choose the “Run as administrator” option.

Type the following command: cd c:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform and press Enter.
Use the dir command to identify the latest version of the antivirus command tool, then press Enter.
Enter the command cd 4.18.2009.7-0 and press Enter to access the folder with the latest version.

Type in mpcmdrun -Scan -ScanType 3 -File “C:\PATH\TO\FOLDER” (replace “C:\PATH\TO\FOLDER” with the folder path you want to scan) to scan all content in a folder.
To scan a specific file, type mpcmdrun -Scan -ScanType 3 -File “C:\PATH\TO\FILE.TXT” (replace “C:\PATH\TO\FILE.TXT” with the path to the specific file) and press Enter.
Once the scan is complete, check the results, as Windows may or may not notify you of the scan completion.

Is it safe to delete .com.google.Chrome files?

Consider this perspective: If you’re someone who values maintaining a clean and clutter-free device, you likely make it a practice to regularly clear junk files and cache from various applications.

The same principle applies to .com.google.Chrome files. Given that these files typically harbor junk, broken downloads, and cache, it is advisable to delete them. Eliminating these files from your device won’t impede the functioning of either your device or Google Chrome.

What is a .CRDOWNLOAD file?

If you’re a user of Google Chrome, you may have encountered files with the ‘.crdownload’ extension in your Downloads directory. This extension is specific to the Chrome web browser, as Google Chrome generates one each time you initiate a file download.

Upon successful completion of a download, these files undergo an automatic renaming process. However, if a download encounters an error, these files may persist.

Once a download successfully concludes, the extension is removed from the filename. Conversely, in the case of interrupted downloads, often referred to as Chrome Partial Download files, the extension remains intact.

Spotting a file with a ‘.crdownload’ extension, even when the download isn’t currently in progress, indicates that the file is either incomplete or not fully downloaded.

As users download more of a file, the CRDOWNLOAD file size increases. For example, downloading a large video results in the file size progressively growing as more of the file is saved.

Attempting to delete a CRDOWNLOAD file might trigger a “File In Use” message, indicating that the file is still in use by Google Chrome for ongoing download. Canceling the download within Chrome is the simplest solution in such cases.

Consistently encountering CRDOWNLOAD file extensions for every download, without successful completion, may signal an issue or bug in your Chrome version. Upgrading to the latest Chrome version, available for download from the official application, often resolves such bugs associated with downloads.

Before installing the newest version, consider uninstalling Chrome first to ensure the removal of the program and eliminate any lingering bugs.

While CRDOWNLOAD files share similarities with other file extensions like XXXXXX, BC!, DOWNLOAD, and XLX used by different programs to indicate incomplete or partial files, they are distinct and cannot be interchanged as the same file type.

When (and Why) Chrome Creates These Files

Google Chrome is responsible for generating these files during your download process. For instance, if you initiate a download of a song named Song.mp3 in Chrome, you’ll find the file in your Chrome Downloads. Simultaneously, a file named Song.mp3.crdownload will appear in the Downloads folder. As Chrome continues to download the original mp3 file, the size of this .crdownload file will increase. Upon completion of the download, Chrome renames it to Song.mp3, eliminating the .crdownload extension.

The presence of the .crdownload extension signifies that the file is still in the process of being downloaded. Unlike some other browsers, which may store incomplete files in a separate folder and later transfer them to your Downloads folder, Chrome keeps these works-in-progress in your Downloads folder.

If you come across a .crdownload file, it’s advisable to check your Downloads in Chrome. You can access the Downloads tray at the bottom of your browser window by clicking the menu and selecting Downloads. If the file is still actively downloading, refrain from removing or deleting the .crdownload file; instead, allow the download to complete.

Certainly, if you decide not to proceed with the download, you can delete it in Chrome. Canceling a download in Chrome will automatically uninstall the associated .crdownload file.

Is a .CRDOWNLOAD file safe?

In general, CRDOWNLOAD files are typically safe to retain on your phone or computer and do not pose any risk to the device where they are stored. However, if you were in the process of downloading a file initially infected with a virus, the CRDOWNLOAD version of that file could be potentially harmful, given the infection of the original file.

Nevertheless, if you are downloading files from a trustworthy source on Google, having a CRDOWNLOAD version of the file is secure and not considered a threat. To ensure absolute certainty that the CRDOWNLOAD file does not carry any unknown risks that could expose your device, it is recommended to perform a virus scan using your antivirus software.

Can you delete a .CRDOWNLOAD file?

Feel free to delete the file whenever you wish. If you have no ongoing downloads and don’t intend to resume one, it’s advisable to uninstall the file.

Once you no longer require the file, you should delete the .crdownload file. Check your Downloads folder, and if you find files named Song (1).mp3 and Song.mp3.crdownload, the latter is an incomplete download file that can be safely removed.

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How to resume interrupted downloads in chrome?

When a download is interrupted, the incomplete file is typically stored either as a CRDOWNLOAD file or as part of the .com.google.Chrome file. Various factors can cause interruptions, such as loss of internet connection, removal of the file from the server, incomplete source files, timeouts, and incomplete proxy downloads.

Here are two solutions to address interrupted downloads in Chrome:

Solution 1: Use Google Downloader Manager to Resume Download

Open the Google Chrome Download manager by pressing Ctrl+J or clicking on the menu icon in the top right of the browser, then selecting Downloads from the drop-down menu.
Locate the failed download in the Download Manager and click on “Resume” to restart the download from where it was interrupted.

If you encounter a “Download Failed-NetworkError” message, the download may continue to fail.

Solution 2: Use Wget to Resume Download

Wget is a command-line tool that is free and serves as an alternative for managing and downloading files from the web. It works efficiently even in slow or unstable network connections. If a download fails, Wget automatically retries until the download is successfully completed.

Setting up Wget as an environment variable:

Navigate to Settings > About > Advanced System Settings > Environment Variables.

In the new window, locate the System variables and click on the “Path” option, then click on “edit.”
Click on the “New” button (located on the top right corner), and type in C:\Users\[User Name]\Downloads\wget.exe. Click “OK.”
Launch the Command Prompt and type in “wget -h” or in PowerShell type in “wget.exe -h” to access the Wget help menu.

Renaming the partially downloaded file:

Obtain the website URL and the location of the partially downloaded file.
In the Chrome Download Manager, press Ctrl + J, locate the file, right-click on the link, and select “Copy link address.” Paste it in Notepad.
Open the downloads folder by going to the More option and choosing “Open downloads folder.”

Chrome typically names a partially downloaded file with the extension “Unconfirmed [Random Number].crdownload.” Remove the .crdownload extension and input the original file name obtained from the website URL.
If prompted that changing the extension may make the file unusable, click “Yes.”

Resuming download with Wget:

Press and hold the Shift key, then right-click on the file and choose “Copy as path.” Paste it in Notepad where the URL was copied earlier.

Use the Wget command: wget -c -O “[file-path-of-the-target-download-file]” [website-URL]. Replace the parameters in square brackets with the actual values and press Enter to resume downloading.