How to Restore .DOWNLOAD Files When a Virus Corrupts Your Data

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .DOWNLOAD file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Restore .DOWNLOAD Files When a Virus Corrupts Your Data
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .DOWNLOAD file?

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.

What Are Common Causes of ".DOWNLOAD" Files Lost or Failure?

There can be several common causes of ".DOWNLOAD" files being lost or experiencing failure:

  1. Internet connectivity issues: If there is a sudden disruption in the internet connection while downloading a file, it can lead to an incomplete or corrupted ".DOWNLOAD" file.
  2. File download interruption: If the download process is interrupted manually or due to a system crash, the ".DOWNLOAD" file may not be completed or saved properly.
  3. Insufficient storage space: If there is not enough storage space available on the device or the designated download location, the ".DOWNLOAD" file may fail to save or be lost.
  4. Antivirus software interference: Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with the downloading process and mistakenly identify the ".DOWNLOAD" file as a potential threat, leading to its removal or quarantine.
  5. File server issues: If the server from which the file is being downloaded experiences technical difficulties or crashes, it can result in a failed or lost ".DOWNLOAD" file.
  6. File corruption: In some cases, the ".DOWNLOAD" file itself may be corrupted or damaged, making it impossible to open or use.
  7. User error: Accidental deletion, improper handling of the file, or mistakenly renaming or moving the ".DOWNLOAD" file can also lead to its loss or failure.

It is important to note that the ".DOWNLOAD" file extension is often used by web browsers to temporarily store files during the downloading process. Once the download is complete, the file is usually renamed to its original format. Therefore, if a ".DOWNLOAD" file is lost or fails, it may be possible to re-download the file or check the designated download location for the renamed file.

How to recover lost ".DOWNLOAD" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".DOWNLOAD" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".DOWNLOAD" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".DOWNLOAD" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".DOWNLOAD" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".DOWNLOAD" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".DOWNLOAD" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo partially Downloaded File image file file?

Programs that open ".DOWNLOAD" files

Windows
Mozilla Firefox Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome Google Chrome
Mac
Apple Safari Apple Safari
Mozilla Firefox Mozilla Firefox

Additional Information

  • File type: Partially Downloaded File

  • File extension: .DOWNLOAD

  • Developer: N/A

  • Category: Web Files

  • Format: Text and Binary

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:04 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .DOWNLOAD files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are some common causes for problems opening .DOWNLOAD files and how can they be fixed?

    There are several common causes for problems opening .DOWNLOAD files, and they can be fixed using the following methods:

    1. Incomplete Download: If the .DOWNLOAD file is not fully downloaded, it may cause problems. Ensure that the download is complete before attempting to open the file. If necessary, restart the download process.
    2. Incorrect File Extension: Sometimes, the .DOWNLOAD extension may be incorrect or changed. Rename the file extension to the appropriate format. For example, if the file is a video, it may need to be renamed to .MP4 or .AVI.
    3. Incompatible Software: If you don't have the necessary software installed to open the .DOWNLOAD file, it may cause issues. Determine the file type and find the appropriate software to open it. For example, if it's a compressed file, use a file compression tool like WinRAR or 7-Zip.
    4. File Corruption: If the .DOWNLOAD file is corrupted, it may not open properly. Try redownloading the file or obtaining a new copy from the original source.
    5. Security Software Interference: Sometimes, security software can interfere with file downloads and cause issues. Temporarily disable any antivirus or firewall software and attempt to open the file again.
    6. File Conversion: If the .DOWNLOAD file needs to be converted to a different format, use a file conversion tool or online service to convert it to a compatible format.
    7. Insufficient Permissions: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access and open the .DOWNLOAD file. If needed, try opening the file as an administrator or contact the file owner for appropriate access rights.

    If none of these solutions work, it's possible that the .DOWNLOAD file may be an incomplete or unsupported file type. In such cases, it's best to consult the source or provider of the file for further assistance.

  • Are there any specific software or tools that can help in resolving issues with opening .DOWNLOAD files?

    There are no specific software or tools designed to open .DOWNLOAD files because they are not meant to be opened directly. The .DOWNLOAD file extension usually indicates that a file is being downloaded or is in the process of being downloaded. Once the download is complete, the file extension is typically changed to its appropriate format, such as .PDF, .JPG, .ZIP, etc.

    If you are having trouble opening a downloaded file with a .DOWNLOAD extension, it could mean that the download was interrupted or incomplete. In such cases, you can try the following steps:

    1. Ensure that the download is complete: Check if the file size matches the expected size. If the download is not complete, try downloading it again.
    2. Rename the file: Remove the .DOWNLOAD extension from the file name and replace it with the appropriate extension for the file type. For example, if you were downloading a PDF file, rename the file from "example.download" to "example.pdf".
    3. Use a file extraction tool: If the downloaded file is a compressed archive (e.g., .ZIP, .RAR), you can use file extraction software like WinRAR, 7-Zip, or WinZip to extract the contents of the archive.
    4. Check for file corruption: If the file still doesn't open after renaming or extracting, it is possible that the file itself is corrupted. In such cases, you may need to re-download the file from a reliable source.

    Remember to exercise caution when opening downloaded files, especially if they come from unknown or untrusted sources, as they could potentially contain malware or viruses.

  • Are there any alternative file formats or methods that can be used to avoid problems with opening .DOWNLOAD files?

    The .DOWNLOAD file extension typically indicates that a file is currently being downloaded or partially downloaded. It is not a specific file format and can vary depending on the downloading software or browser being used. Once the download is complete, the file extension should change to its intended format.

    If you are experiencing problems opening .DOWNLOAD files, there are a few alternatives or methods you can try:

    1. Rename the file: Remove the .DOWNLOAD extension from the file name and try opening it again. For example, if the file is named "document.pdf.DOWNLOAD," rename it to "document.pdf" and try opening it with the appropriate software.
    2. Check for incomplete downloads: If the file size seems unusually small or if the download was interrupted, it might be incomplete. In such cases, try re-downloading the file completely before attempting to open it.
    3. Use a download manager: Consider using a dedicated download manager software or browser extension. These tools often provide better control over downloads and can help avoid issues with .DOWNLOAD files.
    4. Clear your browser cache: If you are using a web browser to download files, clearing your browser cache might resolve any issues related to .DOWNLOAD files. After clearing the cache, try re-downloading the file.
    5. Contact the source: If you obtained the file from a specific source or website, it's possible that the file itself is corrupted or not in a compatible format. In such cases, reaching out to the source for assistance or an alternative file format may be necessary.

    Remember, it's important to exercise caution when opening downloaded files, especially if they are from unknown or untrusted sources. Always ensure that you have adequate security measures in place to protect your system from potential threats.
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