What is .part file?

A .part file is a partially downloaded file. It's often created by download managers or web browsers when a download is interrupted or is still in progress.

Here's some key information about .part files:

• Purpose: Indicates an incomplete download. The file extension signals that the file is not yet ready for use. More about Incomplete Download.

• How they are created: Download managers, browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, etc.), and other downloading tools generate .part files.

• What happens when the download completes: Once the download finishes successfully, the .part extension is typically removed, and the file is renamed to its original extension (e.g., .zip, .exe, .mp4).

• Opening .part files: You generally cannot reliably open a .part file until the download is complete. Attempting to do so may result in errors or corrupted data. However, if the file is very large and you know the file type, sometimes you can preview or partially use it with specialized tools. More about Partially Downloaded File.

• Dealing with incomplete downloads: If a download stalls, you can often resume it using the same download manager or browser. If resuming fails, you may need to restart the download. Be careful when dealing with .part files after a failed download, as they can be corrupted or incomplete.

• Disk Space: .part files can occupy a significant amount of disk space, especially for large downloads. If you are sure the download has failed and cannot be resumed, it is generally safe to delete the .part file to free up space. More about Disk Space.