Save as Shortcut Suddenly Saves .URL Files as .download

Question

Save as Shortcut Suddenly Saves .URL Files as .download

Pichuwong07 1

Hello,

I usually use the Save as Shortcut extension to save website pages as Windows Internet Shortcut (.URL) files:

It has been working fine for me, but a few days ago it suddenly stopped working correctly. When I choose Windows (.URL) in the extension, the file is now saved as a .download file instead of a .URL file.

What is especially strange is that I can reproduce the same problem without using the extension. For example, I created a normal .URL file and uploaded it to Catbox, then downloaded it again. No matter whether I use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, the downloaded .URL file becomes a .download file.

So I'm wondering what is going on. Is this a recent Chrome/Edge or Chromium change that is affecting .URL files?

The strange thing is that everything was working normally just a few days ago, and I haven't intentionally changed anything related to .URL files.

Is anyone else experiencing this problem, or is it just me? Is there a way to fix it and make Chrome/Edge save the files as .URL again?

Thank you!

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Answer 1

Emma1-N 12,450 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Pichuwong07,

Thank you for providing such a detailed description of the issue.

Since the behavior occurs in both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, and even when downloading an existing .URL file, it would be helpful to determine whether this is caused by the browser download process, a Windows file association change, or a security setting on the device.

Could you please confirm:

When the file is downloaded, what is the exact file name shown in File Explorer? For example, does it appear as filename.url.download or simply filename.download?
If you right-click the downloaded file, select “Properties”, and check “Type of file”, what does it display?
Does the same behavior occur if you download a .URL file while signed into a different Windows user account?

In the meantime, please try these quick checks:

Open Settings > Apps > Default apps
Search for “.url” and verify which application is associated with the file type
In File Explorer, enable File name extensions from the View menu so the complete file name is visible.
Download the file again and check whether the browser is appending an additional extension rather than replacing “.url”.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes". If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Emma1-N 12,450 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-08T03:46:50.06+00:00

Hello Pichuwong07,

I just wanted to check if my previous response addressed your question correctly. If there is anything I may have misunderstood, I would truly appreciate it if you could provide a bit more detail to help me better understand your needs.
Pranckevicius, Dr. Tomas (Kibo) 0 Reputation points

2026-09-08T07:47:16.19+00:00

Hi Emma1-N, I can confirm that we are experiencing the same issue across the global user community.

To answer your question, the downloaded file is saved as filename.download. We could not find any association with the .url file type anymore in the settings you requested.

As a result, users are now prompted to manually select an application when opening the downloaded file.

Besides creating confusion for users, this change may lead to more complicated support scenarios, inconsistent user actions, and an increased risk of incorrect file associations being selected.

We have observed the issue after updating to Microsoft Edge Version 152.0.4191.66.
Emma1-N 12,450 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-09T06:44:03.79+00:00
Hello Pranckevicius, Dr. Tomas (Kibo),

Could you please check the following:

Download the affected file.

Right-click the file and select “Properties”.

If there is an “Unblock” checkbox on the “General” tab, check it and select “Apply”.

Then rename the file extension from .download to .url and test whether it opens normally as an Internet Shortcut.
Pranckevicius, Dr. Tomas (Kibo) 0 Reputation points

2026-09-09T07:27:19.8666667+00:00

Hi Emma, yes it works and opens normally.
Emma1-N 12,450 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-10T04:47:14.19+00:00

Hello Pranckevicius, Dr. Tomas (Kibo),

Thank you for the update. I'm glad to hear you were able to identify the cause and get the issue working correctly again. If you still have any questions. Please let me know, I will be here to assist you.