> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.pixwel.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Downloading Files

> How to download deliverables, where they land, how embargoes work, and how to request restricted OV files.

This guide covers getting files off the platform — the download itself, the Aspera transfer, embargoes, and restricted-file requests. For the broader feature, see [Downloads](/features/downloads).

## How to download files

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the asset">
    Find the [asset](/features/projects/assets) and open its preview.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick language and options">
    At the top of the preview, choose your **language** and subtitle/dub option. The available **files** then appear in the lower half.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click a file">
    Click any file to start downloading immediately. A progress indicator sits next to each filename; click the **X** to cancel, and a checkmark shows when it's done.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="Choose a language and version at the top, then click any file in the list to download it. The Broadcast / Online / DCP tabs group the files by usage.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pixwel/EzZene0sLkTaATKH/img/guides/download-files-1.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=EzZene0sLkTaATKH&q=85&s=36b6aaf773814a16566a954660414fb4" alt="An asset's file list with language and version dropdowns and download arrows" width="1087" height="1148" data-path="img/guides/download-files-1.jpg" />
</Frame>

<Frame caption="A download in progress — pause it, or click the X to cancel.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pixwel/EzZene0sLkTaATKH/img/guides/download-files-2.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=EzZene0sLkTaATKH&q=85&s=39e005c3749b3752da304a792ee17c62" alt="A file row showing a download in progress with pause and cancel controls" width="1064" height="53" data-path="img/guides/download-files-2.jpg" />
</Frame>

<Frame caption="The download arrow beside a file.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pixwel/EzZene0sLkTaATKH/img/guides/download-files-3.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=EzZene0sLkTaATKH&q=85&s=79af63ccf262e16c0d5056841593c8f7" alt="The download arrow icon next to a file" width="61" height="64" data-path="img/guides/download-files-3.jpg" />
</Frame>

Open the **Download Manager** from the left navigation bar to see your history and pause, resume, cancel, or search transfers.

<Frame caption="The Download Manager: active transfers with speed and progress, and a history of completed downloads.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pixwel/EzZene0sLkTaATKH/img/guides/download-files-4.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=EzZene0sLkTaATKH&q=85&s=d2fef651e1ca64660c806735845150b1" alt="The Download Manager showing active and completed transfers" width="1793" height="695" data-path="img/guides/download-files-4.jpg" />
</Frame>

## How long until files are downloadable

Once the Pixwel team receives files from the localization vendor, it usually takes **60 to 90 minutes** for them to appear on the platform.

## Where files download to (Aspera)

Downloads transfer via **Aspera Connect** and save, by default, to your system's **Downloads** folder, inside a subfolder named for the studio. To change the location:

* **Mac** — open Aspera Connect preferences → **Transfers** tab → **Browse** to a new location.
* **Windows** — open Connect preferences (cog icon at bottom-left, or right-click the Connect icon → **Preferences**) → **Transfers** tab. Choose **Save downloaded files to** and browse to a directory, or **Always ask me where to save downloaded files** to be prompted each time.

<Frame caption="Downloads land in your Downloads folder, inside a subfolder named for the studio, project, and asset type.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pixwel/EzZene0sLkTaATKH/img/guides/download-files-5.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=EzZene0sLkTaATKH&q=85&s=16257ecc476b3dd52e1fe5603c8037ad" alt="A file-system folder tree showing where downloaded files are saved" width="630" height="82" data-path="img/guides/download-files-5.png" />
</Frame>

<Note>
  If you're hitting connectivity or transfer problems, Pixwel publishes Aspera technical documentation (network ports and requirements) as a PDF — ask support for the link. See also [Aspera Desktop](/features/aspera-desktop).
</Note>

## Downloading without Aspera

You **don't need any Aspera software to download** — Aspera just makes large transfers faster and gives you progress and pause/resume. If you have neither [Aspera Desktop](/features/aspera-desktop) nor the Aspera Connect browser plugin, Pixwel automatically falls back to a **standard HTTPS download through your browser**, and the file still downloads.

What's different on the browser fallback:

* Your **browser's own download manager** handles the file — there's no in-app **Active Transfers** entry, progress, speed, or pause/resume.
* There's **no transfer acceleration**, so very large files are slower than over Aspera.
* Files download **one at a time** (no bulk/zip).
* The download link is **short-lived** (about 20 minutes). Start the download promptly; if it stalls or the link expires, just click the file again to get a fresh one.

| Capability                     | Aspera Desktop | Aspera Connect (plugin) | No Aspera (browser) |
| ------------------------------ | :------------: | :---------------------: | :-----------------: |
| Downloads work                 |        ✓       |            ✓            |          ✓          |
| Accelerated transfer           |        ✓       |            ✓            |          —          |
| In-app progress, pause, resume |        ✓       |            ✓            |          —          |
| Nothing to install             |        —       |            —            |          ✓          |

<Tip>
  For large files, lots of files, or unreliable connections, install [Aspera Desktop](/features/aspera-desktop) (or the Aspera Connect plugin) — you'll get faster, resumable transfers with full progress control. For the occasional small file, the browser fallback is fine.
</Tip>

## Embargoed files

An [embargo](/glossary) holds a file until a release date.

* An embargoed file shows a **padlock icon** and can't be downloaded yet.
* Hover the filename to see the **embargo date and time**.
* When the embargo lifts, the padlock becomes a **download arrow** and the file is available.

<Frame caption="Embargoed files show a padlock and can't be downloaded yet.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pixwel/EzZene0sLkTaATKH/img/guides/file-embargoed-1.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=EzZene0sLkTaATKH&q=85&s=a038b851eb96b5269c2f9e6deb894774" alt="An asset's file list with padlock icons on embargoed files" width="1237" height="1182" data-path="img/guides/file-embargoed-1.jpg" />
</Frame>

<Frame caption="Hover a file to see the embargo date and time.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pixwel/EzZene0sLkTaATKH/img/guides/file-embargoed-2.jpeg?fit=max&auto=format&n=EzZene0sLkTaATKH&q=85&s=e1b1de9ebf08848c9254d7c343eb83b6" alt="A tooltip showing the embargo date and time on hover" width="686" height="86" data-path="img/guides/file-embargoed-2.jpeg" />
</Frame>

<Frame caption="A padlock means embargoed and not downloadable; a download arrow means it's available.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pixwel/EzZene0sLkTaATKH/img/guides/file-embargoed-3.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=EzZene0sLkTaATKH&q=85&s=ba0314ac05b572b7120b11f5bb1d5edd" alt="Legend comparing the embargoed padlock and the downloadable arrow icons" width="655" height="103" data-path="img/guides/file-embargoed-3.jpg" />
</Frame>

If you believe a file was **locked in error** and you need it before the embargo lifts, contact support.

## Restricted OV texted / textless files

Downloading **OV** English **texted** and **textless** files usually needs Head Office approval. To request them, email **[platform@pixwel.com](mailto:platform@pixwel.com)** with:

* The **asset titles** and their **URLs**
* The **specs** — texted, textless, or both; broadcast, online, or both; and any special transcoding
* A **business justification** — why you need them, who the recipient vendor/partner is, and the intended usage

Files are released only once Head Office approves.