How to Limit the Transfer Rate in Internet Download Manager
By Andrew Meer
Because Internet Download Manager uses most of your Internet connection’s bandwidth by default, your Web browsing experience and other applications that require online connectivity may suffer as a result. To circumvent this issue, use IDM’s Speed Limiter functionality to limit the maximum transfer rate for downloading files. IDM also allows you to configure the Speed Limiter to activate automatically each time you use IDM or for a single session only.
Step 1
Open your Internet Download Manager installation.
Step 2
Click the “Downloads” option on the menu bar, point to “Speed Limiter,” and then select “Settings” to open the Speed Limiter Settings window.
Step 3
Enter the maximum download speed, in Kbytes/sec, that you want to allow for a single file into the box next to “Maximum Download Speed for One File.” By default, this value is set at 10 Kbytes/sec.
Step 4
Check the box next to “Always Turn on Speed Limiter on IDM Startup” to automatically limit the transfer rate each time you launch IDM. Skip this step to limit the transfer rate for the current session only.
Step 5
Click “OK” to close the Speed Limiter Settings window. Click the “Downloads” menu bar option again, point to “Speed Limiter,” and then select “Turn On” to activate the Speed Limiter.
References
Tips
- Certain download servers may break the connection due to very low download speeds, so avoid setting the speed to below 10 Kbytes/sec.
- One Mbps equals 128 Kbytes/sec.
Warnings
- Turning on the Speed Limiter does not affect the total IDM download speed, but instead limits the download speed of each individual file. For example, if you download two files simultaneously, IDM uses twice the bandwidth as specified in the Speed Limiter settings.
- Information in this article applies to IDM 6.18. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions of IDM.
Writer Bio
As an ardent tech fan, Andrew Meer loves writing about the latest in computer hardware and software. Since 2006, he has worked as a level designer and programmer for various video game companies. Meer holds a Bachelor of Science in game and simulation programming from DeVry University, California.