Download managers back in the days of dial up Internet connections where must have applications. Downloads in the Megabyte range where large downloads back then. Considering that modems were only capable of downloading a few Megabytes per hour, and that their connections where often flaky, you had to use download managers to make use of their resume ability.
Download managers today offer a lot more than the programs at the beginning days of the Internet. Internet Download Manager 6 has been designed to give Internet users full control over their Internet downloads. The application can be used to queue and schedule downloads, resume downloads if supported by the server, increase download speeds by segmenting downloads and a lot more.
Internet Download Manager supports all popular web browsers, including Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Opera. The program is compatible with all release channels of those browsers. The Firefox add-on that it installs is however only compatible with stable versions of the web browser (downloads are however captured in all editions of Firefox)
Whenever you initiate a download in a supported browser, you will see the following prompt come up.
The program assigns a category automatically for the download. You have options to create your own custom categories which helps with the management of completed downloads.
The download complete window is displayed in the end. This window displays several interesting options.
You can open the file itself or the containing folder. The small icon in the lower right corner can be used to drag and drop the file to another location or program in the operating system.
It is possible to bypass one or both prompts by making changes to the program’s preferences. You can stop and resume downloads at any time by right-clicking on one or multiple downloads in the queue and selecting the appropriate action from the context menu.
File urls can be added directly to the program without the use of a browser. The program supports single and batch downloads via menu or from the clipboard. Batch downloads can be used to download sequential files to the computer system.
Users who like drag and drop operations can enable a small drop target to drag and drop downloads to that target to initiate the downloads.
Download Monitoring
Internet Download Manager automatically recognizes file downloads when it is running. Downloads are on the other hand not limited to specific file types. The program captures programs, documents, music, videos and other file types that you click on to download. On top of that, it may also recognize files that are streamed to the computer. A test on the music blog HypeM for instance displayed download prompts for all mp3 files that the blog offered on its start page.
The download manager can also be used to download videos from popular video hosting services such as YouTube, Gametrailers or MySpace TV. A small video download link was displayed in Google Chrome. The integration did not work in my version of Firefox (that is Firefox Aurora). The reason for this is likely that the add-on that IDM offers to install during setup is not compatible with that particular browser version (check out how to download YouTube videos for lots of options).
Additional Features
Internet Download Manager ships with many under the hood features that may improve a user’s downloading experience significantly. Here is a short overview of some of those features:
- Speed Limiter: You can limit the download speed at any time, for instance when the bandwidth is needed for another operation. Download limits are configured under Connection in the options.
- Automatic Downloads: IDM will download certain file types automatically. You can configure the whitelist and a blacklist in the program options under File types.
- Virus Checking: You can integrate antivirus software with IDM to automatically check file downloads for malicious code.
- Site Logins: Some servers may require authorization for downloads. You can manage site logins to add, edit or remove usernames and passwords.
- Site Grabber: Download specific file types, e.g. image or audio files, a complete web page or all sites of a domain.
- Interface: The interface can be customized to move, remove or add buttons and interface elements.
- Scheduler: You can schedule downloads so that they are downloaded at selected times of the day.
Developer Feedback
Note that IDM takes over downloads unless
1. You hold download a special key (set in IDM Options->General->Keys…) while clicking on a link
2. The site is in the list of exceptions not to take over downloads automatically on IDM “Options -> File Types” tab
3. The integration to this browser is turned off in IDM Options->General tab
4. The file type doesn’t match any type in the list of file types in IDM Options -> File Types
you can use a special key like “Alt” key to play the file in a browser instead of downloading it with IDM. “Alt” key may be defined as a special key in Firefox, in this case you should select a different key in IDM options, General Tab, Keys… button.
If you hold down the ALT key while clicking on a download link in a browser, IDM will not take over the download and let the browser download the file. (you may change this keys in IDM options, General Tab, Keys… button)
Also IDM takes over a download from any browser if its type matches the list of types/extensions. You may edit the list of extensions in “IDMOptions->File Types”. You may remove any extension/type there.
Also you may add the site to the list of exceptions in Options->File Types tab
NOTE that We support Firefox from Beta releases. Thus IDM supports Firefox 8 and 9. Alpha and Aurora development stage of Mozilla does not allow us doing any integration. the changes they do everyday with Aurora interfaces are significant and if we do integration, it will just stop working in a day or two due to interface development/changes that Mozilla developers may make.
Also IDM can be used to download from file sharing sites like Rapidshare. it’s easy if you have a premium account, you will need to select links in a forum with mouse and click on “download with IDM” button that appears above the links
Verdict
Internet Download Manager is a feature rich download manager for the Microsoft Windows operating system. Compatibility with all popular browsers, the large feature set and options to automate downloads make it one of the top programs in its niche.
Giveaway
We have ten lifetime licenses for Internet Download Manager to give away. You can win a license by leaving a comment below. Please let us know why you’d like to win a license. Winners will receive the licenses after New Year.
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Thanks for this Giveaway. Please count me in.
Always wanted IDM.
IDM is the best,always wanted it. Please make me the winner.
i can’t live without IDM
I would love a license so I can replace this cracked app with a legit one. Plus, I love to download stuff with this program. I use it everyday! Nifty for downloading YouTube videos as well! :D
I would like win an Internet Download Manager license so i can replace the cracked version.
I tried out IDM and found it to be the best download manager with tight browser integration and video downloads which many other commercial ones don’t have
It has long been a dream to win a license to IDM.
Well i love download managers especially when use with firefox addons like flashgot where i can just send my downloads to.
It’s pretty low on resource as compared to jdownloader. And the best of all, it’s easy to learn, configure and it’s fast. The experience is no doubt first class.
What i love about idm is when it download it will split up the connections and depending on the download server and the current network bandwidth, i can really get very fast speed. Even faster than torrents. And thats why i prefer using idm and also downloading things with my browser is something very risky as it might crash. So IDM FTW!!!
Internet Download Manager is the fastest download manager I have tried but I can’t use one because I cannot afford it.
IDM this is one of the best programs to speed up downloading files from the internet. According to the manufacturer’s program is able to accelerate data transfers up to 500%. I really would facilitate the downloading. Therefore I would win it and use. Thanks for giveaway :D
I’d like to win a license because this is the best download manager I’ve come across, and trust me, I’ve tested a lot of them, not one of them came close to IDM.
IDM is the best. Want to win it so much :)
IDM has the best browser integration (even Opera) and the best possible downloading speed without to much configuration needed. So I want one :)
Oh god… PLEASE PICK ME PICK ME PICK ME!!!! I just LOVE THIS PROGRAM… best download manager EVER! In the whole universe!!!
The best software Please count me in.
Thank you very much.
IDM this is one of the best programs to speed up downloading files from the internet. According to the manufacturer’s program is able to accelerate data transfers up to 500%. I really would facilitate the downloading. Therefore I would win it and use.
IDM is a great download manager. IDM is the best of the best. I really like the way, this program handles downloads but the most important is the great speed. Every day I download large amounts of data from the Internet and this program will help me in this work. Many thanks for this great giveaway.
I want the AWARD-WINNING Internet Download Manager!
Hi,
I perform a lot of downloads, mainly software installers, and I have a 1Mbps connection, so a download manager is essential to pause and resume big ones. Count me in please. Thanks.
i want one.I know its best but its not free.so let me have a chance at it.thanks.
One other thing is IDM support downloads from several File Sharing sites :)
IDM is fastest download manager I’ve ever seen and unfortunately is not free.
The best download manager. Good.
Please count me in. Currently using jDownloader. Would love to replace this with a licensed IDM.
Today is what I have been waiting for in this long list of giveaway. I have a slow internet connection as a result a always fail to down load files and applications that I need, I tried some Firefox Add-on but some don’t support resume download after pause, that’s why I want to win IDM 6 license to help me to down load things fast and /or pause them and resume downloading later when connection is restored.
Thanks
Internet Download Manager is the best manager out there.Period.My licence expired.Would really like another one.Thanks.
IDM is great great tool for everyone. The most essential for every computer.
First of all, thank you for amazing giveaway!
IDM is the best download manager I’ve ever used.
Why do I want to win?
1) because in my opinion it is the best download manager;
1)it is very advanced and feature-rich software (like increasing download speeds or resuming and sheduling downloads);
2) although this is also perfect for non-technical users (newbiest like me);
3) IDM integrates perfectly with my favorite browser – Mozilla Firefox, so downloading is really uncomplicated, I don’t need to run the program, just click on a download link while browsing the Internet;
4) IDM makes my downloading safe – thanks to automatic anti-virus checking, I do not have to worry that my computer will be compromised by malicious files downloaded from the Internet;
5) this amazing program has also a very convenient feature – automatically shutdown my computer after the download is complete, useful especially when downloading large files;
At the end, thanks once again and I really, really hope to win the license.
Hi, I would like to participate. Count me too.
Wow, I am so loving this download manger, but unfortunately I have no budget to purchase this license.
I really appreciate to get this license.
Thanks in advanced,
Tal
I’d like to have this as the other download managers are not that good, and espially as an Opera user. Have always heard this is the best. Thanks for the opportunity.