When you are downloading files from the Internet, using the Internet Explorer browser, it limits the files you can download simultaneously at the same time. By default, Internet Explorer will let you download only up to 6 files at one time. In fact in IE7 and earlier, the limit was just two files!
The settings were made keeping download speeds in mind. But if you have fast broadband speeds, you may if you wish increase the number to even up to 10!
Increase number of simultaneous downloads in Internet Explorer
There are 3 ways you can enable more simultaneous download of files in Internet Explorer:
- Using Group Policy Setting
- Editing Windows Registry
- Using Microsoft Fix It.
Using Group Policy Setting
Open Group Policy Editor and navigate to the following setting:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer > Security Features > AJAX
Now in the left pane, double-click on Maximum number of connections per server (HTTP 1.0), check Enabled and change its value to, say, 10. Click on Apply/OK.
This policy setting allows you to change the default connection limit for HTTP 1.0 from 6 connections per host to a limit of your choice (from 2 through 128). If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Internet Explorer will use the default connection limit for HTTP 1.0 (6 connections per host). In versions of Internet Explorer prior to Internet Explorer 8, the default connection limit for HTTP 1.0 was 4.
Next double-click on Maximum number of connections per server (HTTP 1.1), check Enabled and change its value to 10 or whatever you wish.
This policy setting allows you to change the default connection limit for HTTP 1.1 from 6 connections per host to a limit of your choice (from 2 through 128). If you enable this policy setting, Internet Explorer uses the connection limit of your choice for HTTP 1.1. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Internet Explorer uses the default connection limit for HTTP 1.1 (6 connections per host). In versions of Internet Explorer before Internet Explorer 8, the default connection limit for HTTP 1.1 was 2. Click on Apply/OK, when done.
If your version of Windows does not have Group Policy Editor, you may edit the Windows Registry or use a Fix It.
Using Windows Registry
Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following key;
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_MAXCONNECTIONSPERSERVER
In the right pane right-click and create a new DWORD with Value Name iexplore.exe and Decimal value data, say, 10.
Next, navigate to the following key and again create a new DWORD with Value Name iexplore.exe and Decimal value data, say, 10:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN\FeatureControl\FEATURE_MAXCONNECTIONSPER1_0SERVER
Exit the Registry.
Using Fix It
Microsoft has made things easier for you! You may download Fix It 50098 mentioned in KB282402, and follow the wizard to change your settings. It will increase the number of files that you can download at one time to 10.
How do I allow multiple files to download?
If you are using Internet Explorer and want to allow multiple files to download, you can use the aforementioned guides. It is possible to allow IE to download up to 10 files at a time with the help of the Registry Editor and Local Group Policy Editor. For that, open GPEDIT and double-click on the Maximum number of connections per server (HTTP 1.0) setting. Then, enter 10 in the box and click the OK button.
How do I change download settings in Internet Explorer?
To change the download settings in Internet Explorer, you need to open the Internet Options panel first. Go to the Security tab and click on the Custom level button. Find out the Download option and choose Enable or Disable option as per your requirements. On the other hand, you can follow the aforementioned guides to change the download settings as well.
This way you will be able to download up to 10 files simultaneously at the same time using Internet Explorer on your Windows system.
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