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.
© Martin Brinkmann for gHacks Technology News | Latest Tech News, Software And Tutorials, 2011. | Permalink |
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