Increase Download Speed

If the speed of your Internet connection is vital to your online enjoyment, slow downloads may be frustrating. Luckily, there are several ways to increase download speed. Download speeds can be influenced by several factors, including extra programs or processes running on your computer, your ISP, and the traffic of the site that you are downloading from. If you are frequently experiencing slow download speeds, try some of the methods in here to learn increase download speed.

There is nothing worse than slow download speeds. Download speed refers to the rate data is transferred from the Internet to your computer and is measured in kilobits per second (kbps), kilobytes per second (KBps), megabits per second (Mbps) and megabytes per second (MBps).

Increase Download Speed

Step 1: Learn About Your Internet Connection

• Your maximum download speed will depend on your computer's Internet connection.

Types of Internet Connections

1. Dial-up internet connections are connected through your phone line and are the most basic type of internet connections.
2. Broadband internet connections provide high speed internet access, which includes:
   1. DSL Internet connections.
   2. Cable Internet connections.

Upgrade Your Internet Connection

• If your Internet connection is too slow, you may want to contact your service provider to upgrade your connection. If your service provider can't give you the results you want, you may want to change service providers.

Increase Download Speed

Step 4: Prioritize Downloads to increase download speed

• Remember, your Internet connection provides a finite bandwidth capacity. The more files you try downloading at a time, the slower each download will be. To increase your download speed, you need to:

1. Limit your number of downloads.
   • Try only downloading one file at a time.
2. Limit the number of programs running while you download.
   • Open internet browsers and other programs will slow your Internet speeds.
   • Only keep the programs open you absolutely need.
3. Disable add-ons and extra tool bars.
4. Try downloading off peak hours (5 pm to 11 pm).
5. Try downloading when you are not using your computer for anything

Conclusion

• You don't have to be frustrated by slow download speeds. Follow these simple tips and soon you'll be downloading files to your heart's content.

Increase Download Speed

Step 2: Test to increase download speed

• Testing your connection will tell you if you are getting the speed promised by your Internet service provider. There are many online programs that allow you to test your internet connection for free. During an online speed test the website will send your computer a file and then measure how long it takes to download.

1. Choose a speed test, such as:
   1. SpeedTest.net: Speed Test
   2. McAfee: Speedometer
   3. Speakeasy: Speed Test
   4. CNet: Bandwidth Meter Online Speed Test
2. Once at the website, select the server nearest to your geographical location.
   • Enter any other information, such as area code, service provider or connection type.
3. Start the test.
4. The length of test will depend on the speed of your connection.
5. The results will be given in the form of a transfer rate (e.g., kbps).