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The latest version of a file downloader and management application that works with Windows 10

The latest version of a file downloader and management application that works with Windows 10

Vote: (405 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Free Internet Download Manager

Version: 3.9

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(405 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Free Internet Download Manager

3.9

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Prioritize and batch downloads
  • Pause and resume
  • Avoid corrupted files

Cons

  • UI in need of a redesign

Free Internet Download Manager is freeware for Windows that automates and eases the downloading of files from the Internet in batches or one at a time.

Free Internet Download Manager is a powerful tool whether you download files once in a while or dozens every day. You can use the program as often and as long you like at no cost. The application operates in standalone fashion, or you can use it directly from within practically any web browser. The program does a lot, but its core purpose is to schedule downloads. You can avoid peak usage times, organize batches and arrange projects, categories, files and more.

Free Internet Download Manager handles automatic organization as well. It uses filters for this purpose. There are numerous preconfigured filters, and you can create your own it for on a global basis or for specific projects. You can have the program dump all image files into a single folder or assign or sort images into folders for BMP, GIF, JPEG and more. This works for audio, video and even archives, which can be sorted as is or decompressed and then sorted.

The program can be seeded with a resource link directly or by clicking on a hyperlink, but you can also have it explore a site structure or multiple structures. The navigator can grab images, audio, video and more including resources to which it might not expose direct links. This grabbed content can be sorted, or it can be maintained as is for offline use. You can even set Free Internet Download Manager to periodically update your offline copy.

The program cannot only download multiple files simultaneously, but it can download multiple pieces of a single file concurrently if the providing server supports it. This helps the app to maximize your bandwidth, and it can also help improve speeds when a server caps bandwidth on a per-connection basis. This feature is also what makes pausing and resuming work as well as it does. You can opt to pause and resume, but the program can do it too for scheduling purposes. This also supports fixing corrupted files since the bad sections can simply be downloaded again.

Free Internet Download Manager isn’t without its warts. The menu and toolbar structure are antiquated both aesthetically and functionally. Once you learn your way around it, the UI is powerful, but getting there can be a hassle particularly for casual users attuned to modern interfaces.

Pros

  • Prioritize and batch downloads
  • Pause and resume
  • Avoid corrupted files

Cons

  • UI in need of a redesign