Configure Internet Explorer to download up to 10 files at a time

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 10 (and IE9 & IE8) 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:

1. Using Group Policy Setting
2. Editing Windows Registry
3. 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 Nameiexplore.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.However this Fix It works for Internet Explorer version 9 and earlier only.

This way you will be able to download up to 10 files simultaneously at the same time using Internet Explorer on your Windows.