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26 May 2011 By ABradney-George

Which Free Download Manager Should You Choose?

26 May

A Guide To The Features And Functions Available In Different Free Download Managers.

Download managers are a great way to keep track of software, photos and other files that are downloaded from the internet onto a computer's hard drive. But should this type of service cost us more money?

While there are some download managers available for purchase, there are many free options as well. Most internet browsers come with an in-built download manager that has a range of organizational and security features. Often these features include:

Sending all downloads to a specific folder, which can be customized by the user
Showing the status of downloads
Storing download links so that a download can be paused and retrieved at a later date
Security checks and information about potentially dangerous or harmful downloads

Three of the most functional browser download managers come with Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. These download managers are often improved in browser updates and new releases. Firefox has gone one step further by announcing redesign plans for the download manager to complement the new release cycle and web browser blog Browser Scene predicts this will make management even easier.

While currently the download management options for all major browsers - Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Google Chrome and Opera - are functional, there is definitely room for improvement as the UX Lead at Mozilla, Alexander Limi, highlights on his blog.

Another Download Manager Option

The free download managers that come with browsers may be useful for many people, but they do not necessarily offer the best features for everyone. Finding a specialized download manager that is independent of web browsers allows users to choose what browser they use without worrying about the quality of the download manager.

These download managers also optimize download speed and come with additional features, like the language translation and BitTorrent support features that the highly praised download manager FDM or Free Download Manager offers. Yet there are still some gaps in the market for free download managers.

For this reason, Software.com has developed the Download Center, which gives users a range of download options to help manage and bundled related downloads, as well as access special offers on the site. Unlike other free download managers currently available, the Download Center is also being developed to allow users to sync with their Software.com account to ensure software is kept up-to-date.

What ever the reason for using a free download manager, the range of options currently available, and the improvements in this field are promising for every user. This will make finding the right download manager easier and less time consuming.