Internet Download Manager FAQ

Open Help → Check for Updates. When a newer release is available, the app shows an update dialog with a Download update option.

It appears when the same download is already present in the downloader list. If that entry has been removed, downloading it again does not trigger the duplicate dialog.

Yes. Resume support depends on the source server, but supported transfers can be paused and continued later.

The download button uses the latest published release from this project's GitHub repository.

Open the Downloads page for the latest published version, release date, installer size, release notes, and SHA-256 digest if GitHub provides one.

Check the release notes on the Downloads page for supported Windows versions. Windows may ask for administrator permission while installing.

Some file servers do not send a reliable file-size value before a transfer begins. In that case, the app can show the size after it receives the necessary response or download data.

A server may require a fresh link, sign-in, or browser session, or it may not support resuming. Check that the link is still valid and try again; protected or unsupported sources may not work.

Share the app version, Windows version, steps to reproduce, and any error text on the project's support page. Do not post passwords, private download links, or personal files.

Internet Download Manager (IDM) is a free Windows download manager that speeds up downloads with dynamic multi-connection technology, organizes downloads by category, and can pause and resume supported transfers.

Yes. It is free to download and use — no email address or credit card is required.

It splits each file into segments that download simultaneously over multiple connections (dynamic multi-connection downloads), using your available bandwidth more fully than a single-connection download.

Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, through the browser integration extension. Supported links are passed from the browser into the desktop app.

The installer is published from this project's GitHub releases, and the Downloads page lists release details. Windows may show a SmartScreen prompt for newly published apps; you can verify the release notes before installing.

Version 1.5.68. The Downloads page always shows the latest published version, release date, and installer size.

Yes. IDM supports Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11.

Both are free Windows download managers with multi-connection downloads. IDM focuses on dynamic segmentation, simple queue scheduling, and a lightweight desktop workflow, while Free Download Manager also supports torrents. Choose based on which feature set fits your needs.