Stop background downloads lagging your games

Steps

1. Start Interlimiter before you launch the game. It asks for administrator rights because it loads a network driver. Closing the window sends it to the tray; your rules keep working.
2. Find the program filling the line. Click the “Download” header and the busiest program moves to the top. The bold row at the very top is your computer's total. It is usually a game launcher, a browser or a cloud sync app.
3. Open the rule window. Double-click the row, or select it and press Enter.
4. Set a download limit below your line speed. On a 50 Mbit/s line, for example, give the download 20 Mbit/s and the rest is left for the game and voice chat. Choose Mbit/s as the unit to compare it directly with your line speed.
5. Click Apply and go back to your game. Within a few seconds the download drops to the speed you set and keeps running. When you finish playing, select the row and press Del to remove the limit.

Tips

• If you use voice chat or stream, check the upload side too: lag also rises when a backup app fills your upload. You can tick the upload limit in the same window.
• Do not put a limit on the game itself. A limited program's packets are held back briefly, which adds delay to that program; other programs are not affected.
• To pause every limit, untick “Limits on” in the toolbar. Your rules are not deleted, only paused.

Result

The download keeps going and your game uses the rest of the line. When you are done, remove the limit with one key.

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