Unfortunately, Windows doesn't offer any simple way to limit the speed of specific processes (unless it's about its own updates). For this reason, many developers have decided to include limiters in their programs, but what can we do when that option doesn't exist? A free application called TMeter focuses on connection management, but it also includes a traffic shaper that reduces the transfer speed on any active process.
This is a very common problem, and much older than we think: there will always be a program or service that "chokes" the available bandwidth, affecting all download and/or streaming operations. A good example is Windows Update, and Microsoft was forced to incorporate a limiter so that downloading hotfixes doesn't ruin the computer's connectivity.
Another case worth mentioning is BitTorrent. Downloads based on this protocol tend to destroy connections (and even hang some old routers), however, its clients allow applying restrictions relatively easily. So, how do we do that in other programs? A classic option for this task is NetLimiter, but its subscription of 29 dollars for two years doesn't go down well. The alternative is TMeter, which although it has a more advanced profile, brings everything we need, and its creator offers a freeware edition.
How to limit transfer speed with TMeter
- After you download and install TMeter, its first run asks you to select the main network interface. This step is very important, otherwise the limiter won't work. Also, leave the operation mode in "Active", which is already selected by default.
- The second step requires entering the 'Process Definitions' section under the 'Configuration' category. There we click 'Add', assign a name to the new definition, and then look for the path of the program we want to limit. Once its executable is located, we confirm by clicking 'Apply'.
- Now we go to the 'Filterset' section within 'Configuration'. We click 'Add', select 'Filter', and that will open the filter editor. With the 'Ruleset' tab selected, we click 'Add Rule'. First we fill the 'Rule Description' field with a name. In the 'Source' menu we choose 'Local Process', and in the 'Process Definition' list we mark the definition we configured before. A click on 'OK' will take us back to the 'Ruleset' tab.
- With the new rule selected, the rest is a matter of checking the 'Enable Speed Limit' box, and specifying a speed in kilobytes per second. We press Accept to close the filter editor, give another click on 'Apply'. The last step is to click on the 'Start Capture' button.
To finish, it's necessary to remember that traffic shaping is not 100% exact. That means you'll have to reconfigure the limit more than once to achieve the desired speed, and it also depends on factors like the program/service, and the file to download. Try it!
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