[Grizzly]

The reason for I want this sort of thing is simple: We have an awfull lot of computers, and only one internet connection. When I start steam up, and it wants to download, say, a TF2 update - someone is going to want someone dead.

As a result, I'd like to limit the download speeds on my computer. Downloadhelper for Firefox can limit it's own speed, but steam, gamersgate, and every damn built in update manager in every damn game I have for some bizarre reason can not.

So does anyone have any good suggestions?

[The E]

A quick googling suggests a program called netlimiter, which apparently can be used to throttle a program's download rate.

[Grizzly]

Which unfortunately costs money to do so.

[deathfun]

Well, what you could always do is not download things like this until such time as nobody else is on a computer. It would solve the issue at hand, and it doesn't cost any

[S-99]

Mess around with quality of service in your router. If you're router lets you of course. You can limit speeds for any kind of traffic at certain times of day and days.

I don't know you're setup however.

[headdie]

I anly had a quick look but this looked interesting http://bandwidthcontroller.com/trafficShaperXp.html

edit

googled free download limiter

[MP-Ryan]

How has only one person mentioned QoS router settings so far?  This problem is practically what that functionality is designed for.

...and doesn't Windows have QoS built into it too?  I swear there's a way to restrict bandwidth to particular programs natively in Windows.  Under Administrative Tools -> Services, IIRC.

[Davros]

its in group policy management console
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771283.aspx#BKMK_PolicyProfile