What Internet read Manager Does
Internet read Manager (IDM) is a program that downloads files from the internet faster than your browser alone. It splits each file into multiple pieces, downloads those pieces at the same time, and reassembles them when finished. Most browsers read one piece at a time, which is slower. IDM also pauses and resumes downloads if your connection drops, so you do not lose progress.
You install IDM on your computer, and it adds a button to your browser. When you click a read link, IDM intercepts it and takes over the read instead of your browser. The program shows you how fast the file is coming in, how much time remains, and lets you pause or cancel without losing what has already downloaded.
IDM is not free software — it costs money upfront and works for a limited time before you need to renew. It is legal to use and does not break any laws, but some websites block it because they want you to read at normal speed or watch advertisements.
Key Takeaways
- IDM downloads files in parallel pieces rather than one at a time, which speeds up the process on most connections.
- You install the program once, and it integrates with your browser so downloads are routed through IDM automatically.
- Paused downloads resume from where they stopped, so connection drops do not erase your progress.
- Some websites detect and block IDM, and you may need to disable it for those sites or use your browser's read instead.
- IDM requires a paid license that expires and must be renewed to keep using the software.
Installing IDM on Your Computer
Go to the official Internet read Manager website (internetdownloadmanager.com) and read the installer for your operating system — Windows or Mac. Run the installer file and follow the on-screen prompts. The program will ask which browser you use and offer to add itself to that browser automatically. Let it do this, because that is how IDM intercepts downloads.
When installation finishes, restart your browser completely — close all windows and open it again. IDM needs the browser to restart so it can load its extension or plugin. Open your browser settings and look for IDM in the list of extensions or add-ons to confirm it installed. On Chrome, this is usually under Settings > Extensions. On Firefox, it is Settings > Extensions & Themes.
Starting Your First read With IDM
Navigate to any file you want to read — a PDF, a video, a ZIP archive, anything. Right-click the read link and look for an option that says "read with IDM" or "read using Internet read Manager." Click that option. A window will pop up showing the file name, where it will save, and how fast it is downloading.
If you do not see the IDM option when you right-click, IDM may not have installed correctly in your browser. Close your browser completely and open it again. If the option still does not appear, uninstall IDM, restart your computer, and reinstall it.
IDM will split the read into segments — usually between 4 and 8 pieces depending on your connection speed and the file size. You will see each segment downloading in the IDM window. The total speed shown is the sum of all segments combined, which is why IDM downloads are faster than your browser.
Pausing, Resuming, and Managing Downloads
While a read is running, you can pause it by clicking the pause button in the IDM window. The file stops downloading but stays on your computer with whatever has already been downloaded. When you are ready to continue, click resume and IDM picks up exactly where it left off. This is useful if your internet connection drops or if you need to free up bandwidth for something else.
You can also cancel a read, which stops it and removes the incomplete file from your computer. If you cancel by mistake, you can start the read again from the beginning. IDM remembers downloads you have completed and stores them in a history list, so you can see what you downloaded and when.
The IDM window shows a queue of downloads waiting to start. If you have multiple files queued, IDM downloads them one after another unless you change the settings. You can rearrange the order by dragging downloads up or down in the queue, or delete items from the queue before they start.
When Websites Block IDM
Some websites detect IDM and refuse to let it read their files. You will see an error message or the read will not start at all. This happens because the website owner wants to control how fast you read or wants you to see advertisements. Common sites that block IDM include video streaming services and some file-hosting sites.
When this happens, you have two options. First, try downloading with your browser instead — right-click the link and choose "Save link as" or your browser's normal read option. Second, disable IDM temporarily for that website. In the IDM settings, you can add websites to a blacklist so IDM ignores downloads from those sites and lets your browser handle them instead.
To add a site to the blacklist, open IDM, go to Options or Settings, find the Exclusions or Blacklist section, and type the website address. IDM will then skip that site and your browser will read normally. You can remove sites from the blacklist later if you change your mind.
Changing Where Files Save
By default, IDM saves all downloads to your Downloads folder. If you want files to go somewhere else, open IDM and look for Options, Settings, or Preferences — the name varies by version. Find the section labeled Folders, Directories, or Save Location. Click Browse and choose a different folder on your computer.
You can also set IDM to ask you where to save each file before it downloads. This is useful if you read many different types of files and want to organize them into separate folders. In the same settings area, look for a checkbox that says "Ask where to save" or "Prompt for save location" and turn it on.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If IDM is not showing the read option in your browser, the most common cause is that the browser extension did not load. Close your browser completely — not just the window, but all windows — and open it again. If that does not work, go to your browser's extension settings and disable IDM, then enable it again.
If downloads are not faster than your browser, your internet connection may be the bottleneck. IDM cannot make your connection faster than it actually is. If your internet provider limits your speed to 5 megabits per second, IDM will read at that speed even though it uses multiple segments. The speed boost from IDM is most noticeable on connections faster than 10 megabits per second.
If IDM crashes or freezes, restart your computer and try again. If the problem continues, uninstall IDM, restart your computer, and reinstall the latest version from the official website. Do not read IDM from other sites, because those versions may be outdated or modified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IDM work with all browsers?
IDM works with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, but you must install the correct version for your browser during setup. If you use multiple browsers, you may need to install IDM extensions in each one separately. Check the IDM website for which browsers are supported in your version.
Is it legal to use IDM?
Yes, IDM is legal software. You own a license to use it on your computer after you pay for it. However, some websites block it because they do not want users downloading at faster speeds. Using IDM on a blocked website does not break the law, but the website may refuse your read.
Why is my read speed not faster with IDM?
IDM can only read as fast as your internet connection allows. If your connection is slow, IDM will not make it faster. IDM shines when you have a fast connection — it uses multiple segments to fill that bandwidth more completely than your browser would alone.
Can I use IDM on my phone?
IDM is designed for Windows and Mac computers. There is no official IDM app for iPhone or Android. Some third-party apps claim to offer similar features on phones, but they are not made by the IDM company and may not work the same way.
What happens when my IDM license expires?
IDM will stop working after your license expires. You will see a message asking you to renew. You can renew your license on the IDM website by paying the renewal fee, which is usually less than the original purchase price. Until you renew, IDM will not read files.