DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Windows uses 20% of your bandwidth! Get it back

20 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/windows-uses-20-of-your-bandwidth-get-it-back.2575/

K
keanu_reeves Original post #1
Nov 4, 2004 at 3:53 PM
A nice little tweak for XP. Microsoft reserve 20% of your available bandwidth for their own purposes (suspect for updates and interrogating your machine etc..)

Here's how to get it back:

Click Start-->Run-->type "gpedit.msc" without the "

This opens the group policy editor. Then go to:


Local Computer Policy-->Computer Configuration-->Administrative Templates-->Network-->QOS Packet Scheduler-->Limit Reservable Bandwidth


Double click on Limit Reservable bandwidth. It will say it is not configured, but the truth is under the 'Explain' tab :

"By default, the Packet Scheduler limits the system to 20 percent of the bandwidth of a connection, but you can use this setting to override the default."

So the trick is to ENABLE reservable bandwidth, then set it to ZERO. This will allow the system to reserve nothing, rather than the default 20%.
works on XP Pro, 2k & 2k3
other o/s not tested.
R
Nov 4, 2004 at 3:59 PM
r u experiencing faster download speedS?
alib_i
alib_i #4
Nov 4, 2004 at 5:33 PM
old
*www.thinkdigit.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8287&highlight=qos
*www.thinkdigit.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8064&highlight=qos
mail2and
Nov 4, 2004 at 5:37 PM
mmm came in digit in 2002 when xp was new
cooljeba
Nov 4, 2004 at 6:17 PM
98 here :p

..:: peace ::..
Jeba
W
Wizard #7
Nov 4, 2004 at 6:25 PM
And this tweak doesnt work in Win XP Home...( Too Bad )
K
Nov 4, 2004 at 6:47 PM
well this what i came across this and it worked for me an my friends. i am not a techie that's y i posted it here
vysakh
vysakh #9
Nov 4, 2004 at 7:03 PM
start run--gpedit.msc
cannot find
os winxp home + sp2
K
Nov 4, 2004 at 8:31 PM
that is microsoft's problem not mine :p
NikhilVerma
Nov 4, 2004 at 9:32 PM
That's why I use windows ME...
No such problem at all....
G
go4inet #12
Nov 4, 2004 at 10:39 PM
Determines the percentage of connection bandwidth that the system can reserve. This value limits the combined bandwidth reservations of all programs running on the system.

By default, the Packet Scheduler limits the system to 20 percent of the bandwidth of a connection, but you can use this setting to override the default.

If you enable this setting, you can use the "Bandwidth limit" box to adjust the amount of bandwidth the system can reserve.

If you disable this setting or do not configure it, the system uses the default value of 20 percent of the connection.

Important: If a bandwidth limit is set for a particular network adapter in the registry, this setting is ignored when configuring that network adapter.

I can view it....:)BTW by default it was not enabled. I use Windows XP Corporate Edition !!

With SP2 :)
drgrudge
drgrudge #13
Nov 5, 2004 at 1:33 PM
me too i cant see that...., use winxp(professional edition) with sp2
S
silkyboy #14
Nov 5, 2004 at 10:24 PM
thx bro, nice work
S
svenkat83 #15
Nov 5, 2004 at 10:30 PM
cooljeba said:
98 here :p

..:: peace ::..
Jeba

Thats a shocker.Jeba,I thought your PC runs on Linux. 8) :p
xenkatesh
xenkatesh #16
Nov 5, 2004 at 10:40 PM
Win 2000 HERE!!!!
S
Nov 5, 2004 at 10:54 PM
i gues i knew it or atleast heard it some where before
lavan_joy
lavan_joy #18
Nov 6, 2004 at 12:55 AM
I tried that an year ago.
It will increase the network speed (LAN).NOT INTERNET SPEED..
R
rockyj123 #19
Nov 6, 2004 at 11:31 AM
network speed.... wtf....... useless....
Ashis
Ashis #20
Nov 8, 2004 at 2:12 AM
Thanks Dude! :p