How To Speed Up Steam Downloads in Windows 10

Steam is still one of the most popular gaming platforms on PC, with millions of active users. The app offers many games that can be purchased at affordable prices and played almost instantly. Often times, the most frustrating part of using Steam is waiting for a game to download. Modern game storage requirements increase yearly because of all the graphics and customization improvements. AAA titles can take as much as 100 GB from your system, which is enormous compared to older games.

How To Speed Up Steam Downloads in Windows 10

Downloads take a lot longer than they used to, primarily because of the larger file sizes. However, your download speed also plays a significant role. Other gamers might tell you to get a better connection or, but sometimes it feels like game downloads take forever even if you have fiber-optic internet. The problem could also be in-app issues or even your computer or due to poor connection server-side

Read on to find out how to speed up your steam downloads.

download size

Top 5 Ways to Download Steam Games Faster

Terminate Unnecessary Processes

Sometimes, too many applications and services use up computer resources. Eliminating unused processes opens up the RAM and CPU for other tasks, including downloads and any input/output processing needed to get those desired Steam Games. Here’s what to do to disable unnecessary processes in Windows 10.

  1. Open up “Task Manager” by pressing “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” and selecting it or by simply pressing “Ctrl + Shift + Esc.



  2. Right-click on unnecessary processes and select “End Task.” Be sure to close all browsers and other selective programs that can affect your download speed.


  3. At the bottom of the “Task Manager” window, click on “Open Resource Monitor,” then select the “Network tab” in “Resource Monitor” to see if something is hogging your bandwidth.


  4. If you find an app consuming all your bandwidth, you may want to end the task there as well. Right-click the process, then select “End Process Tree.” Be patient as it often takes time to remove it from the list.


Give Priority to Steam Downloads

You can also use the Task Manager to assure maximum download speed on Steam.

  1. Make sure Steam is running, and then open “Task Manager.


  2. Find the “Steam Client” on the list of processes, right-click it, and click “Go to details.


  3. Now, in the “Details window“, you need to right-click the “SteamService.exe” process and set its priority to High. This method might not do wonders for your Steam download speed, but at least it will prioritize it over other processes.



Note: Windows 10 does not save the setting after shutting down. You’ll need to switch the priority level after every bootup unless you use a third-party app like Prio or Process Hacker.

Check Your Download Region and Bandwidth Limit

Did you know that Steam uses your location for downloads? Your download speed gets affected by your region, but Steam can sometimes detect the wrong area. For optimal results, you should always select your location or the one closest to you.

You can choose your region by performing the following steps:

  1. Open the “Steam” app, then click on “Steam” in the top-left corner, and then select “Settings.


  2. Now, click on the “Downloads” section.


  3. From here, click on the “Download Region” dropdown menu, where you can select the “region” closest to you.


  4. Also, ensure that the “Limit bandwidth to” box us unchecked.

Sometimes, the area closest to you is not the most suitable option. This scenario is due to high traffic in that region, so selecting a different location can sometimes increase your download speed, even if it is further away.

Disable Your Antivirus and Firewall

Sometimes your firewall or antivirus programs interfere with your download speeds. Try to disable each of them to see if there is any change. Check out the manual or website of your antivirus provider to see how to disable it.

  1. Type firewall in the Cortana search box, then select “Windows Defender Firewall.

    Start menu
  2. Then, select Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.”

    Windows Firewall
  3. Finally, you need to confirm this by checking the box for “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall,” then select “OK.

Optimize Your Internet Connection

Not everyone can afford the best internet connection speeds, but at least you can optimize it to its full potential. First of all, try to use an Ethernet connection when downloading anything, including games on Steam. Wi-Fi does not always provide optimal download speeds.

Ensure your LAN drivers are up to date to reap the full benefits of this type of connection. Many programs easily update all your drivers, but most are expensive. DriverEasy comes in free and premium versions, suitable for downloading all the latest drivers.


Wrapping Up

In closing, slow internet speeds can be one of the most frustrating parts of trying to relax in modern society. Hopefully, the above suggestions (at least one, if not more) help speed up your Steam downloads, just in time for the next big Steam sale. Do you have any questions, tips or tricks related to speeding up your Steam downloads? Leave a comment in the section below.

28 thoughts on “How To Speed Up Steam Downloads in Windows 10”

Sirlolol says:
i tried everything . sadly nothing worked 🙁 , I´m desperate
UrMom says:
Sadly none of these tips were helpful for me. Wired connection here, theoretical max is 1Gbps, sure I’d be happy to have Steam downloading at half that, or even a quarter of that = 250Mbps would still be nice… in stead, it decides, systematically to download at 9,4Mbps… that’s it, never above, sometimes below. I have exhausted all above options… and I know it has nothing to do with network, cable, hardware or provider since every single other thing that I do other than steam is perfectly fine and I get normal -what you can expect- speeds, ranging between 250 and 870-ish Mbps… been testing it with different Speed-Testers and also with a more comprehensive Network analyzing tool. Also on workdays I connect my work-laptop (Webmaster) and same thing: no network-issues, bottlenecking or laggy connection, almost never… The moment I download anything via my Steam-client however = 9.4Mbps… each – and – every – time… days, nights, stormy weather, open skies… don’t matter, Steam says “**** u, I’m on strike”.

Dunno what the problem is, been looking online for advise or people with the same problems, all I can find are the same generic fixes you read every time you look stuff like this up online: “make sure your router is plugged in” Allright Cpt. Obvious… “make sure your device is connected to the right channel” No sh** Sherlock “make sure this and that… The tips above went beyond that so thanx anyway, just a bommer it didn’t do zip for me.

Steve Larner says:
For this issue, we need to think outside the box like a non-technical person with a unique point-of-view. Perhaps the issue is with the Steam application. Maybe try removing all traces of it—Wise Uninstaller works great at finding remnants after uninstalling, and so does Revo Uninstaller Pro, but Revo Pro is a paid app. Reboot afterwards and the reinstall Steam directly from their website. Also, sometimes, the possibility is that the drive (SSD and HDD) is failing in a location where an app holds data, leading to delays or failure in the app.
Feo123 says:
Bro you guys struggling with m/b IM DOWN TO KB
Dave says:
The steamservice.exe process doesn’t even exist on my system. The only app using the internet is Steam downloading a game. With Battlenet I get tremendous, unbelievable download speed, and I used to get that with Steam. Something funky going on. Steam is added to my allow list in my firewall, I tried the closest locations, I disabled the throttle while streaming. I cleared the Steam cache and it got WORSE! GRRRRRRR! Why Valve Gods, WHY??
Mrrrr says:
Not gonna disable firewall. But clearing the cache did it for me.
Shivam Randive says:
Just uncheck throttle download…. boom…
Snipersavage21 says:
Thank you this actually worked, now I dont have to wait a day to play apex with my friends! :DDD
Brecken says:
i was only getting like 9.4k/b and then i logged out of steam and turned off a tv and started geting 11.4 m/b.
ThunderHawk says:
I am installing cms 2018 in the middle of Australia and my download speed is never higher than 1.0 mb/s, and is usually 500 kb/s. I am using mobile hotspot/mobile data and it has five bars. please can I have some help.
Steve Larner says:
Your data bars (signal strength) are not the determining factor for your download speeds. The provider is. The provider controls bandwidth speeds using automated technology. Bandwidth often fluctuates based on use and the provider’s priority calculations.
David C says:
The “throttle downloads while streaming” box was checked on mine. lol.

Unchecked it and jumped from 14.8Mb/s to 85.

Thanks!!

Ankit Suhane says:
Disabling Firewall really worked and boosted my download speed. Awesome bro!

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