Configure IE8 to download more than two files at one time

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By default, Windows Internet Explorer 7 and earlier versions limit the number of files that you can download at one time to two. Windows Internet Explorer 8 limits the number of files that you can download at one time to six. This change reflects the faster connection speeds that are now typical for most users. For dial-up connections, the limits from earlier versions still apply.

Start Registry Editor.

Locate the following key in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN\FeatureControl\FEATURE_MAXCONNECTIONSPERSERVER

On the Edit menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then add the following registry values:

Value name: iexplore.exe
Value data: 10
Base: Decimal

Note set this value to the connection limit that you want for HTTP 1.1 connections. By setting the value to 10, you increase the connection limit to 10.

Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MAIN\FeatureControl\FEATURE_MAXCONNECTIONSPER1_0SERVER

On the Edit menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then add the following registry values:

Value name: iexplore.exe
Value data: 10
Base: Decimal

Note set this value to the connection limit that you want for HTTP 1.1 connections. By setting the value to 10, you increase the connection limit to 10.
Exit Registry Editor.

Using Group Policy

Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.

Expand User Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, expand Windows Components, expand Internet Explorer, expand Security Features, and then expand AJAX.

Set the Maximum number of connections per server (HTTP 1.0) and Maximum number of connections per server (HTTP 1.1) options to the settings that you want.

You must update policies or restart the computer to apply these changes.