How to Control Internet and Network Traffic with NetLimiter on Windows

Currently, in many of our homes we enjoy fiber optic connections, but that does not mean that they can be reached on time. However, if we stream, use P2P clients such as torrent or Emule, or other programs that consume a lot of bandwidth, we can easily end up saturating our connection. What happens is that, when we run out of available bandwidth, it will be difficult for us to navigate fluently. If we want to solve this problem NetLimiter is the solution.

What NetLimiter offers us and its different versions

NetLimiter is a tool that offers users full control over their Internet connection. Thanks to it, we can decide which applications will have permission to connect to the Internet and how much total bandwidth we are going to assign to them.

Among the main functions of NetLimiter are:

• Total control of traffic with which we can set download and upload limits as well as priority for different applications.
• Internet traffic monitoring with which we will observe all the applications that connect and the amount of data that is transferred.
• The connection blocker that allows you to specify which applications can connect to the Internet and under what conditions.
• Quota settings that monitor the total size of the transferred data, where the user specifies the size, and when that value is exceeded, they can perform an action such as displaying a notification window or starting a predefined rule.

NetLimiter is offered in two versions, one Lite and one Pro. Both editions have the same basic functionality such as Internet traffic monitoring, priorities, limits and traffic graphs. The difference is that the Pro edition is the only one that supports rules, quotas, log and connection history, connection blocker, user permissions, remote control, administration, scheduler, filter and statistics editor, and more.

Download and install NetLimiter

The first thing we have to do is download this tool from its website . In this case we do not have a free version available. However, we have a trial version in which we can test NetLimiter unlimitedly. The period that we can use this tool without restrictions is 28 days. After this term ends, we must choose to buy the Pro or Lite version according to our needs.

Once the file is downloaded, in this case NetLimiter 4, we execute it and proceed with its installation. You only have to follow the steps indicated on the screen. At the end, the process will show a screen like this.

Here we click on Run , if we want to run it directly or on Finish if we simply want to finish the installation.

The NetLimiter main screen

The first time we start the program, a screen like this will appear, with a list of processes with Internet connections.

The upload and download speed of the programs is displayed for each one, and we can also see the existing rules immediately on the screen.

At the top we have the main menu with the following options:

• File : offers us the possibility of connecting locally or remotely. It also allows us to disconnect.
• Tools : here we can manage permissions and the statistics administrator. In addition, in options we can configure the service sections that we want to have enabled and on the client side we can choose to customize it by choosing theme, languages and more.
• Window : in this section, as its name indicates, we will access windows with a list of filters, rules, connection history, etc.
• Help : the typical information section in case we need to do something specific.

Set priority, upload and download rules

Now we are going to start to put some examples of how to establish rules with NetLimiter in a simple way. This time to do the tests, and show some working examples, I have decided to establish the rules on the Internet browser Firefox. What we have to do is on the left side of NetLimiter in the Name section, find Firefox and click on it.

In the red box you have 7 buttons to create the priority rules, download limit, upload limit, block input, block output, entry fee and exit fee. We are going to start with the first button to create a priority rule , if we click on it we will have these options:

Here we can establish that when the bandwidth is to be distributed that program has a low, normal, high or critical priority. This is ideal to give preference to an application that we do not want to run out of enough bandwidth.

The second button is to establish a download limit rule that we must configure like this:

What I am going to do in this case is limit the download speed to 333.1 Mbit / s in Firefox. To do this we write 333.1, change to Mbit / s and click on Done .

In the third button we create the upload limit rule for Firefox and we will do it like this:

As we want to limit the rise as in the previous rule, we copy its values and when we finish we touch Done .

The best way to check is by opening Firefox and running a speed test. In my case I have a 600 Mb connection and these are the results I have obtained:

As you can see, it has limited the speed and has not reached 6o0 Mb / s. However, it has not stayed at 333 Mb / s, but that is normal. The reason is because the limitation is done gradually, and since the test is short, it takes a little time to arrive.

Blocking rules, quotas and charts

Next, following the order established above, we have the fourth button to create a rule to block entry . We will configure it like this:

Here we have 3 options to ask, allow and deny. On this occasion I have selected Ask that what it will do is that when I start Firefox it asks me if I give it access to the Internet. The other two are allow to give direct access and deny to remove it.

Then we have the fifth button for creating a rule to block the output . In this case we will put this value:

Here we will configure the same as in the previous button by asking. Once this is done, each time we start the Internet browser Firefox or the program that we have selected, a screen like this will appear.

Now we have to choose whether we want to allow or deny Internet access to Firefox.

The sixth button is to create an entry quota rule and is configured the same as the download and upload limits.

Then the seventh button is to create the exit quota rule that we could configure like this:

As we mentioned before, what quota rules do is monitor the total size of the transferred data and when that value set by the user is exceeded, it displays a notification window or starts a predefined rule.

Once finished, we see on the left side how the buttons of the rules that we have created appear activated. In addition, on the right side in the Rules section you can see the values that we have established and if we click on Add rule we can also create it from there.

Finally, NetLimiter offers us a complete range of graphics. To do this, in the main menu, we go to Window and click on Traffic statistics . Also on the right under the Rules section that we have just seen you have a shortcut with the same name.

Here you can create a series of charts using time filters, applications, users and more.