How to schedule downloads overnight on Windows
Big files are best downloaded while you sleep: the internet is often faster at night, and your PC is free during the day. Here's how to set it up with SwiftGrab in about a minute.
Step 1: Add your files to the queue
When SwiftGrab asks what to do with a new download, choose Schedule instead of Download. The file waits in the queue. Add as many as you like.
Step 2: Choose how many download at once
In the Queue menu, pick Download at the same time: one by one, 2, 3 or 5. One by one is best for slow connections. 3 at once is a good choice for fast ones.
Step 3: Open the Scheduler
- Tick Start the queue automatically at and choose a time, for example 01:00.
- If you want it to pause in the morning, tick Stop the queue at and pick a time, for example 07:00. Anything not finished continues the next night.
- Choose the days it should run (every day, or only weekends).
- Under When the queue is finished, choose Do nothing, Exit SwiftGrab, Put the computer to sleep or Shut down the computer.
Step 4: Make sure the PC stays awake
A sleeping PC can't download. Before you go to bed:
- Leave the PC on (you can turn off the screen).
- Check Settings → System → Power and set sleep to Never while plugged in, or at least longer than the downloads will take. SwiftGrab can put the PC to sleep for you when it's done.
- On a laptop, keep it plugged in.
Bonus: keep the internet usable during the day
If you do download during the day, set a speed limit in SwiftGrab's Settings so videos and video calls on other devices stay smooth. Remove the limit at night for full speed.
Why use a scheduler at all?
- Your connection isn't busy while you're working, gaming or watching videos.
- Large files are ready when you wake up.
- If the connection drops at night, SwiftGrab resumes the download by itself instead of failing.
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