Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Use wget URL to download a file from a Linux server’s shell. Add -O when you need an exact filename, -P when you need a destination directory, -c to continue an existing partial download, and --limit-rate or -b to control long-running jobs. The examples below show how to choose the right combination without accidentally overwriting files or crawling more of a site than intended.
Need a server to try this on? Antihost offers Linux VPS plans with NVMe storage, full root access and a 14-day free trial.
What wget does on a Linux server
wget is a non-interactive command-line network downloader. You run it from an SSH session, a local terminal, a scheduled job, or another shell on Linux; it does not provide a graphical download window or require you to stay at a browser page. The command requests the URL, writes the response to disk, and prints progress and errors in the terminal unless you select another mode.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The GNU Project manual currently surfaced for this guide is GNU Wget 1.25.0. A distribution may ship another release, so check the copy installed on your server before relying on an option:
wget --version
man wgetThe manual page on the actual machine is the authority for its installed build, compiled features, and option spelling. The commands in this guide use the long-standing options documented in the GNU manual and common Linux man pages.
#1 Best Overall
- BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING GLASSES: Our blue light glasses for women boast UV400 protection, blocking harmful blue rays from computer screens. With these bluelight glasses women, you can enjoy gaming, reading, or watching TV with no worries of eye strain.
- EYE RELIEF: Our blue light glasses are engineered to reduce blurry vision or strain caused by prolonged screen time. These womens blue light glasses aid in better sleep by preventing blue light from disrupting your natural sleep cycle, helping you fall asleep faster and enjoy a more restful night's sleep, making them the perfect christmas present.
- COMFORTABLE: Crafted from durable material, our trendy blue light glasses for woman or blue light glasses men ensure long-lasting comfort. The high-transmittance lenses accessories, gamer gifts for men, help keep your eyes relaxed. Perfect stocking stuffers, gifts for gamers men, christmas gifts for men, halloween costumes.
- LIGHTWEIGHT: These clear blue light glasses feature a lightweight frame, meaning they’ll stay comfy for long-term wear. Perfect as blue blockers glasses for women or mens blue light glasses, these non-prescription fake glasses for men can be worn throughout the day. The blue light blocking glasses women feature polycarbonate HD lenses, which are anti-reflective and restore true color.
- WORRY-FREE PURCHASE: If you experience any issues, our support team is ready to assist you quickly. These are the perfect costume glasses for cosplay dressing up.
Prepare the destination before downloading
Most wget mistakes are really path or filename mistakes. Confirm where the shell is currently operating and whether the account can write there:
pwd
ls -ld .
df -hpwd displays the current directory. A bare download is written there by default. ls -ld . helps reveal ownership and permission bits, while df -h shows available filesystem space. For a server image, archive, or other large object, check free space before starting rather than discovering a full filesystem at the end.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsCreate a dedicated directory when you want downloads kept separate from application files:
mkdir -p ~/downloadsThe -p option for mkdir creates missing parent directories and does nothing harmful if the directory already exists. It is independent of wget’s similarly named options.
Download one file
The simplest command
Pass the complete URL as the final argument:
wget https://example.com/releases/game-server.tar.gzwget saves the response in the current directory, normally using the filename indicated by the URL. When the command finishes successfully, inspect the directory:
ls -lhThis is the right starting point when the URL’s final filename is acceptable and the current directory is the intended destination.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Choose an exact filename with -O
Use an uppercase letter O followed by the complete output path or filename:
wget -O latest-hugo.zip https://example.com/downloads/hugo.zipHere the resulting file is named latest-hugo.zip in the current directory, regardless of the name in the URL. A full path also selects the directory:
wget -O /srv/backups/nightly.tar.gz https://example.com/export.tar.gzChoose a path that the account can write. If a file with that name already exists, treat -O as an explicit replacement instruction and verify the path first; it is not a way to preserve multiple automatically generated names.
Rank #2
- WINDEX GAMING WIPES: effortlessly clean all your gaming gear and gaming electronics in one easy step with our new Windex Gaming Wipes
- AMMONIA FREE: our ammonia-free formula is safe to use on all of your favorite gaming equipment like consoles, headsets, controllers, screens, keyboards, and more
- PRE-MOISTENED WIPES: each wipe instantly removes dust, dirt, and stubborn smudges and fingerprints leaving a streak-free shine
- ANTI-STATIC: great for cleaning and wiping down your gaming gear and electronics leaving behind no visible residue
- COMPACT RESEALABLE PACKAGE: store your pack of Windex Gaming Wipes anywhere in your home for whenever a quick and easy wipedown is needed
Choose a directory with -P
Use a capital P when you want wget to keep its normal filename behavior but place the result in a particular directory:
wget -P ~/downloads https://example.com/releases/game-server.tar.gzThe downloaded file will be placed under ~/downloads. This is convenient when a URL’s filename is meaningful and you only need to redirect where it is stored.
-O and -P overlap. A full path supplied to -O already specifies the location, so adding -P is redundant; Linuxize notes this as a practical caveat. Pick one clear destination method instead of combining them accidentally.
Option reference for common single-file jobs
| Need | Option | Example | What it changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download normally | none | wget URL |
Saves in the current directory. |
| Set the output name or full path | -O name |
wget -O latest.zip URL |
Uses the exact name or path you provide. |
| Set only the destination directory | -P dir |
wget -P ~/downloads URL |
Places the normally named file under dir. |
| Continue a partial file | -c |
wget -c URL |
Requests continuation of an earlier local partial download. |
| Throttle transfer speed | --limit-rate=rate |
--limit-rate=200k |
Caps wget’s transfer rate; k and m suffixes represent bytes. |
| Start in the background | -b |
wget -b URL |
Moves wget to the background immediately after startup. |
| Set retry attempts | --tries=N |
--tries=5 URL |
Sets the number of retries; the documented default is 20, while 0 or inf means unlimited retries. |
Resume an interrupted download safely
Continue the same local file
If a transfer stopped and its partial file is still present in the working location, rerun the URL with -c:
wget -c https://example.com/images/disk-image.isowget examines the local file and asks the server for the remaining portion when the server supports partial downloads. Run the command from the directory containing that partial file, or use the same destination arrangement you used originally. If you originally selected a custom name with -O, use that same name again:
wget -c -O ~/downloads/disk-image.iso https://example.com/images/disk-image.isoKeep the local filename, path, and URL consistent. Moving or renaming the partial file means wget may not find the data it is supposed to continue.
When the server cannot resume
Continuation depends on the remote server supporting partial-range downloads. The GNU manual warns that, without that support, wget restarts the transfer and overwrites the existing file completely. This is especially important for multi-gigabyte images: check the server behavior before assuming -c will save time or bandwidth.
If a restart would be unacceptable, stop and investigate the server’s documentation or test with a disposable file first. Do not treat the presence of a local partial file as proof that continuation is available.
Control bandwidth, retries, and process lifetime
Limit the transfer rate
On a shared server, cap the download so it does not consume the entire link:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- Ergonomic & Adjustable Design: Fight "text neck" and improve your posture. Designed for comfort, it offers an adjustable height (7.1in-8.5in) (1.4in adjustable range) and angle (5°-85°) Please note: cell phone stand is only 9 inches tall—the length of a standard pencil
- Without blocking subtitles Perfect for office desk Tiktok Face Time Zoom video—this is the ultimate kitchen desk essential for phones! Perfect viewing experience while reducing neck back strain, A must-have for gamers streamers desk, and anyone who values both style and support!
- Sleek & Stable Design fits Otterbox Case: Say goodbye to bent cables, tangles, and tip-overs! LISEN’s stylish adjustable desk phone holder features a built-in charging hole and smart cable management, keeping your phone secure and your workspace clutter-free cool gadgets for men
- ANTI-SLIP DESIGN free hands: The under 10.00 items easy gadgets back and the bottom of this kitchen essentials for women are fully covered by anti-skid silicone, which LISEN stand up desk decor can provide maximum protection device from any scratches and slides
- Your Perfect Viewing Companion:If your product arrives damaged or breaks within 365 days, reach out to LISEN for a quick and hassle-free solution. Struggling with assembly, like tightening the screw? We’ve got your back! Your experience matters to us. (Product including: phone Holder stand*1, screw*1, hexagon screwdriver*1, specification*1)
wget --limit-rate=200k https://example.com/assets/patch.zipThe documented syntax accepts byte-rate suffixes such as k and m. A 500 KB/s cap can be used for a larger scheduled transfer:
wget --limit-rate=500k -P ~/downloads https://example.com/assets/archive.tarThe cap affects wget’s own transfer. It does not reserve bandwidth for other services or guarantee a particular completion time.
Run wget in the background
Add -b when the command should return control of the shell immediately:
wget -b https://example.com/assets/large-file.isowget switches to the background after startup. Keep the terminal session available long enough to confirm that startup succeeded, then monitor the output and destination file using normal shell tools. The exact background log filename is implementation-dependent enough that you should consult man wget for the installed version rather than assuming one.
Choose a retry policy
The documented default is 20 attempts. Set a finite value when a job should fail rather than retry indefinitely:
wget --tries=5 https://example.com/assets/update.binUse --tries=0 or --tries=inf for unlimited retries when an unattended job is intentionally allowed to continue until the server responds. Unlimited retries can leave a scheduled process running far longer than expected, so pair them with an operational timeout or monitoring policy outside wget if your environment requires one.
Download a directory tree with recursion
Understand what -r does
Recursion tells wget to follow links and retrieve a directory tree rather than one object:
wget -r https://example.com/gallery/The default maximum recursion depth is 5. Use -l depth to set a different limit. -l 0 or -l inf removes the depth limit:
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchwget -r -l 2 https://example.com/gallery/Start with a small, explicit depth when you are learning a site’s structure. Unlimited depth can generate a very large job and may traverse links you did not intend to collect.
Rank #4
- Easy Installation: Our gaming lights have been designed to enhance your entertainment experience. Simply position the led light bar next to your TV or game console to create a game room environment with ease. They come with USB power and a 60 inch cord for direct mounting and mobility
- Audio Syncing & Extensive Mode: The built-in high-sensitivity music sensor allows you to sync the TV led lights to your favorite music. Lights react and move to the beat of music, film and game audio, creating an incredible immersive sound and light experience – and all without the need for an additional hub. You can choose from 64+ patterns, including strobe, illusion, jump, energy, gradient, running, chasing, fluttering mode etc. Each mode can be applied to different scenes
- 64+ Chasing IC+RGB & W Effect: The independent control design of IC+RGB and white all-in-one multifunctional rgbw led bar lights monitor backlight allows you to easily switch the led lights for desk between IC+RGB and white to enjoy a variety of lighting effects, you can choose white lighting mode with high brightness for better illumination when working, etc. Choose IC+RGB lighting mode when you need to create an entertaining atmosphere for the light show, 16 million colours of Color changing rgb light bar let you dance to the beat and create a dynamic party atmosphere
- Dynamic and Dimmable Lights: 1%-full brightness free brightness adjustment gives you the flexibility to adjust dimmable led light bar for room decorations or a variety of occasions
- USB Powered: USB light bars for room can be powered by powernank, usb charger, TV, Monitor, laptop PC mainframe, making behind TV led lighting bar easy to install in any location.TV led lights are powered by the TV usb interface / PC mainframe, can be turned on/off synchronously with TV / PC
Keep wget below the starting directory
Add --no-parent when the starting URL represents a directory and wget must not climb to its parent:
wget -r -l 2 --no-parent https://example.com/gallery/Without this boundary, links leading above the starting path can expand the download beyond the directory you selected. Keep the trailing slash on a directory URL so the scope is unambiguous.
Filter by file type
Use --accept to include extensions or --reject to exclude them. For an image gallery:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →wget -r --accept=jpg,png,gif https://example.com/gallery/The comma-separated list limits the files wget stores, while recursion still determines which links it examines. Test the pattern on a shallow directory before launching a large crawl.
Protect a shared server during recursion
Recursive jobs create many requests and can consume substantial disk space and bandwidth. Set a sensible depth, add --limit-rate when appropriate, and inspect the destination between runs. Deep recursion is heavy and may be blocked by a web server; a smaller, targeted download is usually easier to control.
Mirror a website for local viewing
--mirror is a convenience combination equivalent to -r -N -l inf --no-remove-listing. It enables recursion without a depth limit and uses timestamp checking, so it should be treated as a broad synchronization-style operation rather than a single-file download.
For a local copy that includes the assets required by pages and rewrites links for offline viewing, combine it with -p and -k:
wget --mirror -p -k https://example.com/-p: fetches page requisites.-k: converts links for local viewing.
Scope a mirror carefully. Start from the intended site or directory URL, consider --no-parent when the starting point is below the domain root, and use a rate limit on a shared connection:
wget --mirror --no-parent --limit-rate=500k -P ~/site-copy https://example.com/docs/Because --mirror implies unlimited recursion, do not use it as a substitute for a bounded -r -l depth command when you only need a few levels.
Best Value
- Compatible with Wide Screens - To ensure compatibility with the dual monitor mount, your each monitor must meet three conditions at the same time: First, computer screens size range: 13 to 32 inches. Second, screen weight range: 4.4 to 19.8 lbs. Third, the back of the monitor screen must have VESA mounting holes with a pitch of 75x75mm or 100x100mm.
- Regarding the compatibility with desks - Your desk must meet three conditions at the same time: First, desk material: Only wooden desks are recommended, plastic or glass desks cannot be used. Second, desk thickness range: 0.59" - 3.54". Third, the bottom of the desk should not have any cross beams or panels, as this will interfere with installation. We recommend carefully checking that your desk and monitors meets all above conditions before purchasing.
- Dual C-Clamp Hold - Worried your dual monitors might wobble or slip? Our upgraded base uses a larger platform plus a dual C-clamp structure to lock the dual monitor arm firmly to your desk. Each arm safely keeps your screens steady while you type, click and game—no shaking, no sliding, just a clean and secure setup you can trust every day. It also provides Grommet Mounting installation choice, both options ensure stable and secure fixation for your 0.59" - 3.54" desk.
- Full-Motion Adjustment For Comfortable View - Pull the screen closer when you’re deep in a spreadsheet, push it back to watch videos, or rotate to portrait for coding — moving everything smoothly with just one hand. The monitor stand offers +85°/-50° tilt, ±90° swivel and 360° rotation. Raise your monitor up to 15.75″ to support a healthy sitting posture. Whether you’re working from home, gaming through the night, or switching between video calls and documents, getting the screens to your natural line of sight helps relieve neck, shoulder and back strain so you can stay focused longer with less fatigue.
- Keep Your Desk Organized: By lifting both screens off the desktop, this dual monitor stand opens up valuable space for your keyboard, notebook, docking station or a simple, clutter-free work area. Built-in cable management guides wires along the arms, keeping cords out of sight and out of the way. Enjoy a tidy, modern workstation that looks as good as it feels to use.
Combine options for a long-running server job
Options can be combined to express the operational requirements of one transfer. This example starts in the background, retries five times, limits speed to 500 KB/s, and stores the result under a chosen directory:
wget -b --tries=5 --limit-rate=500k -P ~/downloads https://example.com/file.isoRead the command from left to right before pressing Enter:
Recommended Free Tools
-breturns the shell after wget starts.--tries=5prevents more than five attempts.--limit-rate=500kcaps the transfer rate at 500 kilobytes per second.-P ~/downloadsselects the destination directory.- The URL identifies the remote object.
Use -c in the same pattern only when you are deliberately continuing an existing partial file and have confirmed that the server supports partial downloads:
wget -b -c --tries=5 --limit-rate=500k -P ~/downloads https://example.com/file.isoPractical command recipes
| Situation | Command | Why this form fits |
|---|---|---|
| One file in the current directory | wget https://example.com/file.zip |
Uses the URL’s normal filename and current directory. |
| Stable name for a script | wget -O current.zip https://example.com/releases/file.zip |
Downstream scripts can always refer to current.zip. |
| Keep downloads together | wget -P ~/downloads https://example.com/file.zip |
Changes the directory without changing normal naming. |
| Continue after a dropped connection | wget -c https://example.com/file.iso |
Uses the partial local file if the server supports continuation. |
| Shared connection | wget --limit-rate=200k https://example.com/file.iso |
Applies a 200 KB/s cap. |
| Unattended but bounded retries | wget -b --tries=5 URL |
Starts in the background and stops after five attempts. |
| Two levels of a directory | wget -r -l 2 --no-parent https://example.com/files/ |
Recurses to depth 2 without climbing above /files/. |
| Selected image types | wget -r --accept=jpg,png,gif https://example.com/gallery/ |
Recurses while accepting the listed extensions. |
| Offline-oriented site copy | wget --mirror -p -k https://example.com/ |
Uses mirror recursion, fetches page requisites, and rewrites links. |
Troubleshoot the result
The file is in the wrong place
Run pwd before a bare download. If you used -P, verify that the directory exists and is writable. If you used -O, inspect the complete path in that option; a full path there takes precedence over any expectation that -P will relocate it.
The command says permission denied
The account cannot write to the selected directory or replace the selected filename. Choose a directory under your home folder, create a writable staging directory, or have an administrator assign the required permissions. Avoid changing permissions broadly just to make one download work.
-c starts over
Confirm that the partial file still exists under the expected name and that you are running wget in the directory containing it. Then check whether the remote server supports partial downloads. If it does not, wget’s documented behavior is to restart and overwrite the file.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The recursive job downloads too much
Replace unlimited or broad recursion with -r -l depth --no-parent, lower the depth, and add --accept or --reject filters. A mirror intentionally uses unlimited recursion, so use bounded recursion when the target is a small subset.
The transfer overwhelms the connection
Add --limit-rate=200k or another rate appropriate to the server. For a very large job, combine the cap with a finite --tries value and monitor the destination’s free space.
You cannot tell which version is running
Use wget --version and read man wget. Distribution packages can differ from the GNU manual version 1.25.0, and the local manual documents the behavior you actually have.
A preflight checklist
- Confirm the URL, current directory, destination path, and available disk space.
- Choose one naming strategy: normal URL naming,
-Ofor an exact path, or-Pfor a directory. - Use
-conly for a matching local partial file and a server that supports continuation. - Set
--limit-rateon shared links or when a large transfer should be restrained. - Set
--tries=Nwhen an unattended job must have a finite retry budget. - For recursion, choose a depth, add
--no-parent, and filter extensions when appropriate. - Reserve
--mirrorfor an intentionally broad, unlimited recursive copy. - After completion, use
ls -lhand the application that will consume the file to confirm the expected name and location.
Which wget command should you use?
For a normal one-file transfer, begin with wget URL. Add -O when another command requires a predictable filename, or -P when organization by directory matters more than renaming. Recover an interrupted transfer with -c only after checking the server’s partial-download capability. Use --limit-rate and -b for long jobs that must share resources or survive the end of an interactive shell, and use bounded recursion instead of an unrestricted mirror whenever you need only part of a site.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
