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Steam and Epic Games Launcher both let you limit download bandwidth and schedule updates. Epic also offers download priority controls and a setting for installs during gameplay. Windows Delivery Optimization limits only its own automatic update downloads, while the EA guidance reviewed here focuses on troubleshooting rather than documenting a user-facing speed cap. There is no sourced, controlled test showing that one launcher is universally fastest.
What the controls can—and cannot—do
A bandwidth cap and a speed boost are different things. A cap reserves more of your connection for gaming, video calls, or other devices, but makes the capped download take longer. Removing a cap can help only when that cap was holding the download back; it cannot guarantee a faster result if another factor is the bottleneck.
Launcher download displays are not directly comparable speed tests. Server choice, current network conditions, competing traffic, and local processing can all affect apparent speed. A meaningful comparison would need matched network, server, game, storage, and client conditions; the official guidance covered here does not provide such a benchmark.
Which launchers document bandwidth controls?
| Client or setting | Speed limit | Scheduling and priority | Scope or caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Yes; set a bandwidth limit in Steam > Settings > Downloads. Steam shows the limit in Download Manager and in an update dialog when launching a game. Steam Support | Automatic updates can be scheduled within a time window; per-game choices include keeping a game updated, updating only when launched, or prioritizing auto-updates. Download Manager supports queue reordering and schedule management. Steam Support | You can override the schedule to download immediately. Steam also documents download-region troubleshooting. Steam Support |
| Epic Games Launcher | Yes; Download Manager > Download Settings > Download Speed. The controls cover fresh installs and updates. Epic Games Support | Supports automatic-update scheduling, game prioritization, and reordering download priority. Epic Games Support | Includes a toggle for whether installs can run during gameplay. Epic Games Support |
| Windows Delivery Optimization | Yes; Windows supports absolute and percentage bandwidth limits. Microsoft Support | Not a general launcher queue or game-download scheduler in the cited guidance. | Applies to Delivery Optimization automatic update downloads, not manually initiated downloads such as a manually started Windows or Store download. It does not establish a limit for every Xbox, Store, or third-party game download. Applies to Windows 10 and 11; Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025. Microsoft Support |
| EA app | A user-facing speed cap is not documented in the EA download guidance reviewed here. | The cited guidance focuses on resolving slow downloads and managing background activity; it does not establish scheduling or queue-priority controls. | This describes the scope of the reviewed official guidance, not proof that no such control exists in every EA app version. EA Help |
Other PC launchers, including Battle.net and Ubisoft Connect, are outside this sourced comparison; no current official documentation for their controls is established here.
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How to limit or schedule downloads
Steam
- Open Steam > Settings > Downloads.
- Choose the bandwidth limit that leaves room for other network activity. Steam displays the configured limit in Download Manager and in an update dialog when launching a game. Steam Support
- To control when a specific game updates, open its properties and choose an automatic-update option: keep it updated, update only when launched, or prioritize it for auto-updates. Use the Downloads settings to set an automatic-update time window; download immediately if you need to override that schedule. Steam Support
Epic Games Launcher
- Open the Download Manager, then open Download Settings.
- Set Download Speed to limit bandwidth for fresh installs and updates. Epic Games Support
- In Download Manager, configure automatic-update scheduling, prioritize or reorder titles, and choose whether installs can run during gameplay. Epic Games Support
Windows Delivery Optimization
Windows bandwidth limits are intended to manage Delivery Optimization’s automatic update downloads. Microsoft explicitly says they do not apply to manually initiated downloads, so do not rely on this setting as a universal game-launcher cap. Microsoft Support
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why a download may look slower than your internet plan
Check bits versus bytes
Internet plans commonly quote megabits per second, while Steam displays downloads in bytes per second. Steam explains: “A byte is a group of 8 bits.” So, for unit conversion only, 8 megabits per second equals 1 megabyte per second before accounting for other factors. This arithmetic is not a promised download rate. Steam Support
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Check the active limit and network traffic
- If a download is unexpectedly slow, check whether Steam or Epic has a cap enabled. Epic’s slow-download guidance recommends unchecking Limit Download Speeds and restarting the launcher as a diagnostic step. If you set that cap deliberately to share bandwidth, removing it may cause downloads to use more of the connection. Epic Games Support
- Streaming and downloads can compete for bandwidth and contribute to multiplayer lag or disconnections, even when the activity is on another device on your network. A cap or schedule may be preferable to maximizing a download while playing. Epic Games Support
- For EA app slow downloads, EA recommends clearing the app cache, closing background programs, disconnecting unused network devices temporarily, trying a wired connection, and checking firewall or antivirus access. EA also notes that download-management programs and other activity can affect downloads or gameplay. EA Help EA Help
Try a nearby Steam download region
Steam recommends checking the selected download region and trying a nearby region if downloads are slower than expected. A different region is a troubleshooting option, not a guarantee that a particular connection will improve. Steam Support
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Choose the setting that matches the problem
- Keep gaming or video calls responsive: set a cap or schedule in Steam or Epic, or pause downloads while you play. Epic explains that network activity can compete across devices.
- Get a download moving faster: first check that a client cap is not active and confirm you are comparing the same units. Then investigate region or competing network activity where relevant.
- Manage Windows automatic updates: configure Delivery Optimization for its documented automatic-update scope, not as a catch-all game-download limiter.
- Compare launchers: compare the documented controls and test under the same conditions; the available official sources do not support ranking a universally fastest launcher.
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