Axel tries to accelerate HTTP/FTP downloading process by using multiple connections for one file. It can use multiple mirrors for a download.
Wilmer van der Gaast is the upstream author of Axel. Y Giridhar Appaji Nag and Philipp Hagemeister are the current maintainers.
Axel is the only accelerator I like using, and the one that maxxes out my slow-as-molasses adsl connection. It is one of the oldest out there, so you will find it in the repositories of virtually every linux distro you can imagine.
What happens if you’re forced to, or actually enjoy, using windows though? I couldn’t find it in the cygwin repos or anywhere else on google-territory, so I compiled it (35K executable) and bundled it with the necessary cygwin runtime (2MB !!) for your perusal. It works out to 900KB, and to approximately 3MB decompressed. If you have space to spare, download from: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/23114384/builds/Axel2.4.zip(goo.gl link just counts downloads)
To use, decompress those 2 files in your favourite directory (preferrably somewhere in your path) and download away:
Usage: axel [options] url1 [url2] [url...]
–max-speed=x -s x Specify maximum speed (bytes per second)
–num-connections=x -n x Specify maximum number of connections
–output=f -o f Specify local output file
–search[=x] -S [x] Search for mirrors and download from x servers
–header=x -H x Add header string
–user-agent=x -U x Set user agent
–no-proxy -N Just don’t use any proxy server
–quiet -q Leave stdout alone
–verbose -v More status information
–alternate -a Alternate progress indicator
–help -h This information
–version -V Version information
md5 sums:
df396d53ca2ff61f96f2ad9489ca5bfb axel.exe
bc68345f873de78310d324320e82fe65 cygwin1.dll
ce347e643f5a6df1608bdc288562215a Axel2.4.zip
virustotal report, for the paranoid few: click here
why the -a not effect in the cmd windows,tks.
Change the width of cmd window to 100 or more, and -a will work.
To those who uses axel in scripts:
I’m using axel as a downloader out of a perl script, so I had to change the width of the default perl window like this:
run->type perl->change the width the usual way and save for “future window with same title” – the second option. Now perl scripts open in a wider window and axel -a works as it’s supposed to.
Great find, Lenin! Thanks for sharing.
You can use
mode con cols=120 lines=25
to change the console width/height from a command prompt/batch file.
Thanks mate!
the same question as seco, I can only use the option -a in powershell window, but not cmd window.
I wish I could help you guys but I have no idea, especially since it seems to work in powershell. What does pshell have that cmd doesn’t?
[…] here to download axel for Windows or visit st0rage.org Click here to download wget for Windows or visit […]
how do set if there is proxy server for windows
how do u set if there is proxy server for windows
Thanks for port .. it made my work easy
I don’t wanna know what work that is..
I literally laughed at that sentence.
[…] on OSX with Axel and a simple applescript. Well it looks like someone has compiled Axel on Windows (http://st0rage.org/~n2j3/?page_id=225717166) . I went ahead and created a very simple frontend for it. Feel free to download and try it […]
I wrote a frontend for windows to sit on top of what you created. I hope you think it to be as useful as Axel by itself.
http://mrkmg.com/?page_id=79
It is indeed :) Thanks Kevin.
Can you tell me how you compiled this I want to compile it myself I installed cygwin but I get an error when I do make.
When i m trying to download it shows an error “Too many redirects”……
What to do???????
When i m trying to download anything using axel then it shows an error “Too many redirects”……
What to do???????
download directly from this mirror: http://soldat.gr/kokoeurospoko/Axel2.4.zip
I have already downloaded axel…..but when i’m trying to download anything(any video or any file) using axel then it shows me an error “Too many redirects”……
Hmm.. apparently it’s a bug, I’ve never personally had it but it’s reported @ https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/axel/+bug/253906 and in http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=449513
You’re on your own, apparently it happens when a HTTP 302 redirects it to a FTP location.
OOPs,,,,,There was a bug in my download link…..I try another link & it get starts download…….
Thanks a lot 4 quick reply,s……..
Can i resume my downloading in axel??
Nope
:-((
[…] […]
Thank you very much. It’s so great of you to make this and share it!
Boom! Boom! Boom! :D
I love Axel ;) :P
kiss
your link can not be visited in beijing
try https://aga.pw/Axel2.4.zip
Can you please provide your modified sources pre-compilation, what compiler did you use? I’d like to make a few modifications on top of your version.
I don’t think I have the sources :S I used the standard gcc compiler cygwin had at the time.
For those Windows users who wants to integrate “Axel Downloader” with “Google Chrome” or any other chromium based browser do the following:
1. Install this extension (Downloaders): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/downloaders/lfjamigppmepikjlacjdpgjaiojdjhoj
2. Now open the “options” panel for the “Downloaders” extension. Choose the “Custom” option.
3. Put this –
"C:\ProgramData\Axel2.4\Axel" %u --output=%u -o C:\Users\Skgus\Desktop
in the “Custom” box.
4. Now click “Save and Close”. You are done. Now go to any page. Right click on any download link and you will see “Axel” in the “Downloaders” context menu.
————————————–
Notes:
1. You can replace the output path for the download file (i.e C:\Users\Skgus\Desktop) with any other path of your choice.
2.
You need not to put ‘.exe’ at the end of the “C:\ProgramData\Axel2.4\Axel”. If you do you will see “Download with Axel.exe” in the context menu.
For those Windows users who wants to integrate “Axel Downloader” with “Mozilla Firefox ” or any other Firefox based browser (Example: Pale Moon) do the following:
0. Download “Axel” from here : ttp://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/23114384/builds/Axel2.4.zip and extract the zip to “C:\ProgramData”.
1. Install the “FlashGot” Addon for Firefox from here : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/flashgot
2. Now open Add-on Manager:
-> Go to "FlashGot"
-> Options
-> From "General" tab choose "Add"
-> Enter the name : "Axel Download Manager"
-> Click OK
-> Browse to the folder where you have extracted (installed) "Axel". Choose "axel.exe". (In my case it was "C:\ProgramData\Axel2.4\axel.exe")
3. In the "Commandline arguments template" box Enter this :
[URL] --output=[URL] -o C:\Users\Soham\Downloads
4. Click Ok to finish.
Note: “C:\Users\Soham\Downloads” is the location for me where “Axel” downloads the files. You can choose any path of your choice.
You are done. Now try downloading any file ! You will see “Axel Download Manager” is available in FlashGot menu.
Thanks for the tips, CA!
How do I give command line arguments like -a -n 150 …..
Yes I’m forced to use windows right now :| with slowest connection in the world – and axel for windows is a great idea ;)