Microsoft intentionally restricting Firefox speed?

Richard M · 20-05-2005, 10:12

I've noticed that downloads from microsoft.com have been slow recently when using Firefox.
Any other site is fine but not from M$.

I started to get suspicious that something was up so I did a quick test...can you guess what happened?

I've noticed this when using Firefox at home or work, using two different versions and on 2 operating systems (XP32, XP64).

**Chris** · 20-05-2005, 10:15

If you can devise a way of proving that scientifically, it would make a killer article for el reg ...

Bifta · 20-05-2005, 10:15

I downloaded the same file on IE and Firefox, both download at around 213kbps a second, you can take your tinfoil hat off now. In fact, having just tried it again, firefox was quicker, it claimed it never dropped below 250kbps (which is obviously wrong) but it was still at least 3-4 seconds faster. OMFG, Microsoft is crippling IE's download speed!

gazzae · 20-05-2005, 10:35

Mozilla must be restricting Firefox's speed as well, cause IE is faster there too.

Jon M · 20-05-2005, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bifta

I downloaded the same file on IE and Firefox, both download at around 213kbps a second, you can take your tinfoil hat off now. In fact, having just tried it again, firefox was quicker, it claimed it never dropped below 250kbps (which is obviously wrong) but it was still at least 3-4 seconds faster. OMFG, Microsoft is crippling IE's download speed!

Were you downloading mdac runtimes from microsoft.com, or just a random download from a random site?

I got 20k sustained within IE, yet only 5-9k in FF

jamesclarke555 · 20-05-2005, 10:39

oooh, I like conspiracies. Maybe this is a stop gap until IE7 comes out

Bifta · 20-05-2005, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by s1lv3r

Were you downloading mdac runtimes from microsoft.com, or just a random download from a random site?

I got 20k sustained within IE, yet only 5-9k in FF

O.k. when I said the same file, I of course meant ... THE SAME FILE!

Stuart · 20-05-2005, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard M

I've noticed that downloads from microsoft.com have been slow recently when using Firefox.
Any other site is fine but not from M$.

I started to get suspicious that something was up so I did a quick test...can you guess what happened?

I've noticed this when using Firefox at home or work, using two different versions and on 2 operating systems (XP32, XP64).

Not really news. I have been having trouble downloading from most microsoft sites using IE and Opera..

Jon M · 20-05-2005, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bifta

O.k. when I said the same file, I of course meant ... THE SAME FILE!

You should be able to see why clarification was required... your wording could have been read: "same file in IE as I downloaded in FF"

Bifta · 20-05-2005, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by s1lv3r

You should be able to see why clarification was required... your wording could have been read: "same file in IE as I downloaded in FF"

It'd be a bit pointless trying to disprove this rubbish by downloading some random file though

Paul K · 20-05-2005, 10:46

Just tried it myself with a file from Microsoft.com downloads and got double the download speed through FF as I did IE. Wonder if I have tweaked firefox a bit heavily lol.

punky · 20-05-2005, 11:59

If you are downloading both files at the same time, IE will be given priority, through Windows. It is nothing personal against Firefox, it happens with any other download, like on IRC, or FTP. IE always hogs most the bandwidth.

If you really believe that MS is 'punishing' Firefox users, then this extension will be handy. It allows you to change/spoof your browser agent string so Firefox can pretend to be IE.

Richard M · 20-05-2005, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

If you are downloading both files at the same time, IE will be given priority, through Windows. It is nothing personal against Firefox, it happens with any other download, like on IRC, or FTP. IE always hogs most the bandwidth.

No, I started the download in Firefox which came down at 20K/sec, waited ages for the download to finish, got tired of waiting then fired up IE which came down at 400K/sec.

punky · 20-05-2005, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard M

No, I started the download in Firefox which came down at 20K/sec, waited ages for the download to finish, got tired of waiting then fired up IE which came down at 400K/sec.

Give that user agent extension a try, it has a preset for IE 6 and Opera 8... See if that makes a difference.

You can even even write your own if you want to leave MS a message in their logs