Recommended Free Tools
Use the control that matches the congested link. For Configuration Manager clients downloading application, update, or operating-system content over a VPN, create a targeted Configuration Manager client setting that limits BITS background transfers. For a site server sending content to a remote distribution point (DP), use the DP’s native rate-limit and schedule controls instead. BITS throttling is not an SCCM-only filter: it can also slow other background BITS jobs on the device, and it does not cap foreground traffic or the VPN tunnel as a whole.
First identify the traffic direction
| Traffic | Best control | What it limits |
|---|---|---|
| Client downloading from a DP | Configuration Manager BITS client setting, or Windows BITS policy | BITS background transfers on targeted devices; not only Configuration Manager jobs |
| Site server sending content to a remote DP | DP properties, Rate Limits and Schedule | Content replication from the sending site to that DP |
| Pull DP retrieving from a source DP | Controls on the pull-DP transfer path, including applicable BITS/IIS settings | Pull content transfer |
| All traffic through a VPN tunnel | VPN gateway, firewall, SD-WAN, or QoS policy | The tunnel or traffic classes, regardless of application |
| All web traffic from an IIS site | IIS/server bandwidth controls | Potentially every service using that IIS site |
Configuration Manager’s DP documentation distinguishes client transfers from site-server-to-DP rate limits: Microsoft’s distribution-point guidance.
What BITS throttling actually does
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) moves files over HTTP or SMB and is designed to use available or idle bandwidth. Its view is local to the device and may not reveal congestion farther away on a VPN or WAN. A fast Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter therefore does not prove that the tunnel has spare capacity. See Microsoft’s BITS overview and network-bandwidth behavior.
- The policy applies to BITS background transfers, not foreground transfers.
- A limit below approximately 2 Kbps still results in roughly 2 Kbps of BITS use.
- 0 Kbps blocks BITS background transfers during the affected period.
- Peer-caching traffic may require a separate peer-caching policy.
- Windows Update, security software, Microsoft Store activity, and other applications can also use BITS.
Recommended method: targeted Configuration Manager client settings
Use a custom device setting assigned to a VPN-device collection rather than changing the default client setting for every computer. Custom settings assigned to collections override the default settings; the current labels are documented in Configuration Manager client settings.
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 errors#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
- Create or verify a collection containing only the devices that should be throttled. VPN boundary membership can help identify clients, but validate that content-source selection and routing also use the intended path.
- In the console, open Administration → Client Settings.
- Create a custom client device setting, or edit an appropriately scoped setting.
- Select Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS).
- Enable Limit the maximum network bandwidth for BITS background transfers.
- Set the throttling-window start and end times, the maximum rate during the window, and whether BITS may use unused bandwidth outside it. Labels vary slightly by current-branch release.
- Deploy the setting to the VPN collection and allow normal policy retrieval, or trigger a policy retrieval on a test device.
The PowerShell cmdlet exposes the enablement switch -EnableBitsMaxBandwidth. Confirm the parameter set in the installed module before scripting additional rate or schedule arguments: Set-CMClientSetting.
Windows Group Policy alternative
For domain-managed devices, the administrative-template path is Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Network → Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Configure Limit the maximum network bandwidth for BITS background transfers for the relevant work and non-work periods, as supported by the template.
GPO is useful when the rule must exist independently of Configuration Manager. It is broader, however: it affects BITS jobs from other software and can conflict with Configuration Manager client settings, Intune policy, or local policy. Assign it to a VPN-specific device group rather than the whole domain unless that wider scope is intentional. Microsoft’s policy behavior is described at BITS Group Policies.
Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
Choosing a rate without a magic number
No universal Kbps value exists. Base the limit on usable VPN capacity, expected concurrency, business-hours traffic, deployment deadlines, and whether a gateway already enforces QoS. As a planning illustration, a 20 Mbps usable link divided among 40 simultaneous clients gives a theoretical 500 Kbps per client:
20,000 Kbps ÷ 40 clients = 500 Kbps per client
That is only a starting ceiling; protocol overhead and uneven demand require testing. Possible test values—not Microsoft defaults—are:
| Scenario | Illustrative starting point |
|---|---|
| Very constrained individual connection | 128–256 Kbps |
| Moderate remote-client restriction | 512 Kbps–1 Mbps |
| Deployment blackout period | 0 Kbps, only when delaying content is acceptable |
| After-hours window | Higher limit or unrestricted BITS use |
A 0-Kbps period does not permanently fail a deployment. BITS jobs can enter a transient BG_E_BLOCKED_BY_POLICY state and return to queued behavior when the restriction ends, but the deployment may remain pending and miss a deadline.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Server-side IIS bandwidth setting: use cautiously
An HTMD procedure changes IIS on the server hosting the DP: open IIS Manager, select Default Web Site, open Advanced Settings, and review Maximum Bandwidth (Bytes). The article records 4294967295 bytes (about 4.3 GB) as a lab value and suggests changing it to suit requirements: HTMD’s procedure.
This is not a per-client, per-package, or Configuration Manager-aware throttle. Its practical scope depends on IIS version, bindings, and every role hosted by that site, so it may affect unrelated web traffic. Record the existing value, test on a non-production DP, monitor downloads and IIS health, and prepare a rollback before changing it.
Rate-limit site-server-to-DP replication
If the WAN is saturated while a site server populates a remote DP, edit the already-installed DP:
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
- Open Administration → Distribution Points.
- Edit the remote DP and open Rate Limits.
- Choose Unlimited, Pulse mode, or an hourly maximum transfer rate.
- Use Schedule when transfers must occur only at selected times.
Pulse mode controls block size and delay. The hourly maximum-rate option controls the percentage of time Configuration Manager transmits; it does not measure real-time available bandwidth. Schedules use the sending site’s time zone. These controls do not automatically throttle clients downloading from that DP. Details: Microsoft’s DP installation and configuration documentation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Validate the change
- Confirm the test device received the custom client setting and that the intended collection contains no unintended members.
- Inspect effective BITS policy and active BITS jobs.
- Review relevant client logs, including
PolicyAgent.log,DataTransferService.log,ContentTransferManager.log,CAS.log, and, where applicable,LocationServices.log. - Compare VPN-gateway or firewall utilization before and after the policy.
- Test during the throttle window and outside it, including a deployment with a known content size.
No single log proves every transfer path. Combine policy state, job behavior, Configuration Manager status, and network telemetry.
Troubleshooting branches
Content remains stuck
Check whether the device is inside a 0-Kbps window, whether the job is policy-blocked, and whether a deployment deadline conflicts with the schedule. Temporarily raise the limit or end the window on a test collection, then monitor the job returning to queued and transferring.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
The policy appears absent
Force or await client policy retrieval, verify collection membership, and inspect effective settings. Check for precedence or conflict among Configuration Manager, GPO, Intune Policy CSP, local policy, and VPN software.
VPN utilization does not fall
Confirm that the congested traffic is BITS background traffic. Split tunneling, foreground transfers, peer caching, cloud content, or unrelated applications may use a different path. Validate the VPN boundary and content location rather than assuming boundary membership controls both.
Remote DP replication is still saturating the WAN
A client throttle cannot fix site-server-to-DP replication. Configure the DP’s Rate Limits and Schedule, checking the sending site’s time zone.
When throttling is not the best optimization
Reducing BITS rate protects interactive traffic but can lengthen installations and create backlogs. Consider cloud-based content sources for remote workers, prestaged content for large deployments, BranchCache or carefully governed peer downloads, smaller deployment payloads, and network QoS for whole-tunnel protection. Cloud-source and remote-worker considerations are discussed at HTMD’s remote-worker optimization guidance. For VPN-boundary context, see HTMD’s VPN boundary guide.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteLarge estates that need automated peer distribution and end-to-end bandwidth management may evaluate 1E Nomad (official product page), but it adds agent, architecture, governance, and licensing overhead. Native Configuration Manager, Windows, Intune, and network controls should be assessed first.
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.
