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GetRight

GetRight is a software for Windows, developed by Michael Burford and first released in February 1997, designed to accelerate, resume, and organize file downloads from the internet using protocols such as HTTP, , FTP, , and . Developed by Michael Burford through his company Headlight Software, GetRight originated as one of the earliest commercial download managers, allowing users to recover from interrupted downloads caused by connection losses or crashes, segment files for faster speeds, and schedule downloads for automated management. It integrates with browsers like , , and , and supports older Windows versions including 95 through 7, emphasizing security without or . Over its more than 25-year history, GetRight has evolved through multiple versions, with key milestones including the introduction of the GetRight Developer Kit in 1999 for custom integrations, the launch of GetRight Pro in 2006 for advanced features, and the acquisition and relaunch of the competing Go!Zilla tool in 2008 using GetRight's technology. The software has been translated into dozens of languages via user contributions and priced between $15 and $29.95, earning accolades such as two for Best Enhancement and high ratings like five stars on Download.com with over 12 million downloads. By 2025, version 6.5 remains available, continuing to serve millions of users who have downloaded billions of files with it.

Overview

Introduction

GetRight is a software developed by Headlight Software for accelerating and managing file downloads from the . Created by Michael Burford, it was first released in February 1997. The program's core purpose involves optimizing downloads through features such as resuming interrupted transfers, segmenting files to achieve faster speeds by downloading parts from multiple servers simultaneously, and scheduling downloads for specific times or off-peak hours. These capabilities address common issues like connection drops or slow transfer rates, making it particularly useful for handling large files or multiple simultaneous downloads. As of 2025, GetRight has maintained availability for over 25 years and has been used by millions of people to download billions of files. Although its last major update occurred in 2011 with version 6.5, it remains a legacy software option that is still downloadable and functional on modern Windows systems, with no active development since then.

System requirements and compatibility

GetRight requires a minimum of Windows 95 or later as its operating system, with official support extending up to Windows 7. The software is designed for 32-bit architectures but is compatible with 64-bit Windows systems through or native execution on supported versions. The installer for version 6.5, the most recent release from 2011, is approximately 4.9 MB in size. User reports indicate GetRight functions on newer operating systems such as and 11, though it lacks official support and may encounter limitations, including incomplete integration with modern Windows features like enhanced or elements. In 2025, unpatched installations could face challenges with contemporary security protocols. For browser compatibility, GetRight integrates with via direct monitoring, through built-in support options such as click-monitoring or clipboard monitoring, and using protocol handlers or configuration settings. It also works with legacy browsers including , , , and Explorer, primarily through clipboard monitoring or drag-and-drop functionality. Hardware requirements are minimal, consisting of a standard with an active connection; no specific CPU, , or specifications beyond basic Windows capabilities are needed. The software is optimized for connections like DSL or modems to maximize its acceleration benefits, though it performs adequately on dial-up. The software supports protocols including HTTP, , FTP, , and .

History and development

Origins and creator

Michael Burford, a graduate from with early programming experience dating back to the Apple ][+ in the 1980s, developed GetRight as an independent software creator. Motivated by the unreliable internet connections prevalent in the mid-1990s, which often resulted in interrupted downloads, Burford began work on the program following a personal frustration with a failed game demo download in 1997. This led to the creation of one of the earliest download managers designed specifically to resume broken transfers, filling a gap in software availability at the time, as no dedicated "download manager" category existed on major software distribution sites. Initial development of GetRight occurred on , with support for this platform continuing through version 1.3, alongside compatibility with Windows 95. The inaugural release, GetRight 1.0, launched in February 1997 and provided foundational features such as basic HTTP download handling, user-selectable save folders, and drag-and-drop or paste functionality for URLs, allowing users to monitor and restart downloads from a simple status list. Several months after the initial release, Burford left his previous job to dedicate himself full-time to GetRight's development. To formalize its production and distribution, he established Headlight Software in as the company behind the program. Among Burford's other early projects were GetRightJ, a Java-based released in late to support and users, and AdWiper, an ad-stripping utility launched in 1998 under a separate venture, WebWiper Inc.

Key milestones and releases

GetRight's development began with the release of version 1.0 in February 1997, which introduced basic HTTP download support along with drag-and-drop functionality. Later updates in the 1.x series during 1997 added FTP protocol support. Segmented downloading, enabling faster transfers by splitting files across multiple connections, was implemented in the early . By version 6.x, starting in 2006, protocol integration was added to handle . Key releases marked significant enhancements. Version 4.5, launched in 2001, included an option to remove integration, shifting toward a pure model with the 4.5a update on October 1, 2001. Version 5.0 arrived on March 12, 2003, featuring major overhauls for improved . Version 6.0 followed on June 7, 2006, with broader expansions. The final stable release, version 6.5, came on January 24, 2011, incorporating Pro mode enhancements like advanced tools. Milestones extended beyond core updates. Between 1998 and 1999, GetRight gained translations into multiple languages through user contributions and introduced the Developer Kit for custom integrations. In 2003, the Lightning Download service launched to accelerate web-based file retrieval. The year 2006 saw the debut of GetRight Pro for professional users and GetRightToGo, a portable edition. Further expansions included the July 2007 launch of FindFiles.com, a search platform leveraging GetRight's mirroring technology, and the January 18, 2008, acquisition and relaunch of the rival Go!Zilla using GetRight's underlying engine. Related products complemented GetRight's ecosystem. In 1999, Headlight Software released StartDrive, a startup manager, and Mike's Micro Meter, a system monitoring tool. Desktop Armor, an antispyware utility, followed in 2003. Development tapered off after 2011, with no further releases issued. By 2025, GetRight remains downloadable from its official site but is widely regarded as legacy software amid the rise of integrated browser tools and cloud-based alternatives.

Features

Core download capabilities

GetRight's resume functionality enables users to restart interrupted downloads precisely from the point of failure, mitigating issues such as disconnections, application crashes, or power outages, even after multiple interruptions. This feature supports both HTTP and FTP protocols, allowing partial downloads—such as those completing 95% of a file—to resume by retrieving only the remaining , and it has been tested to handle scenarios like unplugging or computer shutdowns without . The software employs segmented downloading to divide large files into multiple segments, retrieving each part simultaneously from different servers to accelerate overall transfer speeds. This approach is particularly effective for sizable files, such as multi-gigabyte DVD images, by leveraging parallel connections to bypass single-server bottlenecks and achieve higher throughput on supported connections. Scheduling capabilities allow users to and automate downloads for designated times, such as overnight sessions, with options for automatic connection initiation, prioritization of queued items, and post-completion actions like disconnecting from the or shutting down the computer. This ensures efficient resource use during off-peak hours without manual intervention. Organization tools in GetRight facilitate download management through a hierarchical tree of filters and folders, enabling users to categorize files by type, source, or custom criteria for easy location and retrieval. options range from Very High to Very Low or Do Not Download, applied to batches in automated or scheduled modes to process urgent files first, while a dedicated view tracks completed downloads, including recent files and URLs, for reference and re-access. For handling large files, GetRight optimizes transfers to prevent corruption by verifying file integrity during resumption and segmentation, ensuring complete and accurate even for gigabyte-scale . Server further enhances this by scanning remote sites to identify and download only new or updated files, avoiding duplicates and maintaining consistency across massive collections from web or FTP servers.

Advanced functionalities and integrations

GetRight extends its core downloading capabilities through support for multiple specialized protocols, enabling users to handle diverse file transfer scenarios securely and efficiently. It natively supports HTTP and for standard web downloads, FTP and for secure file transfers from remote servers, and full integration with the protocol, allowing both downloading and seeding of files. The implementation includes connectivity to up to 20 peers simultaneously, automatic validation of file pieces for integrity, and utilization of Universal Plug-and-Play (UPnP) for to optimize network performance. Additionally, since version 6.1, GetRight incorporates BitTorrent's (DHT) network, which facilitates peer discovery without reliance on central trackers by sharing addresses, ports, unique IDs, and info hashes in a decentralized manner, configurable to run continuously or only during active downloads. Browser integrations enhance seamless capture of download links directly from web browsing sessions. GetRight works natively with for automatic link detection, integrates with through built-in click monitoring and clipboard monitoring to queue downloads, and supports through built-in browser monitoring and by configuring Opera's download handling preferences. These integrations allow users to initiate downloads without manual copying of URLs, streamlining workflows across popular browsers. Complementing this, GetRight's website scanning feature, known as server , enables the extraction and downloading of multiple files from a single webpage or entire site, such as all images or music files, by recursively traversing links and filtering by file type or extension. Beyond protocol and browser support, GetRight includes utility tools for specialized tasks. Its Podcast Downloader, introduced in version 6.0, automates the retrieval of media files from feeds and can automatically add completed downloads to playlists in or for immediate playback organization. File integrity is ensured through built-in and verification, which compares downloaded files against provided hashes to detect or tampering. Mirror searching further optimizes reliability by tracking multiple alternative server addresses for a file, automatically selecting the fastest one. Pro-exclusive features preview advanced network handling, including capabilities that local directories to identify and updated files to websites via FTP, and configurable modes such as HTTP proxies for FTP downloads to bypass restrictions or enhance (detailed in the Licensing section). On the security front, GetRight contains no and has been entirely ad-free since version 4.5 in 2001, with providing an additional layer to prevent unauthorized modifications.

Licensing

Modes and editions

GetRight offers two primary operational modes starting from version 6: and . The mode provides the core functionalities, including the ability to resume interrupted downloads, files for accelerated transfers from multiple servers, and downloads for automated execution. These features are available across all versions and are designed for basic personal use, with the software offered as that includes a free trial period providing full access before prompting for purchase. The mode, introduced in , extends the Standard capabilities with advanced tools tailored for power users and small environments. It includes uploading with resume support for FTP servers, scripting for task and command-line , a built-in enabling and of downloads from anywhere, and or client/server modes to facilitate network-wide download and of features with other programs. These additions make Pro suitable for more complex scenarios, such as maintaining web sites or coordinating downloads across multiple machines, while maintaining with the core features. The trial structure allows users 30 days of unrestricted access to all features in both modes, after which the Standard mode reverts to limited basic functions accompanied by nag screens encouraging purchase, though ads are absent. Pro features require a separate to unlock post-trial. Language support has been progressively expanded since 1999, with version 6.5 offering translations in 10 to enhance for users.

Pricing and distribution

GetRight has followed a model since its inception, allowing users to download and evaluate the software for free before purchasing a to unlock full functionality. Initially released in 1997 at a price of $15, the standard edition's cost evolved over time, rising incrementally to $17.50, $20, $25, and eventually $29.95 by the early 2000s to reflect added features and development expenses. The edition, introduced later for users seeking advanced capabilities, carried an additional premium of $20–30 on top of the standard pricing during this period. As of 2025, GetRight maintains its one-time purchase structure without subscriptions, offering perpetual licenses for both editions. The standard edition is priced at $19.95, while the Pro edition costs $39.95; both include lifetime free upgrades to future versions. Purchases can be completed online through the official website using or , with a delivered immediately upon payment. A free trial version is available, enabling full access to core features for evaluation, typically limited to 30 days before nagging prompts encourage registration. Distribution occurs primarily through the official website at getright.com, where users can the Windows installer directly. The software has historically been shared via third-party sites like Download.com, but the primary channel remains the developer's site to ensure authenticity and updates. In its early years, particularly versions 4.0 to 4.2c before 2001, GetRight incorporated an ad-supported trial mode using the Radiate (formerly Aureate Media) system to display banner ads, which helped offset development costs for the free evaluation period. This approach was phased out amid growing concerns and user complaints about and impacts, transitioning to a pure model without any . Today, the software emphasizes a clean, ad-free experience focused solely on management.

References

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