Microsoft Secure Content Downloader is a free peer-to-peer sharing based download manager for Windows XP and Vista that will allow you to download content simultaneously from multiple sources simliar to what BitTorrent provides. This is based on Microsoft Research project, codenamed “Avalanche” that uses swarming techniques to simultaneously obtain different pieces of a file from multiple nodes.

Each file available that you download has a secure description, ensuring the content you download is exactly what the publisher published.

Some MSCD clients may be connected to each other via peer connections, forming a ‘cloud’ of clients. As a member of the cloud, your computer serves both as a client and server to other members of the cloud. Data destined for the cloud may be routed through your computer and sent to other cloud members. You are only connected to other clients while you are downloading a file via MSCD. When the file has finished downloading – or when you pause or cancel the download, or exit the application – you disconnect from the cloud. Once you disconnect from the cloud, you will no longer have any connections to any other members in the cloud and no data will be routed through your computer.

This is only a Community Technology Preview and will expire in August. To optimize performance, make sure you enable UPnP on your router and Teredo on your computer (can be enabled by typing netsh int ipv6 set ter cli at the command prompt)

Also currently, the downloads are limited to Microsoft Visual Studio and MSDN Library Beta.

Download Microsoft Secure Content Downloader here