Skip to main content

​
Configuration File

MegaDownloader stores all settings in a local configuration file named config.txt located in the application’s root directory. This file is automatically created when you save settings through the Preferences panel.
The configuration file uses a simple key-value format with values enclosed in double quotes.

​
Configuration Format

The config.txt file uses the following format: 
key:"value"
Each setting appears on a separate line with no spaces between the key, colon, and quoted value.

​
Available Configuration Keys

MegaDownloader supports the following configuration options:
Key: pathDescription: Specifies the absolute path to the yt-dlp executable.Required: YesExample:
path:"C:\Tools\yt-dlp\yt-dlp.exe"
The application cannot download videos without a valid yt-dlp path. You must configure this before your first download.
Key: downloadDirDescription: Sets the default directory where downloaded files will be saved.Required: No (defaults to project directory)Example:
downloadDir:"C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\Videos"
If not specified, files are saved in the same directory where the application is running.
Key: ffmpegPathDescription: Manual path to the FFmpeg directory (optional if FFmpeg is in the yt-dlp directory).Required: No (auto-detected if in yt-dlp directory)Example:
ffmpegPath:"C:\Tools\ffmpeg\bin"
This setting is only needed if FFmpeg is not in the same directory as yt-dlp. See the FFmpeg setup guide for more details.

​
Example Configuration

A complete config.txt file might look like this: 
path:"C:\Tools\yt-dlp\yt-dlp.exe"
downloadDir:"C:\Users\YourName\Videos"
ffmpegPath:"C:\Tools\ffmpeg\bin"

​
Managing Settings via GUI

You can configure all settings through the Preferences panel without manually editing the config file.
1

Open Preferences

Navigate to Edit > Preferences from the menu bar.
2

Configure yt-dlp Path

Click Change location and select your yt-dlp.exe file.The current path will display as “Not configured” if no path has been set.
3

Set Download Directory (Optional)

Click Change Download directory to select where files should be saved.Default: “Default (where project is stored)”
4

Configure Additional Options

  • Create M3U for playlists: Enable to automatically generate playlist files
  • Download Speed: Set speed limits using the slider and toggle
5

Save Configuration

Click Save to write all settings to config.txt.
You must click Save for changes to take effect. Settings are not applied automatically.

​
Speed Limiter Configuration

The speed limiter is configured through the Preferences panel and is stored in memory (not persisted to config.txt).

​
Speed Limiter Controls

  • Range: 1 KB/s to 100,000 KB/s
  • Default: 1000 KB/s
  • Controls: Both slider and text field update synchronously
  • Toggle: Enable/disable the limiter with the “Limiter” button
The speed limiter uses yt-dlp’s --limit-rate parameter, specified in kilobytes per second (KB/s).

​
Configuration Persistence

​
How Settings Are Loaded

When the application starts, it reads config.txt from the working directory: 
private void loadConfig() {
    File configFile = new File("config.txt");
    if (configFile.exists()) {
        // Read line by line
        // Parse each key:"value" pair
        // Update UI with loaded values
    }
}
From PreferencesPanel.java (lines 127-151)

​
How Settings Are Saved

When you click Save in Preferences, the application writes to config.txt: 
private void btnSaveActionPerformed() {
    try (BufferedWriter writer = new BufferedWriter(new FileWriter("config.txt"))) {
        writer.write("path:\"" + path + "\"");
        writer.newLine();
        if (!downloadDirectoryPath.equals("Default (where project is stored)")) {
            writer.write("downloadDir:\"" + downloadDirectoryPath + "\"");
        }
    }
}
From PreferencesPanel.java (lines 345-369)

​
Validation

The application validates that you’ve selected a path before allowing you to save:
  • If the path shows “Not configured”, saving is blocked
  • A warning dialog appears: “Please select a yt-dlp location first”
When selecting the yt-dlp executable:
  • File chooser filters for .exe files
  • Accepts all files if needed
  • Only accepts files (not directories) for executables

​
Troubleshooting Configuration

​
Configuration Not Loading

Ensure config.txt is in the same directory where you run the application.
Common causes:
  • File is in the wrong directory
  • File encoding is incorrect (should be plain text)
  • Incorrect format (missing quotes or wrong syntax)

​
Settings Not Saving

Check for:
  • Write permissions in the application directory
  • Antivirus blocking file writes
  • File is not marked as read-only

​
Invalid Paths

Symptoms:
  • “yt-dlp path not configured” error on download
  • “FFmpeg not found” warning
Solutions:
  • Verify paths exist and are accessible
  • Use absolute paths (not relative paths)
  • Ensure proper escaping of backslashes in Windows paths

​
Next Steps

FFmpeg Setup

Learn about the hybrid FFmpeg detection system

Troubleshooting

Solve common configuration issues

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Get started for freeTalk to us