How to Install the BitTorrent Client

This article tells you the basics of how to use the BitTorrent client (which uses a protocol that is also called "BitTorrent") to download files.

Steps

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   Choose the download that fits your environment. BitTorrent is a multi-platform client, so you must choose your Operating System version to download (Windows, Linux, or OS X). This article assumes you know your operating system type.
   
   
   
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   Install BitTorrent, run the EXE, and follow the prompts. Upon installation, BitTorrent should be in your Programs directory, in Start > Programs > BitTorrent.
   
   
   
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   Launch the "Downloader" application, which is a shortcut to bittorrent.exe.
   
   
   
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   Go to the Settings, to set your options.
   
   • Choose not to launch BitTorrent when Windows starts, for faster startup and to avoid possible security risks.
     
     
     
   • Minimize to system tray - if you don't like it on your taskbar when it's minimized, send it to the systray area over by the clock.
     
     
     
   • Progress bar text is black - this seems to work best.
     
     
     
   • Saving: Save new downloads in.... - self explanatory, many users have a set folder where they store their downloads, this is a folder you set, and BitTorrent will always store new downloads here. Ask where to save each download could be unchecked....
     
     
     
   • Downloading: When starting a new torrent - set this item to "ask" each time. BitTorrent can easily maximize bandwidth use, and many users advise that it's best to have only one torrent running at a time (as in the earlier versions of the program). If you have a low-speed connection, it's best to set the "Stop another running torrent" option to make room. This will stop your other transfer in order to start a new transfer.
     
     
     
   • Seeding: this refers to giving back your download to the community once you are done downloading a torrent, and it's BitTorrent etiquette to seed at least to 100% (often called 1:1 ratio). This means you should upload (give back) just as much data as your download (receive). Set the first field to no less than 100 (percent). If "Seed Indefinitely" is enabled, the option boxes are greyed out, and it will seed until you stop it. Adhere to the same policy with "Seed last completed torrent until".
     
     
     
   • Networking: Set your BitTorrent communication port under this tab. The application will accept any port from 1024 to 65535, but it is recommended to use any port greater than 10000 (10 thousand). Disable Enable Automatic Port Mapping (UPnP), since some users indicate security risks and/or vulnerabilities with this setting. This port you have set here, is necessary to allow incoming data, if you use a router/firewall (NAT) of any type, you will need to open (more often called "port forward") this individual port through your router browser configuration (that's a whole different how-to). Ignore "IP to report to tracker" - this is only if you are running the tracker on your same computer (seeding and tracking a torrent from the same computer or network) and is not related in any way to "proxying" or otherwise "hiding" your IP.
     
     
     
   • Language: Choose your language here, it may be auto-set to English.
     
     
     
   
   
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   You are now ready to search for, and download .torrent files. A good place to start is Search & Download.
   
   

Tips

• Install a protective program to keep snoops such as the RIAA and MPAA out. Highly recommended is Peer Guardian. This is like a firewall except a bit more extensive protection when using p2p programs.
• If behind a network, be sure your bittorrent port is forwarded/open to the outside world.
• Don't download copyprotected content, no IP blocker, or proxy software offers 100% protection.
• Stay away from 0-day (zero day)/brand new releases, only download torrents with many seeds so you have a good chance of file completion.
• Note that the BitTorrent program is only one of several applications that have been developed to use the BitTorrent protocol.

Warnings

• Please use Peer Guardian otherwise the RIAA or MPAA may knock at your door with a lawsuit for copyright infringement for what you download or share.
• Watch out for viruses, which are always a risk on the internet.
• Spyware companies use BitTorrent to either distribute programs or solicit the recipient to register at a website in order to acquire a password for the torrent. In the latter case, the downloaded file is usually a dummy, rather than the intended file.