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How to Download Files Using Bittorrent

Bittorrent is a different type of P2P (Peer to Peer) file distribution system. It is extremely easy to use, and has evolved to become one of the best ways to download on the internet.

A download is started by simply downloading the TORRENT file and opening it up!

Whenever more then one person is downloading a file from a central server they send pieces of the file(s) to each other in packets. Often times your Bittorrent download speed will be greater then downloading from a server, as you are getting the file in different pieces from many sources.

The Bittorrent program was developed to eliminate the load and extreme bandwith costs on a server, it is essentially free to use as long as you have an internet connection. Many people prefer HTTP downloads, but that is simply because they may not know how to use Bittorrent to maximum efficiency. Once you learn, you likely won't spend hours searching for direct download files when you can simply open up Bittorrent and download away! The following tutorial will hopefully help you in your quest to download bittorrent files and perhaps you won't be so afraid to give Bittorrent a try.

Step 1: Downloading Bittorrent

You have to download and install the bittorrent client first.

You can download Bittorrent (if running Windows) by going to this link. (http://bittorrent.com/) Once there select the mirror you would like to download from, and download the program and install it on your system by opening it up. It should only take a few moments.

Step 2: Find Torrent to Download

Ok, now you have Bittorrent installed on your system. You are now ready to download files. Once you find a place that serves bittorrent files (look at links on the right for some good sites) , move on to Step 3 of this tutorial.

Step 3: Save Torrent File to System

You should now be on the page that you intend to download the TORRENT file from. You see a list of file names, you can do one of two things now. Either click on the file and have it download to your Temporary internet folder and open automatically, or the suggested method of Right Clicking on the link, and going to Save Target As, as seen in this screenshot.

Step 4: Open Torrent File

Assuming you followed the suggested way on Step 3, you should have the TORRENT file located somewhere on your system. You should now click on the "Open" button as seen right here. If you didn't follow the suggested way on Step 3, you can skip this step and move on to the next.

Step 5: Save Actual File to System

This box should have popped up as soon as you followed Step 4. It asks you to save the file, this is the actual file you are downloading, not the TORRENT file. You can change this name to anything you desire, and save it to the most convenient place on your PC.

Step 6: Let The File Download

This step is simply what it states, you must let Bittorrent download the file before you are able to play it, just like any form of downloading. While the file is downloading, you can minimize Bittorrent and move on.

Step 7: While Your File Downloads

While your file downloads to your local system, you are able to minimize the Bittorrent window. When you do this a little icon appears on your Taskbar. As you can see on the top image is a grey box, this means Bittorrent is still downloading the file. On the bottom is a white box, this means that the file is done downloading and you can close Bittorrent at any time, or leave it open to continue sharing the file to other people just like you.

Step 8: After Your Download

As previously mentioned, you can now close Bittorrent, or leave it open while you watch the file. It is suggested that you seed the file a little, seeing as how if noone seeded Bittorrent would never work and the whole network would be shutdown. Your file should be completely downloaded, and you can now find it wherever you selected to have it downloaded on your system, open it, and enjoy!

I hope this tutorial helped some of you who are looking to use Bittorrent. You now know the ins and outs of the Bittorrent program developed by Bram Cohen and should be ready to dive right in and download! Once again, if you need a list of places to download look at the links on the top right.