You can optimize µTorrent for faster download speeds and secure your access to your Windows computer. If you are using µTorrent on a Mac, the program is already configured if you are using the default settings. You can reset them by uninstalling it and reinstalling it if you have touched the settings.
Steps
Part 1 of 8: Use the right torrent protocol
Step 1. Download and install µTorrent
If you haven't already installed it on your computer, you should make sure you downloaded and installed it correctly before continuing.
- To set it up on a Mac, you just need to download and install it with default settings. You can uninstall it first if you have already installed it.
- By installing it with the default settings, it will be much easier for you to configure it later.
Step 2. Download it only from known sites
Make sure you've downloaded it from sites that start with "https://" in front of the address. Most browsers will warn you if the site is not secure, but you can check for "https" to make sure yourself.
Step 3. Check the comments of the download
Even if the site is safe, it is still possible to find infected or malicious torrents. Read user reviews to verify that the files you want to download are safe before downloading them.
You can also check the note to confirm the comments. If the torrent has generally positive ratings and reviews, it should be safe
Step 4. Make sure it has more seeders than leechers
This basically means that there are more people distributing the file than people who downloaded it, which is going to give you faster download speed and full file reception.
Step 5. Download when there is less traffic
Try to download it overnight or early in the morning to avoid bandwidth issues.
Step 6. Use an Ethernet cable (if possible)
If your computer has an Ethernet port, you can connect it directly to the router with an Ethernet cable for a faster connection. This will increase the download speed and the security of your connection at the same time.
Modern Macs don't have an Ethernet port
Step 7. Download one torrent at a time
Unless you absolutely have to download multiple files at once, you should limit your download to just one to make sure the connection speed is not affected.
Part 2 of 8: Configure General Settings
Step 1. Open µTorrent
Double-click the software icon that looks like a “µ” on a light green background.
Step 2. Click Options
You'll find it at the top left of the window. A drop-down menu should open.
Step 3. Click Preferences
This option is near the top of the drop-down menu Options.
Step 4. Choose the language
Click on the menu Languages, and then select the language you want to use for the software.
Step 5. Decide if you want to launch it on startup
If you don't want it to open when you start the computer, you can uncheck the box Start µTorrent when Windows starts.
Step 6. Automatically download updates
Check the box Automatically install updates if it is not already checked.
- You can also check the box Notify me when an update is ready to be installed to make sure µTorrent doesn't surprise you with updates in the middle of something big.
Step 7. Avoid sharing detailed information
Uncheck the box Send detailed information while checking for updates. This is to prevent the software from sharing information about your activity and usage of µTorrent.
Part 3 of 8: configure the location of downloads
Step 1. Click the Folder tab
You will see it on the left side of the window.
Step 2. Select the Move completed downloads check box
You should find it near the top of the window.
Step 3. Click…
You will see it on the right of the box Move completed downloads.
Step 4. Choose a folder
Click on a folder (for example Office) that you want to use to store your completed downloads.
Step 5. Select Choose Folder
You will find it in the lower right corner of the window. This will save the selected folder.
Step 6. Repeat for each folder you want to use
To do this, check the box next to each of these options, then click … and choose the folder.
- Put new downloads in
- Keep.torrent files in
- Move.torrent files from completed downloads to
- Automatically load.torrent files from
Part 4 of 8: Configure the connection
Step 1. Click the Connections tab
You will find it on the left of the window.
Step 2. Change the port for incoming connections to 45682
You will see the text field at the top right of the window.
Step 3. Activate the port mapping
Check each of the following boxes if they are not already checked.
- Activate the UpnP port mapping
- Enable NAT-PMP port mapping
Step 4. Authorize µTorrent at the firewall
Check the box Add an exception to the Windows firewall if the box is not already checked.
Part 5 of 8: Configure Bandwidth Settings
Step 1. Click the Bandwidth tab
You will see it on the left of the window.
Step 2. Increase the maximum number of connections
Type 500 in the text field to the right of Global maximum number of connections.
Step 3. Increase the number of connected peers
Type 500 in the text field to the right of Maximum number of peers connected per torrent.
Step 4. Select the Apply rate limit to uTP connections check box
You will see it in the section Global rate limit options on this page.
Step 5. Check the Use additional download slots box
This option is at the bottom of the page.
Part 6 of 8: Configure BitTorrent Settings
Step 1. Click on BitTorrent
You will find it on the left of the window.
Step 2. Disable the throttling options
Uncheck the box Limit the bandwidth of local peers and Activate altruistic mode.
Step 3. Check all other boxes on the page
If they all are already, you can skip this step.
Step 4. Click on the Outgoing menu
You will see it under the heading Protocol encryption. A drop-down menu should appear.
Step 5. Click Forced
This will force µTorrent to use protocol encryption all the time, which will increase its overall security.
Part 7 of 8: Configure Queue Settings
Step 1. Click the Queue tab
You will see it on the left of the window.
Step 2. Check the maximum value of active torrents
You should see an "8" in the box to the right of Maximum number of active torrents. If there is another digit, delete it and type 8 instead.
Step 3. Reduce the maximum value of active downloads
By default, the number to the right of Maximum number of active downloads is "5", but you should erase it and write 1 instead.
Step 4. Select the Minimum Ratio (%) check box
If you see the number "200" there, everything is fine, if not, replace the number with 200.
Part 8 of 8: Configure Cache Settings
Step 1. Click + to the left of Advances.
You will see it at the bottom left of the window. You should then see several tabs open.
Step 2. Select Disk Cache
This option can be found under the tab Advances.
Step 3. Clear the Increase cache size when full check box
You will see it towards the bottom of the window.
Step 4. Check all other boxes
If they're already checked, you're good to go.
Step 5. Change the cache size
In the text field to the right of Cancel the automatic cache size and specify a manual size (in MB), erase the number you see there and type 1800.
Step 6. Click Apply, then OK.
Both options are at the bottom of the window. This will save the settings and apply them to µTorrent. You should now be able to download the files with optimal speed and security.