This wikiHow teaches you how to optimize uTorrent for fast download speeds and internet security on Windows computers. On Mac computers, the program is already configured if you use the default settings. You can restore the settings by uninstalling and reinstalling uTorrent if you ever changed those settings.
Step
Part 1 of 8: Using the Proper Torrent Protocol
Step 1. Download and install uTorrent
If you don't already have uTorrent on your computer, make sure you download and install it first before moving on to the next step.
- To configure uTorrent on a Mac computer, simply download and install it using the default settings. You can remove it first if it is already installed.
- Installing uTorrent using the default installation settings can save you time configuring uTorrent that you do later on.
Step 2. Only download torrents from trusted sites
Make sure you download torrents from sites with " https:// " in the front of the address. Most browsers will send a warning if the site you're about to visit isn't secure, but double check the "https" marker to be sure.
Step 3. Check the comments regarding the download
Even if the sites you visit are safe, infected or malicious torrents can still enter. Read user comments regarding the torrent you want to download to make sure the content is safe before you download it.
You can also check the value of the content to make sure the comments are correct. If a torrent generally has positive reviews and ratings, the content is usually safe to download
Step 4. Make sure the download has more seeds (donors) than leeches (downloaders)
Basically, torrents should have more supporting users compared to downloading users. The large number of supported users can increase the download speed and complete the fulfillment of downloaded files.
Step 5. Download torrents during off-peak hours
Try downloading files at night or in the morning to avoid bandwidth problems.
Step 6. Use an ethernet cable if possible
If your computer has an ethernet port, you can connect your computer directly to your router via an ethernet cable to strengthen your internet connection. With this connection, the download speed and internet security will increase.
Modern Mac laptops don't have an Ethernet port
Step 7. Download one torrent at a time
Limit downloads to one file at a time so that the download speed is not compromised by other files, unless you really need to download several files at once.
Part 2 of 8: Configuring General Settings
Step 1. Open uTorrent
Double-click the uTorrent app icon, which looks like a white "µ" on a light green background.
Step 2. Click Options
It's in the upper-left corner of the uTorrent window. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 3. Click Preferences
It's at the top of the drop-down menu Options ”.
Step 4. Select the language
Click the " Language " drop-down box, then click the language you want to use in uTorrent.
Step 5. Determine if uTorrent is allowed to start at the start of the computer loading
If you don't want the program to start when the computer starts/loads, uncheck the "Start Torrent with Windows starts" box.
Step 6. Make sure updates are installed automatically
Check the box " Automatically install updates " if not already.
You can also check the "Notify me before installing updates" box to make sure uTorrent doesn't “surprise” you with an update in the middle of important computer/internet activity
Step 7. Prevent sharing of detailed information
Uncheck the "Send detailed info when checking for updates" box. With this option, personal information or activity in uTorrent will not be shared with uTorrent parties/servers.
Part 3 of 8: Configuring Download Locations
Step 1. Click the Directories tab
This tab is on the left side of the window.
Step 2. Check the box " Move completed downloads to"
This box is at the top of the window.
Step 3. Click…
It's to the right of the " Move completed downloads to " box.
Step 4. Select a folder
Click a folder (eg Desktop ”) which you want to use as the storage location for the downloaded file.
Step 5. Click Select Folder
It's in the lower-right corner of the window. After that, the selected folder will be saved.
Step 6. Repeat this process for each directory you want to use
Check the box next to one of the following options, then click “ … ” and select a folder:
- ” Put new downloads in ” (folder to store new downloads)
- ” Store.torrents in ” (folder to store.torrents files)
- ” Move.torrents for finished jobs to ” (folder where the finished.torrents file is stored)
- ” Automatically load.torrents from ” (automatic.torrents file loading folder)
Part 4 of 8: Configuring Connections
Step 1. Click the Connections tab
This tab is on the left side of the window.
Step 2. Change the " Incoming connections " port to 45682
It's a text field in the upper-right corner of the window.
Step 3. Enable port mapping
Click each of the following boxes if they are not already marked:
- ” Enable UPnP port mapping ”
- ” Enable NAT-PMP port mapping ”
Step 4. Allow uTorrent to bypass/break through Firewall defenses
Click the "Add Windows Firewall exception" box if it's not already checked.
Part 5 of 8: Configuring Bandwidth Settings
Step 1. Click the Bandwidth tab
This tab is on the left side of the window.
Step 2. Increase the maximum number of connections
Type 500 into the text field to the right of the "Global maximum number of connections" heading.
Step 3. Increase the maximum number of peers that can connect
Type 500 into the text field to the right of the "Maximum number of connected peers per torrent" heading.
Step 4. Check the "Apply rate limit to UTP connections" box
This box is in the "Global Rate Limit Options" settings section of this page.
Step 5. Check the box "Use additional upload slots…"
This box is at the bottom of the page.
Part 6 of 8: Configuring BitTorrent Settings
Step 1. Click the BitTorrent tab
This tab is on the left side of the window.
Step 2. Disable the limiting feature
Uncheck the "Limit local peer bandwidth" and "Enable Altruistic Mode" boxes.
Step 3. Check every other box on this page
If the other boxes on this page are already checked, skip this step.
Step 4. Click the “Outgoing” drop-down box
This box is under the "Protocol Encryption" heading. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 5. Click Forced
uTorrent will be set to always use the encryption protocol so that overall security can be improved.
Part 7 of 8: Configuring Download Queue Settings
Step 1. Click the Queueing tab
This tab is on the left side of the window.
Step 2. Check the maximum active torrent value
You can see the number "8" in the box to the right of the "Maximum number of active torrents" heading. If there are different numbers, delete the numbers and type 8 in the text field.
Step 3. Lower the maximum value of active downloads
By default, the number shown to the right of the " Maximum number of active downloads " heading is "5", but you need to delete it and type 1 in the text field.
Step 4. Check the "Minimum ratio (%)" box
If there is a "200" in the box, you are done Configuring. Otherwise, replace the number in the column with 200.
Part 8 of 8: Configuring Cache Settings
Step 1. Click + on the left of options Advanced.
It's in the lower-left corner of the window. You can see several new tabs displayed.
Step 2. Click Disk Cache
This option is under the “ Advanced ”.
Step 3. Uncheck the "Increase automatic cache size when cache thrashing" box
This box is at the bottom of the program window.
Step 4. Check the other boxes on this page
If all the boxes are checked, skip this step.
Step 5. Change the cache size
In the text field to the right of the "Override automatic cache size and specify the size manually (MB)" heading, delete the displayed number and type 1800.
Step 6. Click Apply, then click OK.
These two options are at the bottom of the window. After that, all settings will be saved and applied to uTorrent. Now you can download torrent files with optimal speed and security.
