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Optimal uTorrent Settings

This post is part of the Ultimate beginners guide for torrents article, please read the full guide.

Are you having troubles getting some decent download speeds from your uTorrent? I was having some myself recently so I decided to sack the default settings and pimp it up a bit to suit my taste.One thing you must know when it comes to torrents is that the more you upload the higher your speeds will be, torrent clients are programmed to reward people who upload very fast with a greater download speed.In this tutorial not only will I tweak your utorrent download settings but I will also help you improve your upload settings.

So lets get to it then,first off I want you to open up your browser and go to SpeedTest.net, run a test and keep the results open cause we will use them further down in this guide.Open up your uTorrent go to Options > Preferences…

GENERAL

User Interface Settings:

    » Check for updates automatically - CHECKED
    » Confirm when deleting torrents - CHECKED
    » Show confirmation dialog on exit - UNCHECKED

System Tray:

    » Close to tray - UNCHECKED
    » Always show tray icon - CHECKED
    » Show balloon notifications in tray - CHECKED
    » Minimize to tray - CHECKED
    » Single click on tray icon to open - CHECKED
    » Always activate when clicked - CHECKED

Display Options:

    » Alternate list background color - CHECKED
    » Show current speed in the title bar - UNCHECKED
    » Show graphical progress bar - CHECKED
    » Show speed limits in the status bar - UNCHECKED

Windows Integration:

    » Associate with .torrent files - PRESSED
    » Check association on startup - CHECKED
    » Start uTorrent on system startup - UNCHECKED

DOWNLOADS

Location of Downloaded Files:

    » All this is optional by you

When Adding Torrent:

    » Don’t start the download automatically - UNCHECKED
    » Show a window that display the files inside the torrent - CHECKED
    » Activate the program window - CHECKED

Other Settings:

    » Append .!ut to incomplete files - UNCHECKED
    » Prevent standby if there are active torrents - CHECKED
    » Pre-allocate all files - UNCHECKED

CONNECTION

Listening Port:

    » Port used for incoming connections: - 45682
    » Randomize port each time uTorrent starts - UNCHECKED
    » Enable UPnP port mapping - UNCHECKED
    » Add uTorrent to Windows Firewall exceptions - CHECKED

Proxy Server:

    » Type: - (none)

Bandwidth Limiting:

Now this is a bit of a tricky part, remember that speedtest I told you to take at the beginning of this guide? we’re going to use the results.Take your upload speed and divide it by 10 (use the windows calculator), I got 20.9. We only want to use about 85% of that so grab the calculator and work out your result x 0.85 = maximum upload rate. Mine was 17.765 but since uTorrent only allows round numbers, I’ll rounded it up to 18.

    » Global maximum upload rate (KB/s): - The result of the division and multiplication above.
    » Alternate upload rate when not downloading (KB/s) - UNCHECKED

BITTORRENT

Number of Connections:

    » Global maximum number of connections: - The upload speed from the speed test.
    » Maximum number of connected peers per torrent - 16

The number of upload slots per torrent is another little tricky part, go back to the Connection tab and look at your Global Maximum upload rate, grab that number and divide it by 4. In my case the result is 4.5, I’ll go on the safe side and round it up to 4 instead of 5.

    » Number of upload slots per torrent: - The result of the division above.
    » Use additional upload slots if upload speed < 90% - CHECKED

Additional BitTorrent Features:

    » Enable DHT Network - CHECKED
    » Enable DHT for new torrents - CHECKED
    » Ask tracker for scrape information - CHECKED
    » Enable Peer Exchange - CHECKED
    » IP/Hostname to report to tracker - BLANK

Protocol Encryption:

    » Outgoing - DISABLED

Enable Outgoing if you are being unfairly throttled by your ISP.

    » Allow incoming legacy connections - CHECKED

QUEUEING

Queueing Settings:

    » Maximum number of active torrents (upload or download) - 10
    » Maximum number of active downloads - 5

Seed While [Default values]:

    » Leave it all like it is.

When Torrent has reached the seeding goal:

    » Limit the upload rate to [use 0 to stop torrent] - UNCHECKED

SCHEDULER

    » Thats up to you, if you want to create schedules for uTorrent to run and download every day.

OTHER

    » Leave it all how it is.

ADVANCE

Only modify this if you plan on patching the TCPIP.sys file which I specify how to do at the bottom of this page.Click on net.max_halfopen change the value from 8 to 40, and click Set.

Now click the Apply button, and click OK. Your changes have been saved! :)

NOTE:To increase speed even more I suggest you do the following, patch the TCPIP.sys file.Why? Windows XP SP2 and Vista limits the number of half-connections to 10. This limitation can impact your bittorrent experience.How? see below:

Windows XP Users:

    1. Go to lvllord.de
    2. Click on Downloads.
    3. Right-click the link (english or german) and click “Save Target As”.
    4. Save it in your Desktop.
    5. Open the file and run the program located inside the archive, agreeing to the security warning.
    6. Some text should scroll by in a MS-DOS window, after it ends, type C.
    7. Enter 50 for the number of concurrent half-open connections and press Enter.
    8. Type Y and the file should be patched. Cancel any Windows XP warnings that should appear, it is part of Microsoft’s way of ensuring its files are not tampered with (the utility tempers them to break the limit on purpose).

Windows Vista Users:

    1. Go to yaronmaor.net
    2. Look for the item named - EventID4226Fix for Windows Vista (Line 2)
    3. Right-click the link and click “Save Target As”.
    4. Save it in your Desktop.
    5. Extract all contents of the file to a folder.
    6. If you are running 64-bit Vista, double click on InstallPatch64.bat. If you are running 32-Bit Vista, double click on InstallPatch32.bat. Unsure? Run InstallPatch32.bat.
    7. Some text should scroll by in a MS-DOS window, after it ends, type Y and press Enter.
    8. After the restart notice appears, press any key and restart your PC.

TIP: If you use Comodo Personal Firewall, you might want to check out our guide on how to unblock uTorrent from Comodo’s blocked list.

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43 Responses

  1. what are torrents,how to use torrents,where to find torrents,torrents tutorial,what are .torrent files,best bit torrent client,best torrent tracking websites,how torrents works,how to download with torrents,improve torrent speeds,torrent guide,beginners t

    […] BitTorrent Clients: » 1. uTorrent [optimal uTorrent settings] » 2. Azureus [optimal Azureus settings, best Azureus plugins.] » 3. BitComet [optimal BitComet […]

  2. Jenn

    I tried changing the settings and my speed is still really slow. My download speed varies from about 12 to a max of about 20kB/s. Upload is about the same. What can I do to make this faster?

  3. Matthew M

    what kind of connection do you have? have you got any firewall that might be blocking you or router? you should also do a spyware/virus scan just in case.

  4. Ghillie Suits » Optimal uTorrent Settings This post is part of t

    […] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerpt warnings that should appear, it is part of Microsoft s way of ensuring its files are not tampered […]

  5. My Ghillie » Optimal uTorrent Settings This post is part of t

    […] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerpt warnings that should appear, it is part of Microsoft s way of ensuring its files are not tampered […]

  6. Rabee3

    Hey, I installed the TCPIP.sys patch and now i want it gone. Can somebody tell me how to do that. its not in the programs and features as I am using windows vista….Thanks

  7. Matthew M

    Unless you find a default copy of the TCPIP.sys file for vista you can insert the Vista install disk and use Command Prompt to copy and paste the file from the disk to your TCPIP.sys file location.

  8. Idle Jet

    Works perfect for me download speed went from 34kps to 340 kbps…
    Awesome guide now i understand utorrent alot better

  9. Cynical2k

    Cool guide, i’m new to torrents since i’ve been using limewire.
    I tripped out when you mentioned the tcp/ip tweak and have used to patch in the past. I check the site from time 2 time for tweak info or wares reviews. Keep up the good work!!

  10. Mark Howard

    torrents depend on seeds and leechers

    if it has 20 seeds and 30 leechers then the download speed will be slower

    look for torrents with higher seed amount and when download complete let your file upload so it helps others get it as well

  11. tony rogers

    How do i get more seeds for the download
    7(89) with 89 being the amount detected but 7 is the amount i access

  12. tony rogers

    :eek:

  13. William Xec

    thanx worked alot
    nice guide

    :grin:

  14. neorang

    heeeeeeelpme
    didn’t work

    :cry:

  15. alok

    nothing happened

  16. Guitarist55

    it kinda worked for me

    i just wish there were more seeders and peers
    =(

  17. windows vista ultimate torrent

    windows vista ultimate torrent…

    yes indeed……

  18. j_h_o_h

    Hi Everyone,

    I’ve tried all this, but nothing really happened. It doesn’t matter anyway. I’ve question… What will be the difference using port45682, 45683, 45684 other than something else? I’ve been trying the famous port8080… Does the port impacts on the download speed considerably??? :\

  19. Matthew M

    Hey J,

    I don’t think the port does much of a difference when it comes to download speeds, I’ve tried several “famous” ports and get the same speed with any other one…

  20. Paul

    Hi,
    The TCPIP tweak, does it work for general internet browsing, watching movies online, normal downloads, etc or for torrent downloads only?

  21. sarcastichippo

    good guide but for vista users

    remember when opening the patch RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR else the file does not copy and it will not work :)

  22. Verdi

    Thankies!!
    Finally something that actually works and isn’t as if the people are picking random numbers!
    Cheers Much

  23. port forwading help - India Broadband Forum

    […] have been repeated quite a few times. Optimize Your BitTorrent Download Speed | TorrentFreak and utorrent,settings,best utorrent settings,optimize utorrent speed,how to make utorrent download faste… (Thanks to Osiris and Kyrl….who were they i don’t know) Now how are you connected to your […]

  24. Amy

    Nothing happened. Oh well.

  25. Charlie

    GOD BLESS YOU MATE!!!

    My download rate went from 14kbs to 150!!! Oh my lord….THANK YOU!!!

    :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

  26. Ian

    Hi,

    When I go to open the TCPIP.sys file windows asks me what progam to use to open the file.

    Any one help?

    Cheers,

  27. Ian

    Sorry Guys,

    My dumb ass worked it out!!

  28. arthur brogard

    Thanks for this discussion, I too think it feels more reliable than many other such I’ve looked at.

    I’ve got an adsl connection 512 down, 128 up and the speedtest shows I’m getting only 482 down and 100 up.

    So this should be about 48kBs down.

    I’m actually getting a maximum of about 7kBs.

    I have set everything as per this blog. Except you didn’t mention the download setting so I put that at 90% of the download speedtest as suggested in some other forum. i.e. at 45kBs on my system.

    I’m currently connected to two torrents and one has (when I last looked) seeds 6(39) peers 8(223) and the other has seeds 11(30) and peers 1(634).

    They both run with a max download of 7, frequently falling to about 2 and often even below 1.

    I have had better results from this same machine, same utorrent installation previously. My original settings were not so different from yours.

    I’ve switched off all such things as Scotty and various other spam and adware watchers and such.

    It seems that the biggest probably cause still hanging out is the actual Torrent one is connected to, which is why I quoted the seeds and peers of them.

    Do you think that’s my problem? Does anyone have any other advice. I’m running the latest utorrent version.

    Is there a torrent somewhere we can download as a test sample, somehow that shows how well your configuration will operate if it is not constrained by any problems with seeds or peers or whatever ?

    regards,

    ab :)

  29. pp

    basic configuration works great .. my speed improved from average 20kb/s to average 60kb/s

    thanks lots

  30. milkyjoe

    hi i did the final step, the dos screen 50 half open thingies…and then this window has popped up ‘windows file protection’

    ”Files that are required for Windows to run properly have been
    replaced by unrecognized versions. To maintain system stability,
    Windows must restore the original versions of these files.
    Insert your Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 CD now”

    then

    ”You chose not to restore the original versions of the files. This may affect Windows stability.
    Are you sure you want to keep these unrecognized file versions?”

    im scared..what do i do?

  31. Jay

    This helped me alot, my download speed was stuck at 2-300, now it’s between 4 and 900kbps. :D

  32. TIMMY

    Great guide. Thanks dude! :cool:

  33. sandy

    dude i had better speed when i didn’t took the test,,wtf? what’s the problem?thnx :cry:

  34. torrent

    :mrgreen: Yeah my download speed was before this guide 7kb/s and after this guide it was 43kb/s so thankx

  35. eli

    so at first this didnt seem to make any impact, my down rate was 0.16 which made for horrible download times [pretty much always just showed the infinity symbol!] i closed uTorrent and then reopened it, and it immediately took affect. my rate went to around 30kb/s. BUT then it dropped to 14kb/s. also, i am curious as to why it only shows seeds 0(59) and peers 6(181) twhen it had previously been seeds 2(2) and peers 1(248). i am new to this and dont really understand what this all means though. any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

  36. Mike

    ok so i tried everything here but its still like 4.2KB/s
    is there anything i can do to make it faster?
    mines version 1.7.7 is that why?
    the game i tried was castlevania: symphony of the night please help? :cry: thanks

  37. Rob

    :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: i tried these speed up things and didnt really get anything good, it slowed below 10 kb\s so i just reinstalled it then loaded the torrents again from the site i go them from, if it messed up ur downloads just do that, best of luck to u all, hope u get the opposite of what i go :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :!:

  38. gaunta

    hey everybody
    do i open it with microsoft picture it
    thanks

  39. gaunta

    sorry, do i open the download with picture it.

  40. Mayhem

    NEED help ppl…
    i got the numbers but i can’t use them i mean put them in the right places because of the . . . . 0(.)27625
    tell me what to do :cry: :sad: :sad: :sad:

  41. Martín

    Hi, I need some help, cause it didn`t work.

    1.-does it make any difference that i`m not in US (i`m in Buenos AIres, Agentina… forgive my spelling!)

    2 -My speed test resultes in 4 values:
    First 128K took 483 ms = 271371 Bytes/sec = Speed aprox: 2171 Kbps
    second 128K took 546 ms = 240059 Bytes/sec = speed aprox 1920 Kbps
    Third 128K took 540 ms = 242726 Bytes/sec = speed aprox aproximada: 1942 Kbps
    Fourth 128K took 588 ms = 222912 Bytes/sec =speed aprox: 1783 Kbps

    Which should be my bandwith limit: 18 or 180

    well, hope i can get an answer cause im quite lost and my download speed suks! around 5 kb/s, 20 top, before i started messing around with the settings

    thanks!

  42. saib

    that patch …my anti virus setect a trojan! dont u hav an alternate file ? :(

  43. MANISH

    My downloading speed is 20-25kbps.
    after apply all above instrution I remain same.
    I use broadband connection.
    I see other have 200kbps what shoud I do .






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