Simple Utorrent Guide For New Users
Though this guide is based on the Utorrent 1.5, i think the settings on the version 1.6 are similar
The Simple uTorrent Guide for New Users
New 1.5 Client Download Here : uTorrent
Since it's conception, uTorrent has slowly become a premiere client packed with features, throttled by a growing install base. This guide is here to help users who are having trouble configuring the client.
Bear in mind this guide will be updated when felt needed or necessary.
Preferences > Network
Port used for incoming connections
- If you are experiencing slow speeds, this could very well be the culprit - especially under routers.
- Make sure you have either DMZ or Port Forwarding for the same port no. enabled for connections.
- If you are a Rogers, or Shaw user, you could very well be already 'throttled' which would result in very slow upload and download speeds. For Rogers users, for certain geographical areas, selecting port 1720 or 1755 resolves any problems with speeds for the moment.
Add uTorrent to Windows Firewall Exceptions
- Windows Firewall is an excellent built-in firewall option if you are just surfing around, and do not care much about extending your online experience through means of downloading, playing games, etc. Otherwise, I would advise disabling it completely to fully take advantage of your connection. However, if you do have the Firewall still enabled, make sure you have this checked on to include in the list of applications capable of accessing your connection.
Global Maximum Upload Rate
- Typically, the general rule is to set this to about 80-85% of your capable upload speed.
e.g., If you upload speed is 100 kB/s, you would set this setting to either 80 or 85.
- Others prefer to just keep it at '0', which signifies it will fully use your upload speed when available to do so. Keep in mind that general surfing, and browsing may become slower.
Protocol Encryption***
- With more and more ISP's throttling the BT Protocol, users are experiencing significantly slower upload speeds. As a result of slower uploads, slower downloads are also very commonly experienced. North America ISP's such as Rogers, Shaw, among others, have already implimented such questionable tactics.
- By enabling this option, you will be sending encrypted headers out to other users who have also enabled this feature. This will bypass any current known throttling technics, and will often yield significantly faster speeds.
- With Azureus and uTorrent co-operating to impliment Protocol Encryption, it only means the end user benefits. Please keep in mind that this is a very important feature, and for it to be fully implimented and maximized, it takes the co-operation of it's users to enable this feature.
Preferences > Advanced
net.low.cpu
- By default, this setting is set to 'true'. By switching this to 'false', you are telling uTorrent that you are allowing it to use more of your CPU power. This will help yield better speeds. If you are worried of it using too much CPU power, just keep in mind, no matter what you do, it will use less CPU power & memory than BitComet will - ever.
net.max_halfopen***
- This is an absolute make or break for your Bit Torrent speeds. With the advent of SP2, Windows XP limited your open TCP/IP connections to 10. Originally, this value was set to 50.
- Thankfully, there is an application you can download that can modify this value on your Windows system. Please direct yourself to: [url] Here[/url] and follow to the 'Download' section to download the DOS-based application that wil modify your TCPIP.SYS system file.
- I would recommend setting the value to about 50. In uTorrent, it is up to you whether you would like to take full advantage of this value or not. My personal general rule is setting it to about 3/4 of your open connections in your TCPIP.SYS.
- It should be noted that this is also the culprit for a lot of modem disconnects, and bad resetting connections. Because of SP2 limiting the TCP/IP connections, there is often an overflow of data that cannot be successfully transferred.
- Please be diligent in setting this value inside uTorrent.
peer.disconnect_inactive_interval
- Change this value to about 600.
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