BitTorrent

BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file-distribution protocol that lets you download large files without putting too much strain on one single server, because the download is distributed. Opera comes with built-in support for the BitTorrent protocol.

Although frequently referred to as "downloading", the BitTorrent protocol relies on all users to be recipients and distributors of .torrent files. While you download a BitTorrent archive to your computer, you are also helping to distribute it to other users. It is not possible to download without uploading, although you can set restrictions on bandwidth usage.

Note: BitTorrent is enabled by default, but it may be disabled; see Turn BitTorrent off below. For details about disabling this system-wide, see the System Administrator's Handbook.

Use BitTorrent

To use BitTorrent to download a file:

1. Click a .torrent link.
2. In the resulting dialog, specify where you want to downloaded the file. You can also change BitTorrent preferences from this dialog.
3. Click "Yes" to start downloading.
4. After some of the file has been downloaded to your computer, you will start sharing the parts you have already received with other BitTorrent users, also known as peers. The more peers that help distribute a file, the faster the download will be. You will continue sharing content even after your download has finished.
5. To stop sharing, either stop the file transfer, or close Opera.

Warnings

The first time you use BitTorrent, your operating system or firewall may warn you that it has just blocked Opera. This happens because Opera attempts to open the necessary server port for sharing content, and your firewall just wants to make sure that these ports are not opened without your knowledge. If this happens, just unblock Opera before proceeding.

If you find that BitTorrent does not work for you, see Listen port and testing below.

Turn BitTorrent on

Opera's built-in client for BitTorrent is enabled by default. If you have disabled it and wish to enable it again, follow the steps below:

1. Follow this link or copy and paste it in the address field: opera:config#BitTorrent|Enable
2. Click to add a tick to the checkbox marked "Enable".
3. Click the "Save" button. You may need to exit and restart the browser for changes to take effect.

Turn BitTorrent off

To disable Opera's BitTorrent client, follow the steps below:

1. Follow this link or copy and paste it in the address field: opera:config#BitTorrent|Enable
2. Click to remove the tick in the checkbox marked "Enable".
3. Click the "Save" button. You may need to exit and restart the browser for changes to take effect.

Using a third-party BitTorrent client

If you do not necessarily want to disable Opera's BitTorrent client but wish to use a third-party client instead, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Settings > Preferences > Advanced > Downloads
2. Click to remove the tick in the checkbox marked "Hide file types opened with Opera".
3. Type "torrent" in the search field.
4. Double-click the line that looks like this:
   application/x-bittorrent torrent

From this dialog, select either:

• Open with default application — use your system's default BitTorrent client
• Open with other application — define a preferred client

Note that this will not actually disable Opera's BitTorrent client, but it will associate torrent files with your preferred BitTorrent client.

Change BitTorrent preferences

Access BitTorrent preferences from the dialog that is displayed when you start a torrent transfer.

You can specify how much bandwidth to allow for downloading and uploading respectively. For example, if you find that BitTorrent takes up too much of your available network capacity with the default automatic bandwidth restriction, adjust these settings.

Listen port and testing

Your computer may not be set up to share BitTorrent files. To test this, follow the steps below:

1. In the preferences, use the "Test" button next to the "Incoming listen port" field to check whether your current setup will work.
2. If the test fails, try the following:
   • Change the port details in the field that specifies which port should be listening for incoming connections.
   • Check whether the ports used for BitTorrent are blocked by your service provider or system administrator.
   • Change the setup of your router and/or firewall to allow incoming BitTorrent connections on the specified port.

See also: BitTorrent in Wikipedia