Downloading files on the BitTorrent network is not rocket-science, but it requires a bit more attention than just clicking a link.

1. Get a client and install it

We recommend the open-source client Azureus. There are numerous other clients around, it's basically a matter of taste.

2. Click on the torrent link

On our site, click the torrent link of the file you'd like to download. Your browser will download a small .torrent file, which contains only metadata that your client needs for downloading (connecting to peers etc.); that's why it's only a few KBs in size. Open that file in your client (may happen automatically).

3. Let the client download

Your client will ask you where to save the file (this time it's not about meta-data, but the actual thing), and start downloading after you picked a location. Download speed depends on how many peers there are at a given moment. When a torrent has only just started out, or in general if there are little peers, the download rate may suck. So hang in there! If you don't get a connection at all (error messages in the client), try switching off your firewall, and start the torrent again. If it works then, open local ports 6881-6999 and port 6969 on your firewall and switch it on again. Those are needed for communication with the tracker. Turn to Brian's BitTorrent FAQ & Guide if that doesn't help. Also, you can post your problem in our BitTorrent Help - Forum, you'll get help there very quickly.

4. Keep the torrent open

.. in your client, and upload at least until your upload/download ratio has reached 100%. If you're a nice fellow and you can spare some bandwidth, share the file beyond that point. This will help keeping the torrents alive.

For more information, and for those rare cases where the above instructions do not suffice, turn to our BitTorrent Help - Forum and/or
Brian's BitTorrent FAQ & Guide

If you still can't get downloads to work, don't hesitate to post your questions here.