torrenting guide

Torrenting Guide

Written by windchime

Edition 1.4

Last edited: 3.2025

Introduction

What is torrenting?

Torrenting is a way of acquiring and sharing data through a decentralised platform online. Your computer will put up a small 'flag', to signify what piece of data it is you are trying to acquire. Other computers that are on the torrent network that have the piece of data you are trying to acquire will break it into thousands of small fragments, and send the data to you piece by piece. Your torrent client (the torrenting program) will put up this 'flag', and will then reassemble the piece of data once all fragments have been received.

What do I need to torrent?

There are various different torrent clients used, but qbittorrent is the torrent client used in this guide.

1337x is the name of the website used to obtain these 'flags' (called 'magnet links'), which are needed to begin the torrenting process.

You should always access the websites with a VPN on (basically, a VPN hides what data is being sent into and out of your computer, and protects you from internet providers seeing what you are accessing). The recommended VPN* is called MullvadVPN, and costs a flat £4.18** a month. The recommended free VPN is ProtonVPN.

The torrent network

Once you open a magnet link on your torrent client, you will connect to the network, and your computer will 'leech' the data (essentially sign post “send the fragments of this data to me” to the other computers on the network, and begin accepting them).

Once all of the fragments have been leeched, the data will be reassembled on your computer, and your computer will begin to 'seed' the data (essentially, your computer will start sending fragments of the data to other computers on the network with the same magnet link).

The torrent network is built up by a system of computers seeding and leeching data to each other. It relies on computers seeding the data out, for others to be able to leech. This comes at a small cost to your internet speed, but is essential to the preservation of the network. Consider leaving your fully leeched data on your torrent client, and becoming a seeder, so that others can also enjoy the data you have acquired. Ensure a VPN is always on when doing this.

What is the law around torrenting?

Torrenting and seeding is not illegal, only torrenting and seeding copyrighted media you do not have the rights to own. This guide in no way suggests, recommends, or advises that you should do anything illegal. Full legal disclaimer is at the end of this guide.

VPNs are a necessity when torrenting. Free VPNs are available, but often have limited download speeds, and collect your data.

Using a free VPN will be safer than using no VPN, but will not provide a 0% risk of legal repercussions.

MullvadVPN is widely regarded as the best commercially available VPN in terms of privacy. Other VPNs can be faster or provide more functionality, but will still collect data on their users. MullvadVPN collect no data on their users, and has every feature needed for torrenting and general internet privacy.

Equivalent to €5, $5.18, SEK 57.50, A$8.32, CA$7.54, as of 2/25

Instructions

Preparation - programs

Download qbittorrent (torrent client) at https://www.fosshub.com/qBittorrent.html

Select the version for your operating system
Run the setup file and follow the instructions

Download MullvadVPN at https://mullvad.net/en/download/vpn/windows or

Download ProtonVPN at https://protonvpn.com/free-vpn/download

Preparation - adblocker

An adblocker is essential, as the 1337x site is riddled with ads and popups that make the site almost impossible to use without adblockers

The best extension for this is uBlock Origin, or alternatively uBlock Origin Lite

Depending on your web browser, search for the extension / add-ons page in your search bar:

Google Chrome - Chrome Store
Firefox - Firefox Extensions
Microsoft Edge - Microsoft Edge Add-ons
Safari - Safari Extensions

In the search bar, search uBlock Origin and add this to your browser

You are now ready to begin torrenting!

Steps

Turn your VPN on (N.B. ALWAYS turn your VPN on before anything else and turn it off again (if you choose to) after everything is completed and has been closed. See final three steps for instructions)

Go to

https://1337x-status.org/

and copy and paste a web link under the 'Offical domains' list at the bottom of the page into your browser

Type in the name of the media you wish to torrent in the search bar

Select a version of the media you wish to torrent

Things to consider when selecting the right version of your media

Quality - media often has the quality in the title (e.g. '720p', '1080p', '128kbps", '320kbps' etc.)

File size - higher quality media will have a longer torrent time (larger file size)

Subtitles - some media will come with subtitles. To check if there are subtitles available, look through the list of 'files' and look for files with 'subtitles' in the title, or files ending .srt. Sometimes it will state under the 'description' of the media whether there are subtitles available, and in which languages.

Once you have selected a version, press on 'magnet link'

A popup will appear in your browser, asking if it can open this link on your torrent client

Choose qbittorrent

Choose a place on your computer for the media to be torrented to

Press 'OK'

Torrenting will begin

Once completed, the torrent will read 'Seeding' on your client

If you choose to remove it, right-click on the torrent, and select 'Remove'

To close the program, first ensure all torrents are paused (or removed)

Right click on your torrents, and select 'Pause' / 'Remove'

Go to 'File -> Exit' to close the program

Turn off your VPN

Installations

Some media require further steps before they are fully installed. This is often the case for:

Software
Video games
Other programs

Often, there are instructions attached to the torrent which will explain what to do in a small .txt file, labelled 'README' or 'Install Instructions' or something similar

Or there are instructions at the bottom of the 'description' of the torrent

These can often be vague or difficult to follow. I will attempt to explain the common terms and instructions below (N.B. If you come across any other terms or instructions that are difficult to follow that should be added to the list (or you are in need of assistance yourself), contact the author)

Normally, there is a .exe file which will install the file. Once it is installed, do not open it until you have completed all the other steps in the instructions given

Make sure you take note of where the installer is installing the media

'Unrar' or 'Extract'

Right click on the folder with a zipped icon, and select 'Extract'

'Burn' or 'Mount'

Right click on the .iso file and select 'Mount' or 'Burn'
A disk drive will appear on your computers files, open this

'Copy crack to install dir'

Copy all the files OTHER than the .exe installer to the folder that the installer created
Replace ALL the files

Examples:

1. Unrar

2. Burn or mount the images

3. Install the game

4. Copy over the cracked content from the /Crack directory on the image on DVD3 to your game install directory

5. Play the game

1. Extract and burn or mount the .iso

2. Run SETUP.exe and install the game

3. Copy crack to install dir

4. Play

Legal Disclaimer

As mentioned before, torrenting and seeding is not illegal, only torrenting and seeding copyrighted media you do not have the rights to own

The UK Government commits very little resources into catching those acquiring data illegally through torrenting. Most of their efforts are directed towards distributors, rather than individuals torrenting media

You must always use a VPN when torrenting anything, and the only way to 100% guarantee online safety and protection from your torrenting being seen is to use Mullvad VPN

Using a free VPN will protect you, but is not a 100% guarantee

In the highly unlikely event you are caught and prosecuted for torrenting, a free VPN company may hand your data over to the law to be used as evidence

MullvadVPN collect no data on their users, and therefore do not have any data to hand over to law enforcement

Internet providers are instructed by the government to enforce their legislation and prevent illegal activity going on on their network

If your internet provider detects any traffic on your network relating to the illegal torrenting of data you do not have the rights to own (this will only happen if you are not using a VPN), you will (sometimes) be warned to cease your activity via email

Heed this warning, and protect your online activity immediately

Using a VPN is vital for online security and privacy

The author of this guide once again in no way suggests, recommends, or advises that you should do anything illegal, and accepts no responsibility should you be caught doing anything illegal

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