Note: uTorrent was one of the most popular torrent downloading programs based on BitTorrent. We recommend looking elsewhere due to multiple malware additions, including installing two web browsers and a malware redirect website. The older, free Utorrent is available for download here and the portable version can be found here.

uTorrent: Lightweight Torrent Giant

uTorrent is one of the most popular BitTorrent clients in the world, boasting over 100 million active users. Originally launched in 2005, it quickly gained a reputation for being a fast, lightweight, and efficient way to download torrents. While uTorrent was initially open-source, it later became proprietary software after being acquired by BitTorrent Inc.

How uTorrent Works

uTorrent utilizes the BitTorrent protocol to download files from multiple sources simultaneously, ensuring faster speeds than traditional downloads. When you download a torrent file, it acts as a roadmap, telling uTorrent where to find the pieces of the file scattered across other users’ computers (peers). The more peers sharing the file, the faster your download will be.

Features & Functionality

Despite its small size, uTorrent packs a variety of features, including:

● Prioritized Downloads – Choose which files to download first.
● Scheduling – Set downloads to run during off-peak hours.
● Bandwidth Management – Control how much of your internet connection is used.
● Remote Access – Manage downloads from a web browser or mobile device.

The Downsides of uTorrent

Over the years, uTorrent has faced criticism for its shift away from its open-source roots and the addition of intrusive ads, bundled software, and even a controversial cryptocurrency miner in 2015 (which was later removed). These additions and removals make it harder and harder to trust the client we once relied on

Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons:

Pros:
● Lightweight and fast
● Feature-rich with advanced settings
● Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile

Cons:
● No longer open-source
● Includes ads and bloatware
● Less privacy-focused than some alternatives

The Geek Verdict

uTorrent is still a solid torrent client, but its move toward monetization and proprietary software has led some users to seek alternatives like qBittorrent, which remains open-source and ad-free. That said, if you don’t mind tweaking some settings and avoiding optional installs, uTorrent remains one of the easiest torrent clients to use. But, if you really want uTorrent as a client - buy the paid version. The free version is too bloated.

Here are some alternatives to uTorrent:

qBittorrent
Vuze
Deluge
Tixati
Transmission

These clients are all free and open-source, and they do not include adware or bloatware.

If you want Utorrent anyway, click on the Author's link above. Good luck. You're going to need it.

Video tutorial:

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