Games get bigger and bigger and downloading them starts to become a drag on your internet connection. If you frequently download video games, you should consider using torrents to make the most of your bandwidth. With this technology you'll be able to download large games faster than you would through a website, and the community helps minimize the risk of finding viruses by sharing only torrents that work. Remember that downloading games you don't own is illegal in many states.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Install the Required Programs
Step 1. Download and install a program that can extract files from archives
Almost all the games you will download are compressed using advanced storage applications that are not built into Windows. To extract the game files after downloading them, you need a special extraction program. Two of the most used are 7-Zip (7-zip.org) and WinRAR (rarlab.com).
- 7-Zip is a free program that can open almost any compressed file, including RAR and 7z formats. This is the best application for the tasks you need to perform.
- The trial version of WinRAR allows you to open files of many formats, but at the end of the free period, you will receive continuous notifications asking you to register.
Step 2. Download and install a torrent client
A lot of games are distributed using BitTorrent, a common method for sharing large files between multiple computers. To use BitTorrent, you need a client that can upload torrent files and connect to other users. One of the most used free programs is qBittorrent (qbittorrent.org. By choosing this application, you will not have to worry about additional adware. If you prefer a different client, such as uTorrent, read all the installation screens very carefully, so as not to install unwanted programs.
Step 3. Make sure your antivirus is up to date
Downloading games using torrents is one of the easiest ways to open the door to viruses on your computer. To prevent this problem, check that you have installed an antivirus and that the program is up to date. You can use Windows Defender, which is built into Microsoft's operating system, or a third-party application, such as BitDefender or Kaspersky.
- Read How to Activate Windows Defender for instructions on how to enable this program. If, on the other hand, you want guidance on how to install a different antivirus program, read How to Install an Antivirus. You should only choose one antivirus for your computer.
- Right-click on the antivirus icon in the system tray and select "Update" to check for updates.
Step 4. Install a virtual drive (optional)
Many games are in ISO format, which is a copy of a disc. To use these files, you need to write them to a real disk or mount them to a virtual drive. If you plan to install a lot of different games, using a virtual drive can save you a lot of money that you would spend on blank DVDs.
- One of the most used programs is Daemon Tools. Be careful when installing, so that you don't put unwanted applications on your computer.
- Windows 8 and later versions offer the ability to mount ISO files without resorting to other software.
Part 2 of 4: Finding Games to Download
Step 1. Get to know the basic operation of torrents
To use a torrent to download files, you need to upload it to your client. The program will then connect to the other computers that have the same torrent and start downloading the actual game files to the computer. The more people share a file, the faster it downloads.
You can download highly compressed versions of the games from various websites, but this method is not recommended, as they are often stripped of many files to make the total size smaller. As the cost of storage continues to drop, you will get a better gaming experience by downloading entire titles thanks to torrents
Step 2. Look for a torrent tracker
These are websites where torrent files are stored. You can use them as search engines to find the exact game you are looking for. The easiest way to find them is to type "torrent tracker" on your favorite search engine.
Many trackers you will find by searching on Google are public and everyone can use them. Exploring a little deeper, you will likely encounter some private trackers. The latter allow you to download games that are harder to find and avoid the channels most monitored by the authorities. Usually to use a private tracker you need an invitation from an already authorized user and almost always there are rules that require members to exchange as many upload data as they download
Step 3. Find the game you want to download
Use the tracker to search for the title you want. If this is a recent release, you will likely see more than one entry in the search results. If the game is older, however, you may find only one, two options, or even none.
In many states it is illegal to download a game you don't own
Step 4. Check all search results
The first thing you need to look at is the number of "Seeders". That value represents users who have the complete file and share it with others. Not only does a higher number result in a faster download speed, it often indicates that the file is genuine and working. This is especially important for games, as many are designed with protections that prevent users who haven't regularly purchased a copy from using them.
Step 5. Read the comments and information about the torrent before downloading it
Make sure it includes all the files you need to play, including any cracks that bypass copyright protection. In the information section you should find the complete list of files contained in the torrent. The comments section instead will be useful for you to understand if the torrent contains a virus. If many users complain about a virus in game files, avoid that torrent and look for another one.
Part 3 of 4: Download the Game
Step 1. Click the Download button or the Magnet link of the torrent file
Pressing Download will download a very small torrent file to your computer, which you will need to open to start the actual download within the torrent client. The Magnet link instead opens the client automatically, without downloading any files. You can use the method you prefer.
Step 2. Wait for the download to finish
Usually the speed will be slow at first, but it should speed up as you connect to more sources. Depending on the size of the file you want to download, the number of sources and the speed of your connection, a download can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days.
Step 3. Speed up the download (optional)
Some computers and network configurations make it difficult for other users to connect. There are several methods you can try to make the download faster.
- Make sure no other users on your network are using the connection, such as playing videos or playing online. Modern routers give BitTorrent traffic low priority if some other application is using the bandwidth. Make sure torrent traffic is the only one engaging the network if you need to download files quickly.
- Open the Options menu of your torrent client and open the "Connection" section. Check the "Enable UPnP port mapping" box. This helps the client to open the correct ports on the router. You must also enable UPnP on the router for the method to work. Read How to Access a Router for more information on how to open your router's configuration page.
- Put a limit on the upload speed in the "Speed" section of the Options menu. If a torrent takes up all of the outgoing bandwidth, it will likely slow down the rest of your computer and may even slow down your download. Set the upload speed to a lower value as you download, so you get the maximum speed.
Step 4. Scan the files after the download is complete
Run a virus scan after downloading the game files. For many antivirus, you can right click on the file or folder you are interested in and press "Scan". You can also run a full computer scan, which will take longer, however. This does not guarantee that the files are virus-free, but it does increase the chances of finding malicious code.
Part 4 of 4: Install and Play
Step 1. Find the game's README file
Almost all downloaded games have a text file with that name. It is strongly recommended that you read it before continuing with the installation, as many games require special steps to run.
Step 2. Mount or write the ISO file (if necessary)
If the game is in ISO format, you need to mount the file as a virtual disk or write it to a real disk in order to use it. Windows 8 and 10 users can right-click the file and select "Mount" to "insert" the ISO file into the virtual drive. If you are using Windows 7 or later, you can write an ISO file by right clicking and selecting "Write to disk".
- If you can't mount or write the ISO file, read How to Burn a DVD Using an ISO Image and How to Mount an ISO Image.
- Not all downloaded games are in ISO format. You may find a traditional installation file.
Step 3. Start the installation
Boot from disk or run setup file. The required operation is different for each game. Pay close attention to the installation instructions and make sure you follow the steps to the letter. If you don't, the game probably won't work.
- During installation, you may need to crack to bypass piracy protections. Be very careful when using cracks, as they are by far the most common methods of transmitting viruses.
- If you want to avoid all the risks, first install the game on a virtual machine and then apply the crack. Look for signs of infection in the virtual machine. If the game is clean, then you can install it on your real computer. Read How to Use VMware Workstation to find a guide on how to set up and use a virtual machine.
Step 4. Play
Once the game is installed, you should be able to run it. Again refer to the README file, because to start many pirated games you have to follow specific steps. For example, you may need to run a different file inside the game folder or apply a special crack on each startup.
