Torrents are one of the most popular ways to share files online. You can find just about any game through various torrent sites online. Installing a game downloaded via torrent is a bit more complicated than installing a purchased game. You will need to crack the copy protection that the game has. This wikiHow teaches you how to download and install a game from a torrent.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Download the torrent
Step 1. Understand the risks and the legality
Many torrent files contain copyrighted material that is illegal to download and install in most countries. In addition to the fines, you could lose your online gaming privileges and access to the games you purchased digitally. Online activity is tracked by your internet service provider and various government agencies. Additionally, 90% of pirated games have been found to contain viruses and malware that can harm the computer. Some developers have even started to include anti-piracy methods that hack the game or add annoying features to pirated versions of the game.
If you must download and install games from a torrent, it is recommended that you use a VPN when searching for and downloading torrents. Make sure your computer has a reputable antivirus installed that you can use to scan any file you download for viruses
Step 2. Download and install a BitTorrent client
These programs allow you to download torrent files using Torrents. Torrent files are very small, but they point to larger files that are shared by another user. Popular torrent clients include uTorrent, qTorrent, BitTorrent, and Vuze.
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Warning:
many BitTorrent clients contain bundled software. When installing a BitTorrent client, be sure to decline any offer to install additional software by unchecking the offer box or clicking the button to decline the offer.
Step 3. Find the torrent file for the game you want to download
There are a variety of places you can search for torrents on the internet. Make sure the torrent has positive reviews, as this increases your chances of downloading a working, virus-free copy. Popular torrent search sites include The Pirate Bay, zooqle.com, and kickasstorrents.
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Warning:
Many torrent search sites contain advertisements and links to adult content and other material that is not safe for work. Visit these sites at your own risk.
- Try to find a torrent that has many "seeders". These are the people who are sharing the files, and the more you can connect to, the faster the download will be (up to the limit of your connection).
- Torrent sites often change their web address to avoid being shut down by the authorities. Use a search engine like Google to find a current list of active torrent search sites.
Step 4. Download the torrent file
Most torrent sites have a button that looks like a magnet, or a direct download button. Click this button to download the torrent file. Torrent files are very small and will usually download in a couple of seconds.
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Caution:
Many torrent sites have fake download links that may contain viruses, malware, or links to malicious websites. Make sure the download link you click is the correct link.
Step 5. Open the torrent file in your BitTorrent client
Most torrent clients will be configured to automatically open.torrent files. If it doesn't open in the torrent client, right-click on the "Downloads" folder and select To open with. Then, click on the newly installed client from the list of programs.
Step 6. Wait for the download to complete
This can take a while, especially if the game is very large or there are not many seeders. To speed up torrent downloads, make sure to download torrents that have a lot of seeders, and limit the number of active downloads in the "Settings" menu of your BitTorrent client.
Part 2 of 2: Install the game
Step 1. Download and install an archive extractor (if necessary)
Many torrent downloads come in RAR (.rar) or ZIP (.zip) format. These are compressed files that require special software to unpack them. The most popular free option to open these files is 7-Zip.
Step 2. Determine what file format the game is in
There are two main formats that the downloaded game will be in: EXE (or DMG on Mac) or ISO. The EXE format means that you can run the installation file and everything will be installed from the installer. An ISO file is the image of a physical disk. This needs to be burned to a CD or DVD, or mounted to a virtual drive on the computer. You can mount an ISO file using File Explorer on Windows, or Finder on Mac.
Step 3. Read the included text or the "README" file
Most torrent games come with a text file with specific installation instructions. This is very important to read, as many games have certain tasks that you need to do in the correct order for the installation to work properly. Always read the text files that come with the download link.
Step 4. Run the installer
This will vary significantly depending on the game, but generally you will need to run the EXE file, or mount or burn the ISO file and run the installer from disk. You can generally run the installer as you would if you had purchased the game, but be sure to follow the instructions in the "README" file.
Make sure to scan torrenting programs before launching them
Step 5. Crack the program
Cracking the software means removing or skipping the copy protection features that come with the software. The text file or "README" that comes with the download should explain how to do this. The following are some examples of how a game could be cracked:
- If you're lucky, the program will come pre-cracked by the person who uploaded the torrent.
- Some games require you to replace the main EXE file in the installed game folder with a cracked version. You will then run this replacement EXE file every time you want to play the game. Make sure to scan any EXE files for viruses before running them.
- Some games require you to run a key generation program that will provide you with a functional CD key. Make sure to check any cracking or key generation software for viruses before running them.
- Some games have a simple EXE file that you will need to run once to unlock the game. Make sure to scan any EXE files for viruses before downloading them.
- In some cases, you may be asked to edit configuration files to play the game. You will find the instructions in the "README" file.
Step 6. Play the game
Use whatever method the README file indicates to start playing the game. You may have to run the game setup program the first time you start to configure the graphics options.