How To Make And Seed .Torrent Files

Introduction

A .torrent file is needed in order to start making torrents (Shocking, yes). It's simply the file you download when you want to download a specific file – they're usually extremely small in size.

The .torrent file contains just what it needs to and nothing more – it has the file title, size, how many pieces are in it, how big each piece is, the tracker information, and that sort of thing. It doesn't have the actual file you want to download in it.

It would be utterly impossible to write a complete guide on how to create and upload torrents, because there are so many different ways to do it, depending on the client you use, the site you need to upload it to, and other facts. Below is simply an overall guide on one way of doing it.

What Different Software Can I Use To Make My Very Own Torrent File?

There are two different ways to make a .torrent file.

One way is to use your BitTorrent client, and the other is to use a program like Make Torrent 2, which is a program dedicated to making torrents.

Below are a few of the most common, easiest ways to make a torrent.

So, I Have The Software... What Next?

The next step is selecting a tracker.

A tracker is something that keeps track of everything involved with the torrent – who has what files, how much has each computer downloaded/uploaded, that sort of thing. It also keeps a record of exactly how much each person has uploaded and downloaded.

The tracker doesn't host the files; it simply keeps the information about the .torrent file. You'll also need an announce URL for your .torrent, and it is dependant on the tracker you use.

If you don't know what tracker and announce URL to use, you can simply use a public one – just go a quick Google search to find one.

How Can I Make My .Torrent File Using Azureus??

  1. Make a folder, and call it something similar to what you're sharing so you can know by looking at it what's in it. Then, make a folder inside that folder, and name it something extremely similar to what you're sharing – like, if you're sharing the game you made called Caves of Darkness, call the folder Caves of Darkness. This folders name will be the name of the .torrent, which is why it's so important. Put the files you want to share – like your game – into this folder.
  2. Open Azureus, select 'File', 'Create A Torrent'.
  3. Be sure that Use an External Tracker and Directory are checked!!
  4. Enter your Announce URL in the Announce URL box (See kids, rocket science), then hit Next.
  5. Find the folder you made with your files, and press Next.
  6. Don't touch any of the next settings, simply hitting Finish. Azureus then makes your .torrent for you. When someone downloads this torrent, they'll get all the files that the folder contains.

Make sure you have a copy of the .torrent file in the first folder you made, so you know where it is if you ever need it again. It comes in handy!

I Want To make A .torrent File Using MakeTorrent2... How Can I Do That?

  1. Make a folder, and call it something similar to what you're sharing so you can know by looking at it what's in it. Then, make a folder inside that folder, and name it something extremely similar to what you're sharing – like, if you're sharing the game you made called Caves of Darkness, call the folder Caves of Darkness. This folders name will be the name of the .torrent, which is why it's so important. Put the files you want to share – like your game – into this folder.
  2. Open MakeTorrent2 and select the 'Classic' tab, if you aren't already using it.
  3. Directly next to the field called 'Filename or Pathname', click on the 'dir' button. Make sure that the 'One Torrent From Entire Folder' button is checked before Moving to Step Four.
  4. Find your folder with the files in it, and click Okay.
  5. There should now be the pathname of the folder in the Filename or Pathname field.
  6. Add the announce URL in the Tracker field (If you don't have one, you missed something – go back and re-read the beginning!
  7. Click on the Create .torrent Now button.

You've made a torrent using MakeTorrent2 – congratulations! It will take longer the larger the files are, but once it's finished, make sure to put the Finished button.

Also, keep a copy of the .torrent in the first folder you made, just in case you ever need it, so you know exactly where it is.

I'm Using uTorrent... How Can I Make A .torrent Using It?

  1. Make a folder, and call it something similar to what you're sharing so you can know by looking at it what's in it. Then, make a folder inside that folder, and name it something extremely similar to what you're sharing – like, if you're sharing the game you made called Caves of Darkness, call the folder Caves of Darkness. This folders name will be the name of the .torrent, which is why it's so important. Put the files you want to share – like your game – into this folder.
  2. Open up uTorrent, click on File, then Create New Torrent.
  3. Click on the Add Directory button, find the folder with the files, and hit Okay.
  4. Add the Announce URL in the Tracker URL spot.
  5. Select Create and Save As'. uTorrent just made your torrent, and is asking you were to save it – you should put it in the first folder you made, for easy seeding. It doesn't matter where it goes, though, as long as you remember.

I've Got My .torrent File All Ready!
...Now What?

Congratulations, you've made your first .torrent file. Well done!

Now you need to share it! You can upload it to a forum, or a BitTorrent site, like www.MiniNova.com, www.Demonoid.com, or www.POTUK.com. There are tons of BitTorrent sites out there for you to put your torrent on.

Make sure your client is ready to seed to those who want the file before you upload, though, or else no one will get it.

There you have it. Your first torrent, uploaded and sharing.

The Vital Stuff To Keep In Mind

In order to keep a healthy, productive swarm, make sure to seed for a few days, or even a week or two. You never know if people are going to seed after downloading, after all, so you'll probably have to carry on the torch for a while.

If you upload to a forum, make sure to give as much information about your file as possible, from platform to title to size and a fairly long description. If potential seeders are looking to download it, they're more likely to if they know more about the file!