In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to run multiple instances of µTorrent on the same computer. We’ve seen similar tutorials posted throughout ‘torrent forums’ in the past; however, it’s getting more difficult to find. The reason we are redoing it is to add some needed screenshots, and to use it as a setup for an upcoming article on “uTorrent Mods & Ratio Hacking” in which we need to explain how to run different versions of µTorrent on the same computer simultaneously (hacked clients vs. original). Thus, it’s not imperative that you run the same version of µTorrent for this to work - you’ll be able to run the ‘latest stable release’ v1.7.7 and the new µTorrent v1.8 at the same time.
The Problem: If you already have µTorrent installed - for example v1.7.7 - and you download the new version 1.8 and try to run it, it will either launch the previously installed (older) version; or (if you have µTorrent closed and run the new desktop ’shortcut’), it will override the older one and take over the existing torrents. While v1.8 is superior to its predecessor, it’s still not an acceptable client for most private trackers, so it should be used with discretion. For torrenters who want to run both versions concurrently (or play around with hacked / modded µTorrent clients), here is the solution:
Assuming you already have µTorrent installed (although this is of little importance, really) - you can download another instance of µTorrent (be it either the same version you already use, or a totally different release / name / version - it doesn’t matter) - or, you may also use your existing “uTorrent.exe” file. Select a scenario from below that suits your needs.
Running different µTorrent clients - (i.e. - v1.7.7 and v1.8)
In this scenario, we’ll assume you already have µTorrent v1.7.7 installed, and wish to use a secondary (different) client simultaneously - for example v1.8. In reality, it makes no difference which two (or more) different versions of µTorrent you wish to use - the basic principles are the same.
STEP 1. - Download and Installation.
First of all, completely exit and shut down µTorrent v1.7.7 (if you have it running).
Download the latest release here. If the old version is completely shut down, you’ll be prompted with a µTorrent Setup screen, as shown below. It’s very important
to change the “installation path” - by default it will overwrite your old uTorrent.exe file if you leave the path as shown.
If the new version 1.8 runs automatically after installation, it may likely launch your torrents from v1.7.7. Completely exit µTorrent, and proceed.
STEP 2. - The Shortcut
Go into your new installation folder, (i.e. -> C:\uTorrent) and right-click on “uTorrent.exe”, and select “Create Shortcut”. Now, on the new shortcut, right-click and select “Properties”. Where it says “Target”, enter /RECOVER to the end of the path (outside of the quotes, if applicable).
STEP 3. - The “Settings.dat” file
CREATE A NEW ONE: (In the same folder as your new “Shortcut to uTorrent.exe” - i.e. “C:\uTorrent”). If you don’t particularly care about how you originally set up µTorrent, or, if you want to use the default factory settings, simply create a new text file, and rename it to ”settings.dat”.
USE EXISTING ONE: If you prefer to use your old µTorrent settings, you can import them from your existing ’settings.dat’ file. To find the folder where it is located, click “Run” from your Start Menu, and type in %AppData%\uTorrent as shown below.
Once located, “copy” the settings.dat file, and “paste” it into your new folder at C:\uTorrent. If preferred, you can also copy/paste any other *.dat files (dht.dat, rss.dat, resume.dat) etc.
After you have created or ‘pasted’ the settings.dat file, you will now be able to run µTorrent v1.8 from the shortcut, and it will launch as a separate instance of µTorrent.
Running the same µTorrent client in multiple instances
The setup is almost identical to above. You can either download a second ”uTorrent.exe” file from µTorrent headquarters, or use your existing one. In any event, you’ll need to create a new folder and copy “uTorrent.exe” into it, create a shortcut to it, edit it and add /RECOVER to the target path. Again, either create a new ’settings.dat’ file or use your existing one from %appdata. Note that your original µTorrent.exe file is not located in your /appdata directory - by default it is installed to C:\Program Files\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe.
Running multiple µTorrent ‘Mods’ alongside the original
Again, exact same setup. In an upcoming article we’ll delve into µTorrent mods & hacks for private trackers - you’ll be able to run multiple instances of modded µTorrent clients, as well as the original. NOTE: It is not imperative that the target name is “uTorrent.exe” - it is arbitrary and can be anything.
Additional Information
uTorrent v1.7.7 has now been removed from the main uTorrent website, although you can still find it at FileHippo.com (or by clicking this link).
It is best for each instance to use a different port number. Make sure you have your ports forwarded correctly for each instance if you are behind a router. Using different port for each instance also allows you to access each of them via WebUI.
Remember that upload limit is cumulative for all instances. Make sure that summed upload limit of all instances doesn’t go over 80% of your connection upload speed.
Someone Says:
uhm……lookin fwd for the upcoming post
weaana Says:
thanks for the article sharky
and about
“uTorrent Mods & Ratio Hacking”
that will be a real bad idea to write it in fsf as u have so many readers. it will only give rise to more cheaters. i think u better dont run it
Mr. Limbo Says:
I’m new here, I like..
Likewise, I’m sure most of you know this but, one can run 2 different clients at the same time. Without any fuss, I run both Azureus and µTorrent to seed a torrent I have up. Although it’s not needed, I direct each client to it’s own copy of the source file to help speed things up.
As for the whole torrent cheat/hack issue, bring it on sharky.
So thanks for the info, I found what I was looking for and then some, I’ll be back…
a/s/l Says:
ratio hacks?
fuck off with that shit.
private_tracker_sysop Says:
Come on sharky, you publish some decent articles here, don’t spoil it by showing people how to use modded clients. Apart from the fact it goes against the whole idea of filesharing, I can categorically tell you now that my site (and most of the other big trackers) has scripts in place that catch pretty much ALL known hacked clients such as utorrent, ***mod for azureus, ratiom****r, stealth clients etc.
You’re going to have a whole lot of pissed off readers who get banned off their favourite trackers if they decide to try and cheat.
The name of this site is FILESHAREfreak not CHEATfreak and I expected better off you.
breal Says:
Don’t do the hack article.
i love this website no matter what you do.
You have the best info but I am a good school guy
who looks down on ratio cheating
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How To Run Multiple Instances of uTorrent (v1.7.7 & v1.8)…
In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to run multiple instances of µTorrent on the same computer. We’ve seen similar tutorials posted throughout ‘torrent forums’ in the past; however, it’s getting more difficult to find. The reason we are red…
poed Says:
Are there any hacked or official uTorrent versions that can be run COMPLETELY from a folder or flash drive WITHOUT ever writing anything outside that folder or drive??
I hate the way uTorrent shits all over the C:\Documents and Settings\ directories every time it is run. I like to be able to ‘install’ an application on a portable flash drive, take it from PC to PC and NOT leave any files of any kind on the computer it was run on.
Trackback :: Utorrent Multiple Setup - Torrent Invites! Get your free private tracker invites right here!
[…] Originally Posted by ShiekAbdul I don’t quite understand the purpose for this I assume this is a tutorial to run multiple instances of utorrent on the same box. How To Run Multiple Instances of uTorrent (v1.7.7 & v1.8) | THE source for BitTorrent & P2P… […]
Assassin Says:
works like charm thnx dude it was very use full ..now i’m using 2 utorrent apps 1.8.2
rickard0 Says:
Hy!
It doesn’t work! I can’t add “/RECOVER” after the target file! I tried all the solutions, with and without the quotes and it doesn’t work!
The following error occurs: http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2637/62737811.jpg
Please contact me as soon as possible! I really need 2 utorrent clients running simultaneous!
Thanks in advance!
Trackback :: SceneSound.org - Page 2 - TORRENTs.RO
[…] din cate stiu eu nu se poate. poti sa folosesti 2 clienti utorrent simultan. unul prin proxy, unul fara. How To Run Multiple Instances of uTorrent (v1.7.7 & v1.8) | THE source for BitTorrent & P2P… […]
rickard0 Says:
Trackback … cum poti sa ii folosesti simultan? La mine nu merg… daca am deja unul pornit (1.6.1) si vreau sa il rulez si pe al doilea (1.7.7 sau 1.8.2) imi da eroare ca mai este o sesiune deschisa… tu cum ai reusit? Iti cer prea mult daca astept un review de la tine? iuzerul meu de iahu e genomexg! Astept un rasp de la tine! Cu proxy-ul stiu sa il fac sa mearga… dar nu pot sa fac sa ruleze doua sesiuni simultan!
Mersi anticipat!
shortcut_hacker Says:
[quote]It doesn’t work! I can’t add “/RECOVER” after the target file! I tried all the solutions, with and without the quotes and it doesn’t work![/quote]
Well, kind of late reply .. you need a space before ‘”PATH” /RECOVER’ !
Nice guide, works perfectly with uT 1.8.5 and 1.7.7.
AB Says:
Brilliant guide, works perfectly thank you!
btw How do you get different color icons on the taskbar?
Thanks again
Erik Says:
Does this still work with utorrent 2.0? Specifically, I’d like to have an instance of 2.0 running and 1.8.5, too, so I can deal with some of the sites that are now banning 2.0.
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HydraH Says:
Hi there, thanks for this guide.
While adding /recover does start a new instance of Utorrent, it picks up all the information from the C:\Documents and Settings\Application Data folder. What I want is two separate Utorrents (1.8.1 and 2.0), with each running different torrents, and none of them messes with the other’s files.
In the second instance (2.0), in Preferences>Directories, I changed settings so that the path for “Store .torrents in” is D:\Utorrent 2.0\Torrents Stored, and the path for “Automatically load .torrents from” is D:\Utorrent 2.0\Torrents Loaded. I’ve already installed Utorrent 2.0 in a new directory, so that there are two Utorrent directories in C:\Program Files. When I opened 2.0 with /recover, it showed no torrents, so I added a torrent, and downloaded 3%. After closing it when I opened the regular 1.8.1, it also showed the same torrent, and when I deleted it from 1.8.1 and closed it and went back to 2.0 and tried to start that torrent, it said files were missing. Also, when I tried to start another torrent in the regular 1.8.1, it start checking it. Obviously 2.0 did something to 1.8.1.
Could you please help sort this out? Thanks a lot.
Torrent Says:
uhm……lookin fwd for the upcoming post
CrowdPleaser Says:
Doesn’t appear to work with µTorrent 2 and µTorrent 1.6 together.
I couldn’t use them both at once only V2 would work and V1.6 wouldn’t load at all.
I was getting a getting a message that files were missing (?) and after finally uninstalling µTorrent V2 in frustration I still had problems with V1.6 that took a system restore to fix properly.
Looks like the fix doesn’t work properly anymore