The file extension
TORRENT, or BitTORRENT
Metainfo File, is a text
file created by Bram
Cohen of BitTORRENT,
Inc.
Torrent files are part
of a larger protocol
used for distributing
larger files over
peer-to-peer networks.
This system takes large
files and splits them
into smaller pieces
which are downloaded to
other users and then
uploaded back to users
wanting the file in
question. It’s a complex
system that allows
bandwidth to be spread
across a network of
computers to which in
turn lessens the load of
a single file server.
The .TORRENT file itself
doesn’t contain any
parts of the downloaded
file. Instead, it lists
the addresses where all
of the “bits” of the
file are located so that
the end user’s computer
will be able to find all
of the various pieces of
the file and put them
back together.
All of this takes place
in the peer-to-peer
software. The software
reads the .torrent file
and then goes out to the
various URLs and begins
downloading all of the
pieces. This method of
downloading is
dramatically faster than
trying to download one
single complete file.
Unless you have the
appropriate BitTorrent
P2P software, your
operating system won’t
know how to deal with
.TORRENT files. When
this happens and you
have a file with the
file extension TORRENT,
clicking on the file in
Windows Explorer doesn't
work. This almost always
means that a file
association has been
broken.
File associations get
lost for numerous
reasons. For example,
power surges, file
corruption, and
unexpected shutdowns as
well as damage done by
malicious programs such
as spyware and computer
viruses all take their
toll on files, including
messing with file
extensions for .torrent
files.
You can re-establish the
.torrent file
association to
BitTorrent software
manually if you want.
Use Windows Explorer to
right-click the TORRENT
file. Next, a small menu
shows up. Choose "Open
with" from this menu and
then search through the
list until you find
BitTorrent. Now find the
little box near the
bottom of the dialog box
that says, "Always use
the selected program to
open this type of file."
You’ll most likely want
BitTorrent to be the
default application for
opening file extension
TORRENT so place a check
mark in the box.
File corruption affects
numerous types of files
including file extension
torrent. When .torrent
files become corrupt,
they generally can't be
used. A problem with
file extension torrent
can also cause the
program associated with
the file to crash too.
Further breakdowns can
cause even more damage
to files. Damaged files
create an endless cycle
of damage - with each
new crash, further
corruption occurs. If
you have a corrupt
.torrent file, consider
going back into
BitTorrent and
re-downloading the file.
BitTorrent has been
through numerous
evolutions and is now a
legitimate application
used to legally purchase
files over the Internet.
As with anything that
you will be downloading,
it’s important to make
sure that your computer
is protected with the
right type of security
products including virus
and spyware protection.
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