Limewire is a well known file-sharing client, used by people all around the Internet to download music and video files to their collection. It's very simple and efficient, and its ease of use makes it one of the more popular systems, as well as having a wide variety of files available for download. This software can be used for illegal purposes, so be sure to only download files you know are either open-source or public domain. Downloading anything which is copyrighted counts as copyright infringement and is illegal.

Connecting to Limewire

When Limewire first starts, it is not fully connected to the Internet. Any searches that you run immediately after opening will not get a full range of results. Wait a few minutes before starting any searches to ensure you get the most results. If you are having a hard time getting any results, you may not actually be connected to the Limewire network. Check your router configuration and the firewall settings. You may need to consult the instructions for the router or firewall software you own to figure out how to "Open a Port" or "Allow a Program." If you open a port or make any other significant changes to those settings, make sure you change the corresponding settings on Limewire's preferences.

Searches and Finding Files

Virtually every search you run will return a handful of garbage results. You'll recognize these because each is usually only a few kilobytes in size, and they come up first. After a few searches, you may notice that a certain group of files always comes up with your exact search criteria as a filename. Do not download any of them, as they are likely viruses or adware. To find the files for which you are looking, be aware of what Limewire is best at: transferring recent video and audio files. Start with a generic search, one that will get you many results--for example, a musician's name. Then perform a more specific search for a particular file by right-clicking on the filename. This ensures that you can choose from the most users with that file and thus get the fastest downloads. When you see the file you want to download, either double-click its name, or right-click and choose "Download."

Keeping It Clean

Some files never reach 100 percent completion, instead remaining in limbo for weeks. If a file does not reach completion before a day or two, try to find another version of it. Bear in mind that when you take any file out of the queue, that partial download has not been removed. Periodically, you should go into the Limewire directory and empty the Incomplete folder by deleting its contents. Otherwise, the folder will fill up quickly and take up unnecessary space.

Source:

Limewire Tips and Tricks: Gnutella Forum

Limewire 4.9 Useful Tips and Features

User Can't Connect: Limewire Wiki

More Information:

Limewire