How to Use FrostWire

Use FrostWire to share your original files with others.

FrostWire is a peer-to-peer (P2P) data- and file-sharing program. Individuals may use FrostWire to share personal files, images and music files with other users of the software. Unlike many of its P2P peers, FrostWire is an open-source program and is not for profit. It is available on the Linux operating system as well as on the more-common Windows and Mac platforms.

Instructions

1. Restart your computer. Close all applications but the essential ones, such as the computer's antivirus scanner. Launch the web browser of your choice. Download FrostWire from the website (see link in Resources). Double-click the installation package for your type of system: EXE for Windows, DMG for Macintosh or DEB for Linux. On a Windows or Linux PC, follow the onscreen prompts to complete the installation. On a Mac, a new window will appear with the FrostWire icon. Drag this icon to the Applications folder to install it.

2. Launch the FrostWire software. Double-click the software's icon in the Applications folder on a Mac. If you are using Windows or Linux, double-click its icon on the desktop or select FrostWire from within the Start menu. The program will open and initiate loading its Java-based interface. Wait for the FrostWire software to sense your Internet connection and connect to its server and the Gnutella network, which is the network standard it uses to facilitate file sharing. The program will alert you when it is finished.

3. Type a search term into the FrostWire search bar to locate files on the network available for download. Press "Enter." FrostWire delivers a list of relevant results. Double-click a file in the list to begin downloading it. This process may take several minutes or hours, depending on the speed of your connection and the original file size.

4. Press the onscreen "Pause" button to pause the download temporarily. Press "Resume" if you wish to continue downloading a paused file. When a download is finished, the program alerts you and you may open it directly on your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• File sharing networks may host viruses, spyware and illegal content. Care should be exercised when downloading anything from a public network.

• Do not download or distribute any materials without permission of the copyright holder.

References

• FrostWire Support Knowledge Database

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Download FrostWire Software