How to Download Files Using Mirc

While mIRC is used primarily for chat, it can also download files

mIRC is an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client, which connects users interested in a wide range of subjects via a network of chat servers located around the world. While the principal use of the mIRC software is to chat in chat rooms and with private message users, IRC software like mIRC can also be used to transfer files from one computer to another. Prepare your computer to download files using mIRC.

Things You'll Need

• Windows PC
• mIRC IRC client

Instructions

1. Turn off notifications. Open the "File" menu and select "Options." Next, select the "DCC" tab. Under "On Send request" select the "Auto-get file" radio box and check the "minimize" option. This will keep mIRC from warning you each time a download starts. If you want mIRC to automatically overwrite a file if a file of the same name exists, select the Resume box under "If file exists."

2. Configure Folders options. Next, expand the DCC tab and select "Folders." Under DCC ignore, select any of the available options. If you select "Ignore all except" or "Ignore only," you must set up exceptions that will either allow or prevent the downloading of certain file types.

3. Setup server options. Also under the DCC tab in mIRC options, select the "Server" option. Check the "Enable DCC Server" box and instruct the program to use port 59. Next, check the send and chat radio boxes under "Listen for." Finally, check the "DNS lookup option."

4. Connect to a channel. Remember that all IRC chat room names start with a pound sign (#). When in a room, you will see a variety of file serve ads that contain three main parts. The first is the trigger, which must be typed or copied to connect to the file server. A sample trigger reads "/ctcp Tsukushi^^Files." You would type this into mIRC to connect to the server. The file serve ads also detail how many users are in the queue, as you may have to wait to enter the download queue. The final part of the ad is the /dccserver command, which is used when a server is connected to a firewall. Type the instructions following /dccserver exactly to download a file.

5. Start a download. Once you connect to a server, you can type "dir" to list all files in the directory on the server. It will also list all directories on the server. When you find the file you want, simply type "get" followed by the file name. The file will be downloaded to the default folder as noted under the DCC options.

Tips & Warnings

• While legal content is often sent and received via mIRC, the servers can also be a breeding ground for illegal activity like piracy. Avoid this behavior when connected to a server.

References

• Ronin: IRC Download Guide
• IRC Help: A Note on Piracy