
The journey began with Napster. Millions flocked to this pioneering file-sharing site to trade MP3s for free. In 2003, Napster faced a copyright infringement lawsuit and was shut down, but by then, the appeal of peer-to-peer (p2p) file sharing was already undeniable.
Following Napster, Gnutella emerged as a new form of p2p network. Unlike Napster, Gnutella doesn't rely on central servers to track shared files. It’s not a website or software but rather a network protocol—a standardized system that enables direct communication between individual computers.
For more insights into Gnutella-based p2p file-sharing, check out our article How Gnutella Works.
LimeWire has gained massive popularity. By December 2007, it was installed on 18% of Windows PCs globally [source: TorrentFreak]. However, just like Napster, LimeWire has faced controversy due to the illegal downloading of copyrighted content, even though it warns users against sharing copyrighted songs and videos.
In August 2006, the music industry took legal action against LimeWire for facilitating and promoting "Internet piracy" of copyrighted music and videos [source: Cnet]. LimeWire maintains that it is simply a software tool for legally sharing non-copyrighted files. The case remains unresolved.
In this Mytour article, we will guide you through the essentials of using LimeWire, explore advanced features like LimeWire Pro, offer troubleshooting advice, and tackle the question: Is LimeWire truly legal?
Let's begin with the basics of LimeWire.
Installing and Using LimeWire

Follow these steps to install LimeWire on your computer:
- Download the installer from the LimeWire website. You can choose between LimeWire BASIC (free) or LimeWire Pro ($21.95).
- Launch the installer by opening the downloaded file.
- Follow the instructions to install LimeWire in the desired directory on your PC.
- Once the installation finishes, the Setup Wizard will appear.
- Specify which folders you want to share with the Gnutella network. You can also allow LimeWire to search your entire drive for media files.
- Grant LimeWire permission to pass through your computer’s and local network’s firewalls.
Before you can download the installer, LimeWire will ask if you intend to use it for "copyright infringement." If you answer "yes," the download will not be allowed to proceed.
Once the installation is finished, open LimeWire and explore its interface. The program defaults to the Search Tab, where at the top-left, you will find various categories for different types of media: Audio, Images, Video, Documents, Programs, and All Types.
Clicking on one of these search categories will reveal specific search fields beneath. For example, under Audio, you can search by song title, artist, album, genre, and license type. The "More Search Options" button provides additional filters such as track number and song length.
At the bottom-left of the Search Tab window, you’ll see a button labeled "What's New." Clicking this will display the latest files added to the Gnutella Network in each category. It's a great way to discover fresh and trending content if you're unsure about what to search for.
Hit the Search button, and the results will begin populating the main area of the Search Tab. Depending on your internet connection, it might take a minute or two to gather all the relevant files from the network. Results are organized from the most popular (with more copies available at faster download speeds) to the least popular (with fewer copies and slower download speeds).
To start downloading a file, double-click on it. If LimeWire cannot find a license for the file, it will ask if you wish to cancel or proceed without one. The file will appear in the Downloads window at the bottom of the screen, with a progress bar showing the download percentage and the number of hosts providing the file.
After the download completes, the file will show up in your library. Click the Library Tab at the top of the screen and select the Saved Files folder on the left side of the Library window to view all your downloaded files. Inside Saved Files, you'll find subfolders for various media types (audio, video, etc.).
Double-click any file in the Library, and it will be added to the Playlist at the bottom of the Library window. Use the LimeWire Media Player controls at the bottom right of the screen to pause, stop, or play audio files in the Playlist. Other types of files will open in their respective media players or applications.
Now, let’s explore some advanced features of LimeWire, including LimeWire Pro.
Other Features and LimeWire Pro

LimeWire includes several tools to help you track your connections on the Gnutella Network. Under the View menu at the top of the screen, select Show/Hide and then click Connections. The Connections tab will display the computers you're connected to on the network. You can also add or remove connections and browse the shared folders of specific computers.
Click the Monitor tab at the top of the window to see the files being downloaded from your shared folders and who is downloading them. These are listed as uploads in the Uploads section at the bottom of the Monitor window. You can stop a download by pressing the Kill Upload button. The Incoming Searches box at the top of the Monitor window shows the most recent search terms entered into the Gnutella Network.
You can also chat with other users on the Gnutella Network. To do so, click on a connection in the Connections tab and press the Browse Host button at the bottom of the screen. Right-click on a file on the host’s computer and select the "Chat with Host" option. You can also right-click any file in your search results to initiate a chat with the file’s host.
One helpful feature in LimeWire is its filtering system. Navigate to the Filters menu and select Configure Content Filters. By checking the Enable Content Filters box, LimeWire will compare all downloaded or uploaded files against a list of copyrighted material provided by the entertainment industry. Any content on this list will be excluded from your search results.
The Filtering menu also offers options for Junk, Keywords, and Hosts. Under Junk, you can adjust the sensitivity of LimeWire’s automated filter, either removing all junk from the search results or simply placing it at the bottom of the list. Keywords lets you exclude certain words from search results. You can also check boxes to filter out adult content and potentially harmful files (.html, .vbs, .wmv, and .asf). The Hosts option lets you input an IP address to block a specific host from interacting with your machine.
LimeWire now works seamlessly with iTunes, the popular digital music software. Any songs you download through LimeWire will automatically be added to your iTunes library, without needing to open iTunes again.
LimeWire Pro is an enhanced file-sharing service available for a one-time fee of $21.95. LimeWire claims that Pro users receive 66 percent more search results per query, by seeking out additional connections [source: LimeWire]. Faster downloads are achieved through these improved connections.
LimeWire Pro users also receive free technical support and software updates for six months. Regular LimeWire users, on the other hand, rely on community message boards and forums for assistance, as they do not have access to tech support.
Let's now dive into some troubleshooting advice for fixing common issues with LimeWire.
LimeWire Troubleshooting Tips

One of the most common issues with LimeWire is the inability to connect to the Gnutella Network. Here are several methods to check if you're successfully connected:
- At the bottom left of the LimeWire window, you'll find a set of connectivity bars. The more green bars, the stronger the connection. If there's only one green bar, that means you're not connected.
- If all your connections show as "connecting" under the Connections tab, there's a connection issue.
- If a search yields no results after waiting for a minute, there's a connectivity problem.
- If you see an icon next to the connectivity bars with a globe behind a brick wall, it indicates you're behind a firewall. While this isn't typically an issue for LimeWire, it's worth verifying just to be sure.
Connectivity issues may arise from several factors. Here's the order in which you should address them:
- First, open a web browser and check if you're connected to the Internet. If not, unplug and restart your modem and routers. If that doesn't help, contact your Internet Service Provider. After regaining Internet access, restart LimeWire and try again.
- If the connection is still problematic, try disconnecting and reconnecting in LimeWire. Either quit and relaunch the program or go to the File menu and select Disconnect, then Connect.
- Security programs like Norton, McAfee, and ZoneAlarm can block LimeWire from connecting to the Gnutella Network. Access your firewall settings and add LimeWire as an exception.
- Check any hardware firewalls, either on your PC or through a router. Find out which port LimeWire uses by going to Options, selecting the Advanced tab, and clicking Firewall Config. Note the "Listen on Port" number. Ensure that port is assigned to LimeWire in your firewall.
- Lastly, contact your ISP or system administrator if you're on a work network. Some ISPs and office networks restrict p2p file-sharing programs.
If you're only interested in downloading non-copyrighted content, you can filter files on LimeWire's copyrighted list. Another legal tip is to search only for files with open licenses. For example, when searching for audio, there's an option to filter songs with Creative Commons or Weedshare licenses that are freely distributed.
A common issue is slow downloads. LimeWire explains that a file can't download faster than the maximum bandwidth of the uploader or downloader. If you're on broadband but the uploader has a dial-up connection, expect slower download speeds. Additionally, downloading multiple files simultaneously or if the host is uploading multiple files can also strain bandwidth, resulting in slower speeds.
To speed up your downloads, it's best to select files from high-bandwidth hosts, preferably multiple hosts. One advantage of peer-to-peer networks like Gnutella is that they allow you to download different parts of a file from various hosts simultaneously, then reassemble the entire file on your computer. For example, downloading a song from eight high-bandwidth hosts can take under 30 seconds.
If that doesn't improve your speeds, consider upgrading to LimeWire Pro for faster downloads, or try other third-party apps that offer similar promises.
Now, let's dive into the question of whether or not LimeWire is actually legal.
Is LimeWire Legal?

The LimeWire application itself is entirely legal. However, the act of downloading and distributing copyrighted content, which many users engage in, is illegal.
LimeWire's defense is that its software is merely a tool. Like any tool, how it's used depends on the user. A hammer can be used for construction or destruction, but the person who sells it isn't responsible for how it's applied. The same logic applies to LimeWire.
In August 2006, several major record companies sued LimeWire, accusing the company of promoting online piracy. They are seeking $150,000 for each song shared without permission from the copyright owner [source: Cnet]. A week prior, Kazaa, another popular file-sharing service, settled with the music industry for $115 million and implemented filters to block copyrighted content. As of now, the case against LimeWire remains unresolved.
Even if LimeWire is acquitted, its users remain at risk. Since September 2003, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has sued over 20,000 individuals for suspected illegal file-sharing [source: Electronic Frontier Foundation].
Individuals who are accused receive a letter from the RIAA's legal team offering them a settlement to avoid court. The individuals are identified by their IP addresses. If they refuse to pay the settlement, typically between $3,000 and $11,000, the RIAA threatens to sue them for a higher amount [source: Electronic Frontier Foundation].
Despite the RIAA's legal actions targeting software companies and individuals, the number of active file-sharers across the globe continues to rise. Even if LimeWire were to be shut down tomorrow, there are already numerous other programs ready to take its place.
Now, let's address another critical question: is LimeWire safe?
Is LimeWire Safe?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a consumer alert highlighting safety concerns with p2p file-sharing. Here are the FTC's top two concerns when using file-sharing platforms like LimeWire:
- There’s a risk of unintentionally sharing files on your computer that were meant to remain private.
- Unwittingly, you may download copyright material, viruses, or explicit content.
In response to these concerns, LimeWire provides guidance to help users safeguard themselves and their families from accidentally sharing or downloading undesirable files.
- Shared folders - You have control over which folders and files are shared with other users on the Gnutella Network. To check what’s being shared, visit the Library tab and click the Shared Files folder on the left. If you spot something you don't wish to share, simply delete it.
- Pornography - Access the Filters menu and choose Configure Content Filters. Check the box labeled Ignore Adult Content to activate LimeWire’s Family Filter, which will eliminate files containing adult material.
- Spyware and Viruses - LimeWire proudly claims its software is free of spyware, meaning it does not bundle third-party advertising software. However, it advises against downloading files with extensions like .exe, .vbs, .lnk, .bat, .sys, or .com, as these could carry viruses or spyware. You can also enable a filter to remove these types of files from your search results.
- Shutdown and Startup - The FTC’s recommendation includes shutting down file-sharing programs when not in use. Under the Tools menu in Options (or LimeWire menu on Mac under Preferences), visit the System Tray tab to set up shutdown preferences. LimeWire can either shut down right away or wait until active downloads finish. Additionally, the Advanced tab in the same menu allows you to choose if LimeWire should launch automatically when your computer starts up.
Let’s take a brief look at what lies ahead for LimeWire.
The Future of LimeWire

Lime Wire LLC, based in New York, plans to leverage the success of the file-sharing platform and broaden the LimeWire brand's influence.
Next, let's talk about LimeSpot, a new online social platform currently in its beta phase. LimeSpot, similar to other social networks, will let users build personal profiles, publish blogs, create wikis, and connect with fellow LimeSpot members.
Although the online store is not yet live, plans are underway to allow users to purchase songs directly from LimeWire search results, as well as via a dedicated LimeWire Store website. LimeWire already has agreements with independent music distributors, IRIS Distribution and Nettwerk Productions.
Launching a legitimate online store could serve as a survival strategy for LimeWire, should it lose the ongoing copyright infringement lawsuit against the RIAA [source: Cnet]. For the moment, LimeWire seems focused on enhancing its p2p service and adding more features, such as BitTorrent support.