Get Unrestricted downloads of free music, videos, softwares and games.
No Credit Card, Absolutely FREE...

Get Software Download Now

Get the latest version 4.17

Frequently Asked Questions

Unrestricted LimeWire Installation and Upgrades


Q: What response must I consider every time a search result claims there is an urgent Unrestricted LimeWire update?
A: Ignore the announcement and refrain from accepting any free download offer. Honestly speaking, at the rate the innovations go and the improvements that went in effect, updates don’t come too often. Don’t download or install that file. Such search result may be a malicious scam that could harm your online operations or computer. 


Q: What advantage is in store for me if I use Unrestricted LimeWire?
A: Using Unrestricted LimeWire allows you maximum enjoyment of the best program functionality innovations. The latest version has been able to fix the bugs that had been reported in older versions.  It is advisable for any users with LimeWire 4.16 or earlier to update. For a new Unrestricted LimeWire download, please visit www.limewireplus.net. 


Q: How is an "update" distinguished from an "upgrade"?  
A: An update relates to the soonest opportunity you can install the latest version of Unrestricted LimeWire. An upgrade may lead you to purchasing Unrestricted LimeWire, or at the least chance, consider a free download of the initial version.


Q: What should I do when I keep on getting an error message after each attempt to install Unrestricted LimeWire on Windows?  
A: It is possible that an error might have occurred in the transmission of the installer, thereby causing file corruption while it was being downloaded. Best solution is to delete the installer that you have already downloaded and clear your browser's cache, after which you try downloading Unrestricted LimeWire again. Here’s another piece of important advice: See to it that you are not using any download manager or download accelerator. They had been known to produce some of these errors.


Q: What steps do I need to perform when the installer freezes at "installing Java" and LimeWire installation snags?
A: It is no longer surprising to find Java installer freezing occasionally on some systems. If this occurs, uninstall all versions of LimeWire and Java Runtime Environment from the Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel. Initiate process to install Java again and then install Unrestricted LimeWire.


Q: AOL subscribers have been known to have trouble downloading and installing Unrestricted LimeWire. How are we going to address this concern?
A: Even during the early days of first-generation LimeWire, AOL users have had difficulties in   successfully downloading and installing LimeWire, especially when the AOL browser is used. To correct this, try downloading the installer with a different browser, such as Firefox or Internet Explorer. These browsers allow hassle-free download and installation.

 

Getting Started with Unrestricted LimeWire

Q: Is there a better way to speed up loading LimeWire?
A: The quick-load solution for this has not been perfected yet. Normally it takes a while to initialize the LimeWire graphic user interface (GUI). The same snag prevails in startup times for Java applications, which are known to be slower than for native applications. Java programs, however, work faster after initialization.


Q: What is the problem when I try to start Unrestricted LimeWire and nothing happens?
A: Check your system tray first and see to it that LimeWire is not running already (next to the time, at the right-most bottom part of the monitor). If you see it there, click the Unrestricted LimeWire icon to restore it (If you wish to expand the system tray, click the left arrow "<" button).  
If Unrestricted LimeWire is not running, two things are possible: You may have inadvertently uninstalled it, or a spyware removal program may have wrongly categorized Unrestricted LimeWire as spyware and had taken it off    from your computer. When this happens, a shortcut still appears on your Windows desktop or taskbar. Update to the latest version of Unrestricted LimeWire by downloading the installer. You can download here.
When Unrestricted LimeWire is not running and cannot be launched (inspite of your having it installed already in your Windows system), it is highly probable that Java may be corrupted. To correct this problem, go to Start > Control Panel and uninstall the Java Runtime Environment from Add/Remove Programs. You may download it again and install Unrestricted LimeWire here.


Q: Is it necessary for me to connect with the Internet before I run Unrestricted LimeWire?
A: YES. Because the Gnutella network comprises a system of computers linked only through the Internet, you need to be where they are also to have your Unrestricted LimeWire connected to the Gnutella network.


Q: Can you tell what the problem is all about when I click the Unrestricted LimeWire icon and get the error message “LimeWire was unable to initialize and start?…”
A: The Internet is awash with security programs that block loopback connections for all programs on your computer unless an exception has been created within the security program. If you are running Norton Antivirus, look for the Internet Worm Protection feature, and add LimeWire to the list of exceptions in that section.


Q: What is a loopback connection?
A: A loopback connection refers to a connection the computer uses to communicate to itself. A good example to this setup is an application that often utilizes loopback connections in order to send messages to itself—as though checking out if a previous instance of the application is already running.


Q: Why is it that I am able to connect only to a few hosts when I use Unrestricted LimeWire?
A: Unrestricted LimeWire recognizes high-performance and bandwidth machines on computer network as “Ultra Peers.”  These quasi-machines not only accept connections from many LimeWire clients, but they also connect to the rest of the Gnutella network. The Ultra Peers shield these LimeWire clients and the CPU and bandwidth requirements that are associated with Gnutella, thereby directing traffic to clients with greater efficiency. When you see only a few connections in your connections tab, it is possible that  is because you are a LimeWire client connected to an Ultrapeer. Unfortunately, not all Ultrapeers are as good as others. If you find that you aren't getting many search results with the Ultrapeers you are connected to, simply disconnect and connect. You'll probably connect to different Ultrapeers that are more 'connected'. Also, as time goes on and the network grows, you'll receive more results. Moreover, we are currently working hard to ensure that any Ultrapeer you connect to will be well connected - stay tuned to future versions of LimeWire.


Search-related Concerns

Q: What particular types of files can I search for and share using Unrestricted LimeWire?
A: Any type of file that can be put on to a computer can search for or shared with others using Unrestricted LimeWire.
Unrestricted LimeWire is capable of virtually searching any type of file—be it audio, video and program files, to name a few, allowing users to share them. If you need more information about types of files that are shared by default, see Tools > Options > Sharing.


Q: Why is it difficult at times for me to find the file I'm looking for?
A: The content of the Gnutella network comprises files that users running Gnutella software are sharing. As long as the particular file you're looking for is shared, you will be able to find it using Unrestricted LimeWire.
There are instances when you won’t be able to file certain files, even if somebody running Gnutella software is sharing the file you're looking for. When this occurs, it is possible that person is nowhere within your reachable area. 
Because the entire Gnutella network isn't always reached with each search, better results are obtained a search for the same file is done the second time. In a network that is continuously growingif it is advisable to search for the same file a second time may yield more results.


Q: Is there a way for me to control the maximum number of searches?
A: Yes. In your task bar go to: Tools > Options > Searching > Basic. From there you can set the number of "Maximum Searches" (set by default at 5). This feature controls how many search tabs you can have in one sweeping decision.


Q: How does the LimeWire filter work?
A: Unrestricted LimeWire allows you to use a filter and is able to adapt easily over time as for the files that you deem relevant and not relevant. This empowers you to take selective action to a certain search result that you consider not relevant to your query or one that appears to be a virus of some sort. You can now mark it as Junk by selecting it and then clicking the "Junk" button. Or, if a relevant file has been marked as Junk by the filter, you can mark it “Not Junk” instead. By the time you feel that LimeWire has learned which files should be marked as junk, then you can instruct LimeWire to hide all junk results by going to Tools > Options > Filters > Junk.


Downloads

Q: Why do I keep getting "Need More Sources"?
A: There are several possibilities:

  1. Each Gnutella user has a limited number of slots reserved for uploads. When these slots are filled, you'll see a message that LimeWire is waiting for a certain number of "busy" clients. LimeWire will automatically retry downloads from these clients after a variable period of time in hopes that upload slots will become free. However, if the person who has the file you're trying to download has too many people requesting files, he won't be able to serve any more file requests, and your connection will be refused.
  2. If the person who has the file you're trying to download has recently turned off his computer or has disconnected from the Gnutella network, you will be unable to download the file.
  3. If the person who has the file you're trying to download is running inferior or buggy Gnutella software, the download could fail for any number of reasons.
  4. If the person who has the file you're trying to download has since deleted the file or moved it, you may encounter problems downloading the file.

To minimize the chances of failed downloads, make your search more specific.You will have more pertinent search results from which to choose a download.

Q: Why do some things take so long to download?
A: The speed at which a download takes place is limited by both the bandwidth of the downloader and by the bandwidth of the uploader. A file cannot by transferred faster than the uploader is capable of sending it, nor can it be transferred faster than the downloader is capable of receiving it. If you have a T1 Internet connection and you are trying to download a file from a person with a 56K modem, your transfer is going to take place rather slowly. Furthermore, some clients limit the speed at which they will upload files for the sake of saving bandwidth.

Q: What's the difference between "Need More Sources" and "Awaiting Sources"?
A: They are identical except that you must wait a short period before finding more sources if "Awaiting Sources" is the status of a download.

Q: When I try to download certain files I get a message that says "Waiting for busy hosts". What does these messages mean?
A: The "Waiting for busy hosts" message occurs when the server refuses your download because it is too overloaded. In other words, demand outstrips supply. Unrestricted LimeWire will continue to retry the download as long as it gets the busy signal. If you're willing to wait long enough, you'll probably get the file.

Q: When I select a search result and click the Download button, nothing happens! What's up with that?
A: You may have selected "Always use this answer" on a dialogue box. In order to correct it, go to Tools > Options > View > Popups > Revert to Default. On a mac, go to LimeWire > Preferences > View > Popups > Revert to Default.

Q: Why does my pending downloads have the "Queued" status?
A: If you have selected more files to download simultaneously than you have allowed in the Options, then any additional files you choose to download will automatically remain in the "Queued" status until more download slots become available. In order to increase the number of simultaneous downloads, go to Tools > Options > Downloads, and then change the number of Maximum Downloads.

Q: Can I resume the download of a file?
A: Yes. Click the Resume button while your download is selected. If the incomplete file is still on your computer but does not appear in the list of downloads, go to the Library, click "Incomplete Files" and then resume the download from there.

Q: What happens to my active downloads if I exit LimeWire?
A: If you exit the LimeWire program, any downloads that were in progress will terminate at this time. These downloads will resume the next time you start the program, but only if the host of that download is connected to the Gnutella network.


Q: Where are my files stored before they have completed the download process?
A: They are stored in an "Incomplete" directory. Click the "Library" tab to view.


Q: Can I "preview" files before they have completed downloading?
A: You can preview in-progress downloads of media files by simply double clicking on the name of a file currently being downloaded or pressing the "Launch" button after highlighting the file being downloaded. Note that not all files can be previewed. If you encounter any problems when trying to preview a file, it may be that the file is in use by another program. If that's the case, either exit the program that is previewing the file, or do not preview the same file twice in a row.

Q: Does LimeWire preserve the state of downloads in the case of a system crash?
A: Yes. Unrestricted LimeWire will generally behave as if you had quit the program.

Q: Can I filter content and prevent my children from seeing adult content in the search results?
A: The filter option can block access to files in a variety of ways. Go to Tools, Options, Filters, and Keywords. Here you'll be able to set limitations to the search results you receive. For example:

  1. If you don't wish to see particular search results (for example, pictures of Niagara Falls), enter that data into the text field and click "Add".
  2. Click on "Ignore Adult Content" to filter pornography.
  3. You can use the built-in "Ignore vbs files" and "Ignore .htm/.html files" features to block Visual Basic Scripts and web pages, respectively, from your search results (please note this can also be done by searching for media types only)
  4. If there are particular IP addresses you wish to ignore (if, for example, a particular IP address was sending you unsolicited results), click under Hosts where you could enter that IP address into the "Ignore these hosts" window and click "Add."
  5. LimeWire can also learn which types of files are "junk" search results and which ones are valid. When a "junk" result is retrieved, select it and click the "Junk" button to mark it as junk.

Q: Do I risk downloading a virus using Unrestricted LimeWire?
A: LimeWire does not keep any record of files being shared on the Gnutella network, nor does it scan any files being uploaded or downloaded for viruses. Therefore, if you attempt to download a virus-infected file using LimeWire, you will be vulnerable to any viruses contained in that file. Generally speaking, you should be very careful when downloading files with an .exe or .vbs suffix, since these files are more likely than most to be viruses. LimeWire's Library will also not launch these files, so you can only run a file with a virus from outside LimeWire. (LimeWire's Library will not launch exe, vbs, lnk, bat, sys, or com files) Scanning the files you download with some sort of virus-protection software is also a good idea.

Q: What better way I can use to prevent the download of files disguised as advertisements?
A: Some servers on the Gnutella network serve advertisements with false filenames to fake popular search results. If you find yourself downloading search results that end up being advertisements, you can stop receiving search results from that host by doing the following:

Additionally, you can mark suspicious search results as junk by selecting them and clicking the "Junk" button. If a file has been marked as junk that is a valid search result, it can be marked as "Not Junk". Unrestricted LimeWire will learn over time which search results are valid and filter out the junk results accordingly.

Uploads

Q: What is the maximum number of upload slots I can have?
A: Upload slots represent the number of files other users can download from you at any one time. The default number of slots varies based upon the connection speed you set at installation, and the default bandwidth usage is set at 100 percent of your connection speed. You can self-configure your number of upload slots and percentage of bandwidth usage by clicking on Tools > Options > Uploads > Basic/Slots.

Q: Does shutting down Unrestricted LimeWire interrupt uploads that are in progress?  
A: No. If you put Unrestricted LimeWire in your system tray it will continue your active uploads, even after LimeWire has been shut down. LimeWire does this automatically when you close it.

Firewall Issues

Q: Is Unrestricted LimeWire affected if I'm behind a firewall?
A: Unrestricted LimeWire will work when a user is behind certain types of firewalls, but will not work behind certain other types. In general, if you can connect (you will see your "connection status" in the lower left hand corner of the application) using LimeWire, you should be able to download and upload files.

Q: How Can I tell if I'm behind a firewall?
A: In general, many corporations are behind firewalls, whose configurations vary greatly from organization to organization. See your system administrator for further details. Unrestricted LimeWire will also notify you if it detects a firewall by displaying a globe icon with a brick wall in front of it, which is directly to the right of the connection status indicator. If the globe does not have the brick wall in front of it, then you are not behind a firewall.

File Sharing

Q: How do I share my files?
A: The good with Unrestricted LimeWire is that it will automatically share the files you've downloaded, or at the least make it share-bound.
You can also share files in several other ways. First, move files from other folders on your system to your LimeWire shared directory (C:\Program Files\Document and Settings\[user]\Shared is the default location for the folder on Windows XP systems where [user] is your Windows login username). In Windows, you can go to your Library Tab and click the "Explore" button to open your library in Windows Explorer. Alternately, you can add a directory that you would like to share by adding a shared directory from the "Tools>Options>Sharing" window. Click on "Add" to browse your files.
Q: Up to what extent my Unrestricted LimeWire experience is affected by the number of files I share?
A: The more open you share files to others, the better download efficiency you can get from others. The truth is, and we’d like you to know this—if you're not sharing enough files, users with certain connection preferences won't let you connect to them for downloading. For this reason, we recommend all Unrestricted LimeWire users share generously with one another. But never let down your guard. We still advise you to remain selective with the files you share. Avoid sharing  your entire hard drive, as this may allow others to access files you don't want them to.
Q: What’s the best way to sort my files?
A: File sorting is routine action but there are indeed hassle-free ways to do it. You may sort your files by pressing the "Column Header" where it says "Name," "Type," "Size," etc. Pressing the column header again should sort it in the opposite direction.
Q: When I try to delete a file in my Library, I get "Unable to Delete the File. It may be in use by another application". Is there something wrong?
A: No, your PC is OK. It could be that the file you want to delete is in the Unrestricted LimeWire Playlist. If you want to delete a file from such listing, remove the file from the Playlist first, then press delete. If this doesn't work, make sure the file isn't in use by another application like WinAmp. You can also manually delete by going to your C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Shared folder on Windows or the Unrestricted LimeWire folder in your MacIntosh applications.

Q: Is Unrestricted LimeWire capable of burning a CD?
A: No. At this stage of development Unrestricted LimeWire does not have built-in CD burning capabilities. But we are sure that other programs have, and your operating system may have CD-burning capabilities. If you would like to burn CDs, you would need to obtain a program that burns CDs or locate that feature of your operating system. You will also need to know the location that your files are downloaded to in order to use them. With a default Windows XP installation, your downloaded files are stored in the Shared directory located at C:\Documents and Settings\user\Shared where "user" is the name you use to log on to Windows. Windows users can also click the Explore button in the Library to access the downloaded files.
Q: Can I transfer Unrestricted LimeWire files to my iPod?
A: No. Unrestricted LimeWire does not allow or permit direct file transfer to your iPod. At this stage of its development, iTunes retains the file transfer intermediary function in which iTunes integration places a playlist of the files contained in LimeWire's Library in iTunes. If you are trying to transfer downloaded files with Unrestricted LimeWire to the iTune's Library, select the file in LimeWire's Library that you would like to transfer by clicking it. After releasing the mouse button, click and drag the file into iTunes. To select more than one file, use the Ctrl or Shift keys on your keyboard.

Compatibility Issues

Q: Can I use LimeWire with AOL?
A: Yes. We have proven that AOL version 6.0 or higher will support the Unrestricted LimeWire client. But you should be aware that the spyware removal program included with AOL misidentifies Unrestricted LimeWire as spyware and removes it from your computer. If you happen to have this problem, you may drop AOL Spyware Protection and use a different spyware removal program.
Q: Does LimeWire support proxy servers?
A: Yes, LimeWire 4.17 and later supports proxy servers.

Q: Can I use LimeWire if I have Web-only access?
A: No, you cannot. See "firewall" documents for more information.
Q: How wide the range of operating systems does LimeWire support?
A: Unrestricted LimeWire supports practically all operating systems in the World Wide Web. Anywhere in the world you can use Unrestricted LimeWire on:

There had been reported glitches in the Unrestricted LimeWire installer used on several Unix and Linux varieties. Generally, Unrestricted LimeWire runs on operating systems if you have the Java Runtime Environment installed.

Program Language

Q: Are platforms friendly to LimeWire specialized?
A: Yes. We have specialized installers for most Web platforms. In fact, LimeWire is written entirely in Java (using Swing).
Q: Is the source code of Unrestricted LimeWire available?
A: Yes it is. Open source software Unrestricted LimeWire provides potential users the opportunity to view or change the source code. Please check http://www.unrestrictedlimewire.com, sign up and get the source code there.

Security Issues

Q: How risk-free is my using Unrestricted LimeWire?
A: We see no reason you should be encountering any significant risks using Gnutella, as long as you don't share your entire hard drive to others. But a high degree of caution needs to be taken, among them making sure that you are sharing only files you want to share. To be completely safe from infection, avoid running executable programs that you obtain from the Gnutella network.
Q: Does LimeWire have spyware?
A: LimeWire 4.0 and above does not have any bundled software. It has no adware and no spyware of any kind.

System Bugs

Q: My system window turns completely white or gray when I open LimeWire. What will I do to correct this?
A: Normally, when there is a pronounced incompatibility with your graphics settings and Java’s ability to render the Unrestricted LimeWire window, the contents of the LimeWire window completely turn either white or gray. We suggest that you set your graphics settings again to factory default and/or reduce your refresh rate. Others correct this glitch by either upgrading their graphics drivers, rolling them back to a previous version, or disabling any hardware-driven graphics functions such as anti-aliasing. Discover what works best in your case.


Q: My Unrestricted LimeWire starts all by itself without me even clicking the icon to open it. After I close it, LimeWire opens up again. What can you advice?
A: From your description alone it appears that your system must have been probably infected with Alcra, a worm that has been circulating among Windows systems. This network work spreads by launching LimeWire so that other users in your group can download infected files on to their computers and continue to spread the worm to yet other computers. The most practical solution is to upgrade your virus definitions so that it can be detected and removed from your computer. Due to the speed at which new strains of this kind are released, your anti-virus software may not be able to detect it. In that case, you would either have to remove the worm manually or submit it to the manufacturer of your anti-virus software so that new virus definitions can be created.

Platform-Related Issues

Q: LimeWire won't shutdown on my OS X system unless I force quit. What must I do to fix this?
A: In Unrestricted LimeWire, the default shutdown setting is programmed to minimize itself to the system dock until all forms of transfers have been completely done with. If you wish immediate LimeWire shut down upon quitting select options from the tools menu, choose shutdown and change the setting to "Shutdown Immediately."


Q: Unrestricted LimeWire often freezes while I use it on a Mac that runs OS 9.x or lower version.  What will I do to solve this?
A: Go to the "Get Info" window for Unrestricted LimeWire and increase your preferred memory size to 40 MB or more if you have it available. Apple highly recommends allocating 64 MB or more to Mac users.


Q: I have LimeWire on OS X in my computer. Although the LimeWire icon "bounces" indefinitely in the Dock, the program doesn't start. What will I do?
A: Technically, your system most likely needs to install the BSD Subsystem, via the OS X Install Disc. Instructions from Apple are here (for 10.2, but they likely apply to other versions as well).


General Information

Q: Is it possible for me to get LimeWire for multiple users?
A: Yes. In the run up to innovations we have introduced a string of changes in the installer that overrides the default permissions on Linux and other Unix systems. This means that users in your group will be able to run LimeWire altogether.
If you already have LimeWire running on Windows XP, but has only an icon on one user account, follow these instructions for each XP user:

  1. Click the "Start" Menu in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
  2. Click "Search"
  3. Click "All Files and Folders"
  4. Type "LimeWire.exe" into the blank and search
  5. Right-click the file, then go to "Send To", then click on "Desktop (create shortcut)"

Q: Does Unrestricted LimeWire have a player of its own?
A: Yes. Unrestricted LimeWire not only allows users to download files, but it also has a built-in LimeWire Media Player with a playlist through which you can listen to mp3 files. If you want to deactivate this feature, go to Options under the Tools menu item, press Player and click the feature off.


Q: Does Unrestricted LimeWire permit change in language?
A: Yes. To carry out your language preference, complete the following steps:

  1. Open up Unrestricted LimeWire
  2. Click "View" (or the second menu item if it is not in English)
  3. Go to "Change Language" (or the last menu item if it is not in English)
  4. Choose your language
  5. Shut down Unrestricted LimeWire completely, including in the taskbar and system tray, and then restart the software