How can I directly seed older torrented files?

TLDR: Is there a way I can just choose files to seed automatically instead of downloading again first?

Pretty new to using torrents and I have a bunch of files I've been able to download over time through magnet links. Some of which I was unable to seed for long periods of time so removed but would like to be able to still seed them again.

It doesn't look like I have torrent files for them and I tried copying the. Torrent file to another folder when using magnets to see if I could get it from that. I was able to get some from that but it seems to just start a Download again. Can anyone explain this process a little bit better for me so I can offer up my files at later times too?

16 comments

Can't help with your question, but thank you for your service.

Yes, is possible and not that hard, you add the torrent back into your client pause it (or dont even let it start downlaing) and point it to the already downloaded files by changing the download folder, after that just verify the files in the client, it sould see the already downloaded files and verify that they are the same, once that is done you can continue seeding.
- Ah okay. That would make sense. I assume this does require the actual torrent file though or does this also work by using the magnet link and doing the same process?
  
  If the tracker(s) defined in the mag link are still active and have the torrent metadata, then yes a magnet link should also work fine; you just have to add the magnet link, wait for the torrent to update with the torre t name/size in your client before pausing, then do the folder redirect.

Depends on your torrent client. Be careful that the client does not accidentally overwrite your files, replacing the completed content.
In qBittorrent you add the torrent without starting the download, and then let it or make it re-check [existing] files. it should then progress the check to completion with the correct files and file names in place.
If you have the torrent added and then put/move the files correctly, you can use the context menu "force re-check".
When you then start that complete torrent, you're seeding.

If you already have the exact files, sure. If not, then no.
- I assume renames affect the "exact" part of it right?
  
  Renames are OK in pretty much all clients.
  Open .torrent file
  Select correct destination directory
  Add Paused
  Right-click each file/directory in the "Content" tab and rename
  Recheck to make sure all files are found by the client and their contents have not changed; select "Do not Download" for missing or incomplete files, the correct chunks will still be seeded
  Start seeding
  You can also use a torrent file editor to get the file names right before importing into a client. Useful for batch operations. HOWEVER, the info hash will be different so it won't be recognized by the tracker. You can upload such file to your own tracker, though.
  
  Yes you'll need everything to be exactly as you received it including extra things like .txt files and the like. This is to prevent someone from replacing a legitimate file with something malicious.
  
  Yes. The hash has to be the same. They have to be identical files down to the last bit. Otherwise when you go to recheck the torrent, it'll only be a partially completed torrent and you can only seed what you have finished.

If you can't find the original .torrent, one way to find it again is to use BiglyBT client's Swarm Discoveries feature to search its DHT for the exact file size in bytes (of the main media file within). You may be able to find one or more torrents and simultaneous seed them with Swarm Merging too.
As well as the force recheck method others have mentioned, you can also tell BiglyBT to use existing files elsewhere when adding the torrent, which can copy the data onto there for you without risking overwriting the original files.

16 comments