LimeWire

Pros

• Easy to use
• Lack of intrusive advertising
• Allows you to preview media files
• Offers a file management utility
• Enables you to monitor connections in real-time

Cons

• Search results are capped at 200 hits
• Malware can be unintentionally downloaded
• Lacks an integrated video player

LimeWire is a popular file-sharing application that runs on P2P (peer to peer) connectivity. The program enables users to share many types of files over an online network with other users, resulting in a quick and easy solution for downloading popular media on demand. LimeWire has been around for many years in the P2P world, and those who are already familiar with it will be delighted to learn that it is still a reliable application for online file-sharing.

Getting Started with LimeWire

The process of actually deploying LimeWire on your PC is quite easy. The installation wizard is straight forward, and you'll notice a fair amount of warning dialogue included that informs about the dangers of P2P file-sharing. It's important to heed these warnings as downloading the wrong file over a program like LimeWire can lead to malware and virus infestation on your PC.

Once LimeWire is actually installed and ready to use, you'll notice its interface is actually quite basic and not riddled with ads or other intrusive elements. The program is incredibly easy to navigate and use, and features are well thought out. One noticeable drawback in LimeWire's design is that the search function only ever displays 200 hits maximum in the results pane. The paid version of LimeWire promises to remove this limit.

The connection monitor utility helps you keep track of incoming searches, and you can even see files that other users are downloading from your own PC in real time.

File Management Was Never This Easy

One of LimeWire's coolest features is the fact that it manages and displays your file system within the app interface, making it an option for keeping track of all media on your PC. There is even a built-in media player that can preview audio files. Video files open using Windows Media Player.

Start File-Sharing Today

While LimeWire isn't exactly great to look at, it is still a solid P2P file-sharing utility after so many years. The interface is not cluttered, and most users will find it easy to use and navigate. Searches are limited to only 200 hits, but this cap can be removed by upgrading to the premium version of LimeWire. Overall, LimeWire handles P2P file-sharing well and it's worth making it a part of your overall software arsenal.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Lack of intrusive advertising
• Allows you to preview media files
• Offers a file management utility
• Enables you to monitor connections in real-time

Cons

• Search results are capped at 200 hits
• Malware can be unintentionally downloaded
• Lacks an integrated video player