WinMX started out as an Open NAP client that was able to connect to multiple servers at once. As WinMX exists today only unofficially through the work of developers and with the use of third party programs; WinMX is still a free peer to peer file sharing program that runs on Windows OS and although its website and ‘official’ servers have been removed, there is still the third party presence.

Files are often swapped on WinMX though their chat presence or short messaging capabilities. So while the program is pretty self-service, there are a few drawbacks. Among these is the amount of memory taken up when it’s run for any length of time. There should also be some add on programs in order to monitor automated file exchanges and to speed up search results.

For all the detractions, popular songs are usually able to be downloaded quickly due to “multi point download” features that simultaneously download the same file in smaller pieces from multiple sources and WinMX is thought to be one of the safest file sharing destinations as no spy ware or ad ware comes with WinMX.

Default settings on WinMX only allow the sharing of audio or video. But if you’re adept and nimble enough at configuration, you can share just about every type of file. Also, larger files can not be shared (2GB or smaller) and there are two tiers of user, primary, who can share a maximum 5000 files and secondary who can share a maximum 3000 files.

WinMX searches are available for practically any file. Search results though, will only show the file types that match the ones the user himself is sharing.

If you’re looking to download something from WinMX or if you’d like to download just the program, there are free outlets available for you all over the internet. As always a search engine search will put you within an arms length of whatever it is you’re looking for. Just remember you need to become a user and be sharing your own files to search and ascertain others files.

WinMX has had several different types including 2.6 and 3.0 – both of which are available for free download depending on your computers operating system. A WinMX patch can get you directly to where you’re looking to be on the internet; WinMX LimeWire is a free P2P system available on WinMX.

The ultimate question remains is WinMX legal?