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Export date: Sat Oct 23 5:14:47 2021 / +0000 GMT

Shared qBittorrent data on a dual-boot PC


One of my computers has both Linux and Windows installed. I often switch between operating systems, but I want to use the same torrents. Normally I would use a server or NAS in such a scenario, but this time I didn't have such a solution. This blogpost is meant for advanced computer users who want to accomplish the same.

Note that you have to change directory pathnames to suit your own configuration.

You can also download the scripts: qBittorrent_dualboot.zip 1

Set a shared filesystem


First, you need storage that is accessible by both Linux and Windows. I choose a spare SSD, formatted with the exfat filesystem. In Windows, it's mounted as S:, and in Linux, as /mnt/scratch.

Default Save Path


Second, you need to set the right download “Default Save Path” in qBittorrent, both in Linux and in Windows.

screenshot
Set the path to a location accessible by both Linux and Windows.

Fastresume and Torrent file location


The torrent files and their state, fastresume files, are stored in these locations 2:

  • Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%qBittorrentBT_backup

  • Linux: ~/.local/share/data/qBittorrent/BT_backup


You also need to store the files in BT_backup in the same location, accessible by both Linux and Windows. I've symlinked the BT_backup folders to a new folder on my “scratch” disk:
mkdir -p /mnt/scratch/qBittorrent/_activetorrents/BT_backup



cd ~/.local/share/data/qBittorrent

rmdir BT_backup

ln -s /mnt/scratch/qBittorrent/_activetorrents/BT_backup BT_backup

And then in Windows:
cd %LOCALAPPDATA%qBittorrent

rmdir BT_backup

mklink /d BT_backup S:qBittorrent_activetorrentsBT_backup

Convert savepaths between Linux and Windows


The savepaths are stored in fastresume files. Alas, the savepaths are incompatible between Linux and Windows. The same base location for downloaded files is written differently:

  • Windows: S:qBittorrent

  • Linux: /mnt/scratch/qBittorrent/ (using POSIX filenames)


The torrent and fastresume files are encoded as bencoded 3 files. This means you cannot just use sed because strings are precedes with a number indicating their length.

To convert bencoded files to something you can edit from a shellscript easily, you can use bencode-pretty 4. Download, run make, and copy the binaries to /usr/local/bin/.

I've make a quick-and-dirty shellscript to convert the Windows savepaths to POSIX savepaths and back again. Note that if you use different paths, then you need to edit the script.

/usr/local/bin/qbittorrent_fastresume_savepaths_convert.sh
#!/bin/sh



# Converts qBittorrent shared storage between POSIX and Windows savepaths



# Evert Mouw, 2021-03



# change savepaths for .fastresume files used by qBittorrent

# handy when switching between Windows and Linux (posix paths)

# while using the same qBittorrent download folder and BT_backup folder

# dependency: https://github.com/tool-maker/bencode-pretty

# also see the systemd unit below



# argument 1: { windows || posix }



# These constants should be set in a configuration file or set

# as an argument, but currenty this is just for personal use.

BT_backup="/home/evert/qBittorrent/_activetorrents/BT_backup"

sed_toPos='s/S:\qBittorrent\//home/evert/qBittorrent//g'

sed_toWin='s//home/evert/qBittorrent//S:\qBittorrent\/g'



case $1 in

  windows) SED_STRING="$sed_toWin" ;;

  posix)   SED_STRING="$sed_toPos" ;;

  *)

    echo "No valid first argument."

    exit 1

    ;;

esac



cd "$BT_backup"

for FILE in *.fastresume

do

    cat $FILE | bencode_pretty | sed "$SED_STRING" | bencode_unpretty > $1.tmp

    cp $1.tmp $FILE

    rm $1.tmp

done

Make it happen automatically


Now I don't want to have to run this manually. I want this:

  • On Linux bootup, change the savepaths to POSIX style.

  • On Linux shutdown, change the savepahts to Windows style.


Then you can boot into Windows and the fastresume files are ready, or you can boot back in Linux and the savepaths will be converted to POSIX style.

Just use this systemd unit file:
[Unit]

Description=Converts qBittorrent shared storage between POSIX and Windows savepaths

After=multi-user.target



[Service]

Type=oneshot

RemainAfterExit=true

ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/qbittorrent_fastresume_savepaths_convert.sh posix

ExecStop=/usr/local/bin/qbittorrent_fastresume_savepaths_convert.sh windows



[Install]

WantedBy=multi-user.target

I've saved it as: /etc/systemd/system/qbittorrent_fastresume_savepaths_convert.service

Enable and start using:
systemctl enable qbittorrent_fastresume_savepaths_convert

systemctl start qbittorrent_fastresume_savepaths_convert

systemctl status qbittorrent_fastresume_savepaths_convert

You're set!


If all goes well, you will see downloads resuming after booting into another operating system.

Note, however, that I didn't include support to categorize torrents or use subfolders or download locations other than the default.

Happy leeching :-)
Excerpt: Using the same torrents in qBittorrent while dualbooting between Linux and Windows. For advanced computer users. Shellscript and a systemd unit file are included.
Links:
  1. https://www.furorteutonicus.eu/wp-content/uploads/ 2021/03/qBittorrent_dualboot.zip
  2. https://github.com/qbittorrent/qBittorrent/wiki/Fr equently-Asked-Questions#where-does-qbittorrent-sa ve-its-settings
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bencode
  4. https://github.com/tool-maker/bencode-pretty
Post date: 2021-03-21 10:55:58
Post date GMT: 2021-03-21 09:55:58

Post modified date: 2021-03-21 11:01:00
Post modified date GMT: 2021-03-21 10:01:00

Export date: Sat Oct 23 5:14:47 2021 / +0000 GMT
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