qBittorrent 5.1 Brings New Features And Many Changes

When I am not testing beers or reading Linux security news, I follow the software releases news—especially for open-source projects I use daily.

One such project is qBittorrent, a popular BitTorrent client known for its clean interface, strong feature set, and active development.

The release of qBittorrent 5.1 brings a wave of improvements, from enhanced usability to under-the-hood security tweaks and major WebUI upgrades. Let’s take a look at the key highlights from this release.

New Features

• Customizable save statistics interval
• Drag support added to the torrent content widget
• External IP address now displayed in the status bar
• Use of modern random number functions on Linux/Windows (security enhancement)
• Added eXact Length parameter support when creating magnet URIs
• Support for fetching tracker list from a URL
• Announce port (announce_port) support added

Bug Fixes

• Adaptive step size for upload/download speed limits
• URL link added for reverse proxy setup examples
• Drop actions allowed only on the transfer list
• Fixed tab order in dialogs and various UI elements
• Filesize sorting issue in the preview dialog resolved
• Improved speed icons in the status bar
• Updated and corrected news link
• Links are now accessible by keyboard
• Tab key correctly switches focus
• Revised DHT bootstrap node list
• Fallback to the first tracker as current if needed
• Fixed crash on app exit when “Add torrent” dialogs are open
• Fixed file relocation bug when switching to manual mode
• Prevented crash due to corrupted resume data

WebUI Improvements

• Enhanced support for assistive technologies
• Migrated away from MooTools to native browser APIs
• Implemented path autocompletion
• Added double-click behavior customization
• Option to toggle alternating row colors in tables
• Improved visibility of unread RSS articles
• Deleted torrents removed even when filtered
• Highlighted torrent category in context menu
• ‘Auto hide zero status filters’ implemented
• Torrent list filtering by save path
• Regex syntax error handling in filters
• Added missing icons and updated tooltip behavior
• Context menu and UI interactions improved
• Display of country/region names with flags
• New options for renaming, rechecking, and managing torrents
• Auto-resizing table columns support
• Better layout handling for tabs and panels
• Thin scrollbars and reduced table padding
• Added colors and indicators to log and tracker status columns
• Improved magnet handler behavior
• DHT, PeX, and LSD rows pinned on top of tracker list
• Confirm dialogs added for critical WebUI actions
• Search filters changed to use input type “search”
• Bug fixes in RSS panel display and UI preference application

WebAPI Enhancements

• New WebAPI for managing torrent webseeds
• Added support for removing trackers without re-announcing
• New forced parameter for torrents/add method
• Optional inclusion of tracker list in torrent info
• New method setTags for adding/updating torrent tags

Search Functionality

• Support for multiple simultaneous searches
• Ability to refresh existing search results
• Search tab and history persistence
• SSL context field added
• Migration from SocksiPy to PySocks 1.7.1
• Minimum required Python version bumped

RSS Improvements

• Relative URLs in article descriptions now resolved properly

Platform-Specific Enhancements

Windows:

• Opt-in to Windows SegmentHeap for better memory efficiency
• Option to choose light/dark mode color scheme
• Python installer hash verification added

Linux:

• Thunar file manager integration added

macOS:

Fixed shift-click selection issue on macOS

Conclusion

qBittorrent 5.1 is more than just a routine update—it represents a meaningful step forward for users who value stability, control, and modern UI features in their torrenting experience.

From support for secure randomization methods to WebUI enhancements tailored for accessibility and customization, this version solidifies qBittorrent’s place as a top-tier open-source client.

With active contributors consistently polishing the platform, qBittorrent remains a reliable choice for both casual and power users.

Whether you’re managing dozens of torrents or just need a lightweight tool that respects your system resources and privacy, version 5.1 proves that thoughtful open-source development is alive and well.