WinMX 3.54 Beta 4 is old, but not necessarily safe.
WinMX utilized a different architecture than the popular FastTrack network (used by Kazaa and Grokster). The WinMX Peer Network (WPN) was designed to be more resilient to "leechers" (users who download but do not upload).
The client itself enforced sharing. The protocol worked on a "show me yours and I'll show you mine" logic; users who restricted their library often found their own search results limited. This created a culture of abundance, especially for rare music, obscure B-sides, and live concert recordings.
The software featured a library tab that allowed users to share folders, set upload slots, and ban specific file types. It also included a "hotlist" feature—a buddy list that let you see when specific users came online.
The glory days of millions of users are over, but a dedicated community persists. Here’s how to maximize success: