WinMx.Knot4Prophet.com

WinMX began its life as an OpenNAP client capable of connecting to several servers simultaneously, although Frontcode later created a proprietary protocol, termed WinMX Peer Network Protocol (WPNP), which was used starting with WinMX 2 in May 2001. WPNP version 2 was phased out as WinMX 3.0 and its WPNP version 3 protocol came into existence. Frontcode had operated several cache servers to aid WPNP network operation.

On September 13, 2005, Frontcode Technologies received a cease and desist letter from the RIAA demanding that they either implement filters to make it impossible for users to download copyrighted material from WinMX, or shut down. On September 21, 2005 the network and the WinMX homepage were officially confirmed as offline.

By September 25, 2005, users were able to download a working software patch for WinMX from two websites. These patches work by modifying the DNS lookup WinMX uses to find peer caches. When WinMX tries to find the FrontCode peer caches (central servers essential for the operation of WinMX), it is instead directed to look up one of the new peer caches set up by the WinMX community. The patches themselves are free, but there are many websites who charge users before they can gain access to the patches. The websites originating the patches, however, do NOT charge for any download. There is no officially sanctioned patch to download and each will include its own set of instructions for installation and use. Three common patches are the one set up by WinMXGroup, one by Operation PIE (Peer Integration Exchange), and one by the MXPie Team.