If you are running a full node using the original Bitcoin software—Bitcoin Core—your entire financial sovereignty sits inside a single, small file.
Download and install the latest version of the software on your new machine. Bitcoin Core Wallet.dat
Downgrading may fail if the wallet format has changed. Upgrading is safe, but always back up first. If you are running a full node using
Your specific preferences, such as custom transaction fee choices. Legacy Wallets vs. Descriptor Wallets Upgrading is safe, but always back up first
The default filename is wallet.dat . Multi‑wallet support (introduced in v0.15.0) allows named wallets, e.g., watchingonly.dat , coldstorage.dat .
The wallet.dat is the primary file used by the Bitcoin Core client to store your wallet's essential data. It is the most critical component of your Bitcoin node, containing all the information needed to manage, send, and receive Bitcoin. This file is not a simple list; it's a sophisticated database that includes: