Bitcoin Forum

If I have an encrypted wallet backup, I understand that I should re-do the backup before the next 100 transactions. Sorry for the stupid question, but when I update the backup, do I just need to load the wallet.dat back up, or should I send the coins to a brand new wallet and back that up?

Thanks

To update a backup, you just need to copy over your current wallet.dat. We also recommend exiting out of bitcoin before doing so.

So if I have a backup and a spending wallet, all I have to do is remove the spending wallet for a minute, copy the backup back into the location, load bitcoin, exit, back it up again and then restore my spending wallet?

if thats the case thats what I was thinking. thanks!  :)

I'm confused. Are you just trying to backup your spending wallet or are you trying to create a savings wallet?

I have spending and savings wallet. I want to update the savings wallet backup.

If at any time the only copy of a wallet is on your "backup" media, then you don't have a backup you only have a single copy stored elsewhere than on your computer.

There are multiple approaches to keeping backups, including having a "savings" and a separate "checking" wallet as you describe.  Those are good practices when the amount of bitcoins becomes more than pocket change.

Incidentally, here's a guide from the Bitcoin wiki on the subject:
  - http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Securing_your_wallet#Backup (http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Securing_your_wallet#Backup)

Ok I understand now! No need to update savings backup because it is a different wallet from my spending.

Thank you!