Bitcoin Forum

Is there any software that can open a Bitcoin Core wallet.dat file without having to download the entire blockchain?

You can set Bitcoin Core to open without downloading the entire blockchain. Just append -connect=127.0.0.1 to the startup command and export your private keys so that you can use them elsewhere. If you want a lightweight client, I recommend using Electrum.

Can't you disconnect the internet and open bitcoin core wallet.dat file? if you just want to open the wallet to export private keys.

if you want to open Bitcoin Core wallet.dat file to export private keys to use in another wallet you can try pywallet
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=714540.0

its easy to use and you don't need to download blockchain

Thanks for the replies, but that's not what I'm aiming to do.

I want to open the wallet to read how many bitcoins are in there. I don't want to export private keys or anything.

The purpose to show proof that I own X BTC to a mortgage broker.

There is currently no other software which can use the Bitcoin Core wallet as its wallet file except for Bitcoin Core. And the only way to see your balance in that wallet is to use Bitcoin Core. You could look up all of the addresses in the wallet and get a balance that way though.

Thanks! At least I know now.