Bitcoin Forum

Do all clients use the same wallet file? Can I just open and use the same wallet in different clients?

Or does each client have its own wallet? Which means you get locked into a client more or less?

Unfortunately, at least when there is a desire to change one's client, clients may use different wallet files. Otherwise it is even usefull when e.g. having a deterministic wallet like in Armory (future addresses are predictable and therefore the wallet requires a backup only once).

Unfortunately, each client has its own wallet format.

If you want to try a new client, you basically have 3 options:

1. You can export the private keys from your existing wallet to import them in the new one:

   Each client has support for private key export and import. However, in some clients, this needs
   to be done through command-line parameters.

2. You go for the gradual transition: While you test drive the new client, you just keep using
   your current one as well, and maintain 2 separate wallets

3. You decide to send the coins in your existing wallet to one of your new addresses:

   This is probably the best solution once you have decided that you do want to switch clients,
   but you will need to update your contacts, web pages, forum signature,  etc with
   your new address(es)

And of course, always back up your wallets.

I transfered wallet.dat file from LInux to windows and replaced wallet.dat file in windows folder it wroked just fine. seems like transferring your wallet.dat file is enough.

You probably used the same client on both OS's.

I dont know actually, on Backtrack (ubuntu) it was standard install

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:stretch/bitcoin
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install bitcoin

on windows - official program.

there is another client I think in Gentoo Linux, never tried it.

any more clients?

There are 4 main desktop clients, the "official" one (aka Bitcoin-Qt, aka Satoshi client) and 3 others. All are multi-OS.

Perhaps you will find this chart (http://dre.tx0.org/compare.htm) helpful.

Thank you flatfly. Great chart. +1

Some software can import wallets from other software (Armory can import wallets from older versions of bitcoind). In the future, wallets could even be made compatible by implementing the same new address generation algorithm.

thanks, interesting

Armory does not have networking component and needs Satoshi client to be running in order for Armory to work. Great, half job done, where is my LAN cable .. any one ?

Electrum -  installed on Mint 13 Linux in 5 minuts running no problems.

sudo apt-get install python-pip
sudo apt-get install python-qt4
sudo apt-get install pyqt4-dev-tools
sudo pip install ecdsa
sudo pip install slowaes
git clone git://gitorious.org/electrum/electrum.git
cd electrum
pyrcc4 icons.qrc -o lib/icons_rc.py
python mki18n.py
sudo python setup.py install
electrum

 BUt it require you to keep your wallet on their remote server. Thanks, I will have to think about .. it

MultiBit  wow !!!  downloaded and installed on Mint 13 in 5 minuts. easy to install for those who not familiar with LInux. Comes with Windows like installer. Very good impression so far.

Actually, the Electrum remote servers only keep the blockchain and relay your transactions. The wallet is kept on your own computer at all times. I know because it's the client I use primarily, and I often examine the source code. You can read more about it on at http://ecdsa.org/electrum/

That said, Multibit is definitely very nice as well!

thanks for clarification, then that is nice solution for small pen drive distros, and no need in dowloading block chain for each install definitely a plus.