Size of wallet.dat file

[bubble1]

I've been running an old version, 0.8, of bitcoin core on Windows 7 and decided to upgrade to 0.15.0.1

To be on the safe side, I removed my wallet.dat file and just let the install create a new wallet.dat.

However, my original wallet.dat is 96Kb, while the new (empty) one shows as 1408Kb.

That's a huge size increase.

What accounts for that? Is it safe to replace the new wallet.dat with my original?

[jackg]

I've been running an old version, 0.8, of bitcoin core on Windows 7 and decided to upgrade to 0.15.0.1

To be on the safe side, I removed my wallet.dat file and just let the install create a new wallet.dat.

However, my original wallet.dat is 96Kb, while the new (empty) one shows as 1408Kb.

That's a huge size increase.

What accounts for that? Is it safe to replace the new wallet.dat with my original?

It is safe to just replace the files. Make sure you run your core with the -updatewallet command to ensure your wallet file gets converted into a usable format.

The size difference is due to a few factors. One of which being that the new file is hierarchical deterministic meaning that it has to store a very large number to determine allof the addresses and private keys your wallet can have.

[bubble1]

Thanks jackg.

I just looked on https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Running_Bitcoin to see what other commands were available. It does not list updatewallet but it does have upgradewallet

Is the wiki wrong?

Please advise

[AtheistAKASaneBrain]

You don't need to use any command or anything other than to put the wallet.dat that has bitcoins in your Bitcoin Core folder.

Don't delete wallets ever, just rename them. This way you guarantee you don't do anything stupid.

And like I said, no need to use commands. The new Bitcoin Core versions are still compatible with the original wallet.dat format (non HD). Im still using it.

[bubble1]

Following your suggestion I opened the old wallet, and all seems well.
Thanks for your help

[Muhammedayo]

Can you please guide me through the what the ".dat file is all about ' ?
I don't mind giving me a link to read up.

Thanks

[jackg]

Can you please guide me through the what the ".dat file is all about ' ?
I don't mind giving me a link to read up.

Thanks

You should really have posted this in a new thread.

However, the wallet.dat is the file needed to store the wallet data such as addresses and private keys.

From - https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Data_directory#Files - wallet.dat - Storage for keys, transactions, metadata, and options. Please be sure to make backups of this file. It contains the keys necessary for spending your bitcoins.

[Muhammedayo]

Thanks, I really appreciate your prompt response.
I've got enough to understand what is meant by. 'dat file ' after reading through the given link.

Thanks once again