Where's the wallet.dat file? Can't find it :(

[advisers]

Hey guys, I understand that if I make a copy of my wallet.dat file I will never lose my bitcoins. Problem is that I can't find that file in my bitcoin folder. Btw, I am using the qt client.

[jackjack]

Linux, OSX, Windows?
Btw I'm sure the answer is on the wiki

[ebildude123]

If you are using windows, it's in %AppData%/Bitcoin
In linux it‘s in ~/.bitcoin
Not sure about mac tho.

[advisers]

Thanks. Windows.

I'm in the bitcoin folder in appdata in windows. Can't find any wallet.dat file in it.

[jackjack]

I may be a hidden file

[Vod]

Thanks. Windows.

I'm in the bitcoin folder in appdata in windows. Can't find any wallet.dat file in it.

What version of windows?

[advisers]

there's a src folder and a daemon folder but I cannot find any wallet in them

[mjc]

Check this out.

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Data_directory

[the joint]

Or, if you want the straight forward answer for Windows...

1)  Click the "start" tab or the windows icon on the bottom left.

2)  Type in %appdata%  including the percentage signs into the search box

3)  Open the "roaming" folder

4)  Open the "Bitcoin" folder

5)  Observe your wallet.dat contained in said "Bitcoin" folder

[MysteryMiner]

After You find the wallet.dat and back it up, read further.

Hey guys, I understand that if I make a copy of my wallet.dat file I will never lose my bitcoins.

This is not true. First thing is that wallet.dat initially generates 100 addresses (private keys). The wallet backup is good for some time until these addresses are used up. I suggest the wallet.dat to be backed up regularly using different file names or folders, to keep all versions of wallets organized in case of corruption.

Also the coins can be lost if someone hacks the computer and gets the wallet or private keys.

[vnon]

After You find the wallet.dat and back it up, read further.

Hey guys, I understand that if I make a copy of my wallet.dat file I will never lose my bitcoins.

This is not true. First thing is that wallet.dat initially generates 100 addresses (private keys). The wallet backup is good for some time until these addresses are used up. I suggest the wallet.dat to be backed up regularly using different file names or folders, to keep all versions of wallets organized in case of corruption.

Also the coins can be lost if someone hacks the computer and gets the wallet or private keys.

Exactly. Remember that if ANY of your wallet.dat copies are compromised, all your coins associated with that key are at risk, no matter how many backups you have.

Encryption+offline storage+backups seems to be pretty a good practice to me. It's also important for the system you create the key/use your wallet on to be secure as well.