Found an old "wallet.dat" - How do I use it?

[BlackstarCollective]

I found an old wallet.dat file from an old harddrive, how do I import it for use?

Do I download the Bitcoin Core or somthing similar?

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[Senor.Bla]

First make sure that nobody tries to scam you and that you are on a safe computer/environment.
You could could use Bitcoin Core, but do you really want to wait for +100 GB to download? This will take hours.
There are wallets where you can import your wallet.dat and see if/how much is in it. You will also be able to use it then. I would recommend to make a copy first, before you play around with it.

[achow101]

You will have to use Bitcoin Core because no other wallet uses the wallet.dat format. Furthermore, the wallet format has changed over time, and only the latest version of Bitcoin Core will work with all of them. Just download and install Bitcoin Core, start it and let it create the datadir. Then stop Bitcoin Core, put the wallet.dat file in the Bitcoin Core data folder, replacing whatever wallet.dat file is automatically created, and start it again. You may need to start Bitcoin Core with -upgradewallet for the wallet to work properly.

[dodgrad]

I have this same problem when i have MultiBit wallet. I make backup of wallet.dat file and later i have question what i have to do to bring my wallet back.
With MultiBit it is easy - you have to install Multibit Classic, then just copy -> paste your old wallet.dat to %appdata% folder with Multibit, then in wallet menu you have to find option "open wallet" and just select your file - then just wait for actualization.

[achow101]

I have this same problem when i have MultiBit wallet. I make backup of wallet.dat file and later i have question what i have to do to bring my wallet back.
With MultiBit it is easy - you have to install Multibit Classic, then just copy -> paste your old wallet.dat to %appdata% folder with Multibit, and wait for actualization.

Multibit does not use wallet.dat files. Attempting to use a wallet.dat file with Multibit will not work.

[dodgrad]

I have this same problem when i have MultiBit wallet. I make backup of wallet.dat file and later i have question what i have to do to bring my wallet back.
With MultiBit it is easy - you have to install Multibit Classic, then just copy -> paste your old wallet.dat to %appdata% folder with Multibit, and wait for actualization.

Multibit does not use wallet.dat files. Attempting to use a wallet.dat file with Multibit will not work.

my bad - i write xx.dat - but i'm sure that you know that i was thinkin about   xxx.wallet - and it is very easy to safe data for newbies..

Edit: sorry, now i get the difference between .dat and .wallet - sorry for confusion

[mmo4me.2016]

I have this same problem when i have MultiBit wallet. I make backup of wallet.dat file and later i have question what i have to do to bring my wallet back.
With MultiBit it is easy - you have to install Multibit Classic, then just copy -> paste your old wallet.dat to %appdata% folder with Multibit, and wait for actualization.

Multibit does not use wallet.dat files. Attempting to use a wallet.dat file with Multibit will not work.

You can used Multibit verion 5.17 to port dat file

[Heyo:P]

Use electrum. After installing just go to File > Open and select your wallet.dat file to check it's balance.

[cpfreeplz]

Any update? How much was in the wallet?! I'm dying to know! Was this your old hard drive or just one you got yours hands on one way or another?

[User365]

Im not sure but shouldn´t it be encrypted ?

So without the key no money ? 

[icanscript]

Im not sure but shouldn´t it be encrypted ?

So without the key no money ?  

Nope, Wallet encryption on bitcoin core is optional. Originally there was not even an encryption option.

I imagine many wallets out there have not been opened up since encryption was added.

Would be nice to know if he found anything  .

[User365]

Im not sure but shouldn´t it be encrypted ?

So without the key no money ?  

Nope, Wallet encryption on bitcoin core is optional. Originally there was not even an encryption option.

I imagine many wallets out there have not been opened up since encryption was added.

Would be nice to know if he found anything  .

Ok well I didn´t know that,

I started using Bitcoin core when there was already a option to encrypt it and ofcourse I did. 

[dodgrad]

To be honest, i always make buck up with wallet.dat file - the files that have not much value i send via email to my "buckup" email. Always when i make restar of my Windows i install MuliBit Classic, and there is easy option to "open wallet" - just show where is your wallet.dat file and MultiBit will open it! Easy pisy