How would I create a bitcoin blockchain bootstrap file(s) ?

[dave4925]

I am using bitcoin core , windows 64-bit with windows 7.
How would I create a bootstrap file so I can import the blockchain on another machine so I don't have to spend days downloading the blockchain?
Thanks!

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[achow101]

Don't use a bootstrap.dat file. It will still take a very long time. Rather you can just copy and paste an existing datadir (all you need is the blocks folder and the chainstate folder) to the new machine. This is by far the fastest because the blockchain and its state have already been verified and that information stored in the datadir, so your new node will just use that already-done verification.

[dave4925]

Don't use a bootstrap.dat file. It will still take a very long time. Rather you can just copy and paste an existing datadir (all you need is the blocks folder and the chainstate folder) to the new machine. This is by far the fastest because the blockchain and its state have already been verified and that information stored in the datadir, so your new node will just use that already-done verification.

Awesome! By the way, what folder is the data folder?  I might have done a configuration or registry key to change the folder too.  If not, what files to windows search for to find the folder?
Thanks!

[achow101]

Awesome! By the way, what folder is the data folder?  I might have done a configuration or registry key to change the folder too.  If not, what files to windows search for to find the folder?
Thanks!

The first time you started Bitcoin Core, you were prompted to choose a datadir. If you did not choose a custom one and left the default, then it will be in C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Bitcoin

[dave4925]

Awesome! By the way, what folder is the data folder?  I might have done a configuration or registry key to change the folder too.  If not, what files to windows search for to find the folder?
Thanks!

The first time you started Bitcoin Core, you were prompted to choose a datadir. If you did not choose a custom one and left the default, then it will be in C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Bitcoin

looks like I chose another folder.  Is there a blockchain file name I can search the computer for to find the folder?  It was early this year I installed it on this machine so my memory is gone.

[achow101]

looks like I chose another folder.  Is there a blockchain file name I can search the computer for to find the folder?  It was early this year I installed it on this machine so my memory is gone.

Search for wallet.dat. That is your wallet file and it is located in the datadir. When you copy the datadir to a new computer, make sure you do not copy the wallet.dat file.

[HCP]

Open up Bitcoin Core... click: "Help -> Debug Window -> Information"... look for the datadir value... That is the folder containing your wallet.dat and the blocks and chainstate folders

[dave4925]

ok, so I found the data directory, and sent those files to the new laptop.  When I installed bitcoin core, it said the data was corrupt.  It re-indexed for an hour or two, now it has to synch headers.  On block 3451 after a half hour or so, and there are like over 450k blocks.... how on earth do you guys do this without taking weeks?  I also faintly remember getting this same error before and it did take like a week...

[AGD]

ok, so I found the data directory, and sent those files to the new laptop.  When I installed bitcoin core, it said the data was corrupt.  It re-indexed for an hour or two, now it has to synch headers.  On block 3451 after a half hour or so, and there are like over 450k blocks.... how on earth do you guys do this without taking weeks?  I also faintly remember getting this same error before and it did take like a week...

You probably need to close the client and copy the files again deleting the old files.

[MFahad]

I am using bitcoin core , windows 64-bit with windows 7.
How would I create a bootstrap file so I can import the blockchain on another machine so I don't have to spend days downloading the blockchain?
Thanks!

Better to just export and import, maybe even use a light weight wallet at the new PC, there is rarely a reason for anyone to use the entire chain on their computer. Those are either people that want to do some real coding, or those that want to feel important and special. No need for any of that these days.

[dave4925]

lightweight client?  Like what?

[bob123]

lightweight client?  Like what?

Light wallets are wallets which don't require the full blockchain on the PC.
Those wallets sync your addresses via online Services.
There are a Lot of light wallets on the Market.
One would be Electrum for example.

[dave4925]

for some reason after copying all the blockchain files a second time, it worked.
I also installed electrum and am using that one, I kind of like it more than core now.  It's easy to adjust the fee with the slider, and doesn't use many resources, and seems secure enough.