New release: Electrum 4.0.5

[AhmadM]

Electrum has released an update to 4.0.5

Fixes an issue with MacOS Big Sur, LN is enabled by default, and some minor changes on user interfaces

# Release 4.0.5 - (Nov 18, 2020)
 * Fix .dmg binary hanging on recently released macOS 11 Big Sur (#6461)
 * Lightning:
   - bugfix: during LN channel opening, if the client crashed at the
     wrong moment, the channel might not get fully persisted to disk,
     and would need manual console-tinkering to recover (#6656)
   - Lightning is enabled by default. Electrum will not connect to
     the Lightning Network until the user opens a channel. (#6639)
   - smarter node recommendation (to open channels with) (#6705)
 * user interface: some minor changes that aim to improve usability
 * Ledger:
   - fix enumerating devices with new bitcoin app (1.5.1) (b78cbcff)
   - fix compat with HW.1 (200f547a)
 * A few other minor bugfixes.

Download link: https://electrum.org/#download

[frankie_goes_to_valhalla]

Hello all!

I cannot download version 4.0.5;

I hope I followed the procedure, I downloaded this version from the verified site of Electrum.org, for Windows (I checked the signature too and it worked), then in my folder "my downloads", I have an "electrum-4.0.5-setup" file and another "electrum-4.0.5-setup.exe", the latter being of type "OpenPGP Text File" (this is the file that contains the pgp key from ThomasV).
To install this update, I double clicked on the "electrum-4.0.5-setup" file and after choosing the destination folder, the installation begins and is quickly followed by a pop'up that tells me "Error Opening File for writing - C: \ Program Files ....... dll - Click abort to stop the installation, Retry to try again or Ignore to skip the file".

And if I click on "ignore", the installation continues for half a second before having the same type of message again and again. So, I was not at the end and I preferred to stop the installation.

Can anyone tell me where I messed up for failing to install this update?

[Rath_]

Can anyone tell me where I messed up for failing to install this update?

Are you sure that Electrum is not running in the background? I got exactly the same error when I tried to reinstall it while I had my wallet opened. Check the task manager. You might need to kill the Electrum process manually.

[frankie_goes_to_valhalla]

Can anyone tell me where I messed up for failing to install this update?

Are you sure that Electrum is not running in the background? I got exactly the same error when I tried to reinstall it while I had my wallet opened. Check the task manager. You might need to kill the Electrum process manually.

You're the best Rath_ !

I hadn't thought about it, but that was the problem.

Many thanks Rath_ 

[NotATether]

Can anyone tell me where I messed up for failing to install this update?

Are you sure that Electrum is not running in the background? I got exactly the same error when I tried to reinstall it while I had my wallet opened. Check the task manager. You might need to kill the Electrum process manually.

You're the best Rath_ !

I hadn't thought about it, but that was the problem.

Many thanks Rath_ 

Keep this in mind when you install any Windows program. Because of the way it was designed, programs have to be closed before you update them, because Windows cannot overwrite files that have open handles, i.e. files that are opened by the program being updated.

[dkbit98]

I would suggest waiting one or two weeks before installing new Electron version, and that goes for any other update for your computer, unless it is critical and mandatory bug fix.

[Husna QA]

I would suggest waiting one or two weeks before installing new Electron version, and that goes for any other update for your computer, unless it is critical and mandatory bug fix.

Maybe what you mean is a new version of Electrum.
By the way, I still get error messages like the following in Electrum 4.0.5 (macOS) when Importing files or Exporting Files in the Contacts Tab.
I also got the same error on Electrum 4.0.4 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3664755.msg55538378#msg55538378)

[Coin-Keeper]

I would suggest waiting one or two weeks before installing new Electron version, and that goes for any other update for your computer, unless it is critical and mandatory bug fix.

That is another reason for why I like to use App Image on Linux.  I can keep the old (as many versions as I want to) on my Desktop while I try the latest release.  The .electrum folder is the only thing changed since App Image remains unchanged during use.  Verify GPG signature on download of course.

[nc50lc]

By the way, I still get error messages like the following in Electrum 4.0.5 (macOS) when Importing files or Exporting Files in the Contacts Tab.
I also got the same error on Electrum 4.0.4 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3664755.msg55538378#msg55538378)

No one has reported the issue but there are a lot of automatic bug reports: https://github.com/spesmilo/electrum/issues/6356
It is the same error displayed in your third screenshot's "Traceback".

And it seems like not confined to macOS since there are reports from Windows and Linux as well.
-update-
It will be fixed in the next release.

[Husna QA]

-update-
It will be fixed in the next release.

Thank you for helping to forward this report at https://github.com/spesmilo/electrum/pull/6754
Another issue I encountered in the macOS version of Electrum 4.0.5; When closing the application (Quit Electrum) once, Electrum does not close immediately, and it looks like this:

[swordsrkewl]

This is my firs time using electrum. I want to clarify something before I transfer crypto to it...I see people setting up their wallet easy enough, but I only see pre 4.0 versions and their wallets already have an address. But my new wallet has that new screen with a button for lightning and bitcoin. Do I need to click the bitcoin button to generate a new address so that my wallet can receive BTC?

I just dont want to lose anything obvously...

Another thing, if I import my keys from the QR code on my paper wallet it will only create a watch only wallet which I cannot send btc from? Is ther eanother way around that or an easier way to get my paper wallet funds to my computer?

Steps I am taking:
generate wallet
click receive tab
then click "B" New Address Box
I then send my btc to this new address?

Is that correct?

Also how do I know if my electrum client is legit? I saw a reddit post that someone somehow got a trojan version from the website just today... I downloaded the client it was abt 27MB does that sound right?

[Chikito]

Do I need to click the bitcoin button to generate a new address so that my wallet can receive BTC?

first, you need to show your address by click view tab and select show address, then click tab address to view your receive address.

Another thing, if I import my keys from the QR code on my paper wallet it will only create a watch only wallet which I cannot send btc from? Is ther eanother way around that or an easier way to get my paper wallet funds to my computer?

If you import a public key (bitcoin address) it will show you a watch-only wallet. this means you have import your private key from a paper wallet with the following format,

Code:

p2pkh:KxZcY47uGp9a...       	-> 1DckmggQM...
p2wpkh-p2sh:KxZcY47uGp9a... 	-> 3NhNeZQXF...
p2wpkh:KxZcY47uGp9a...      	-> bc1q3fjfk..

Also how do I know if my electrum client is legit? I saw a reddit post that someone somehow got a trojan version from the website just today... I downloaded the client it was abt 27MB does that sound right?

You have to read this tutorial to make sure your download is correct: [GUIDE] How to Safely Download and Verify Electrum [Guide]

[nc50lc]

Another issue I encountered in the macOS version of Electrum 4.0.5; When closing the application (Quit Electrum) once, Electrum does not close immediately, and it looks like this:
https://i.imgur.com/TgW9rBw.png

The best solution is to report this as a new issue and include the logs (minus the sensitive info) with the report.
You can enable it in: "Preferences->Write logs to file" (Restart Electrum).

After you reopened Electrum, reproduce the bug and then check the log file in: ~/.electrum/logs
There should be a hint at the last few lines.

[swordsrkewl]

Do I need to click the bitcoin button to generate a new address so that my wallet can receive BTC?

first, you need to show your address by click view tab and select show address, then click tab address to view your receive address.

https://i.postimg.cc/NFKB8C80/1.jpg

Thanks for replying, I really appreciate it. I did what u said, and I got about 16 receiving address, and about 8 "change" address/I only generated several address which I did delete in that receive tab.

Another thing, if I import my keys from the QR code on my paper wallet it will only create a watch only wallet which I cannot send btc from? Is ther eanother way around that or an easier way to get my paper wallet funds to my computer?

If you import a public key (bitcoin address) it will show you a watch-only wallet. this means you have import your private key from a paper wallet with the following format,

Code:

p2pkh:KxZcY47uGp9a...       	-> 1DckmggQM...
p2wpkh-p2sh:KxZcY47uGp9a... 	-> 3NhNeZQXF...
p2wpkh:KxZcY47uGp9a...      	-> bc1q3fjfk..

I was planning on scanning the QR code for the private key, dont have anything to test it out with though unfortunately, but I read that even doing this would create a watch only wallet? or is that just when youre setting it up that way w/import?

Do you have some more details on your later suggestion? Like a guide? Unless it is just as simple as scanning my QR PK, which is what I assumed was correct?

Thanks again so much for your help

[ranochigo]

I was planning on scanning the QR code for the private key, dont have anything to test it out with though unfortunately, but I read that even doing this would create a watch only wallet? or is that just when youre setting it up that way w/import?

Do you have some more details on your later suggestion? Like a guide? Unless it is just as simple as scanning my QR PK, which is what I assumed was correct?

Thanks again so much for your help

If you're scanning your address, you'll generate a watch-only wallet. If you're scanning your private key, you'll be able to generate the correct wallet and be able to spend your funds. Take note, if you generate a watch-only wallet, you'll have a [watch-only] at the the tab's description at the top which is pretty obvious.

IIRC, BIP38 is not supported on Electrum. If you've encrypted your private key, you'll need to decrypt it to get a WIF private key before importing it. It has been quite a while since I've last used a paper wallet but I believe it hasn't changed.

[swordsrkewl]

I was planning on scanning the QR code for the private key, dont have anything to test it out with though unfortunately, but I read that even doing this would create a watch only wallet? or is that just when youre setting it up that way w/import?

Do you have some more details on your later suggestion? Like a guide? Unless it is just as simple as scanning my QR PK, which is what I assumed was correct?

Thanks again so much for your help

If you're scanning your address, you'll generate a watch-only wallet. If you're scanning your private key, you'll be able to generate the correct wallet and be able to spend your funds. Take note, if you generate a watch-only wallet, you'll have a [watch-only] at the the tab's description at the top which is pretty obvious.

IIRC, BIP38 is not supported on Electrum. If you've encrypted your private key, you'll need to decrypt it to get a WIF private key before importing it. It has been quite a while since I've last used a paper wallet but I believe it hasn't changed.

Okay thanks for your response. I dont have encrypted keys. So I just need to set up a regular wallet, and then sweep the paper wallet into my electrum wallet?

When I try to create a new wallet importing private keys I get "Enter a list of Bitcoin addresses (this will create a watching-only wallet), or a list of private keys." So to clarify, they are saying if u enter a list of bitcoin addresses you will create a watch only wallet, but if I import the private keys, then it will NOT create a watch only wallet? 

Just wasnt clear on that and read about ppls btc getting locked up like that, so i want to clarify if those two things are different, unfortunately I dont have anything to test it out with :/ So i obviously need to do it right the first time, lol.

[ranochigo]

Okay thanks for your response. I dont have encrypted keys. So I just need to set up a regular wallet, and then sweep the paper wallet into my electrum wallet?

Yes. You can either import or sweep. If you're thinking of using Electrum to spend your funds in the near future, consider creating a new wallet and go to wallet>private keys>sweep to sweep your funds into your new Electrum wallet.

When I try to create a new wallet importing private keys I get "Enter a list of Bitcoin addresses (this will create a watching-only wallet), or a list of private keys." So to clarify, they are saying if u enter a list of bitcoin addresses you will create a watch only wallet, but if I import the private keys, then it will NOT create a watch only wallet? 

Yes. Nothing will happen to your funds even if you accidentally create a watch-only wallet. Ideally keep your paper wallet around until you successfully spend the funds.

[swordsrkewl]

Okay thanks for your response. I dont have encrypted keys. So I just need to set up a regular wallet, and then sweep the paper wallet into my electrum wallet?

Yes. You can either import or sweep. If you're thinking of using Electrum to spend your funds in the near future, consider creating a new wallet and go to wallet>private keys>sweep to sweep your funds into your new Electrum wallet.

When I try to create a new wallet importing private keys I get "Enter a list of Bitcoin addresses (this will create a watching-only wallet), or a list of private keys." So to clarify, they are saying if u enter a list of bitcoin addresses you will create a watch only wallet, but if I import the private keys, then it will NOT create a watch only wallet? 

Yes. Nothing will happen to your funds even if you accidentally create a watch-only wallet. Ideally keep your paper wallet around until you successfully spend the funds.

Cool thanks. I have installed and validated electrum and there is already a standard wallet set up. So I will follow your steps, wallet>private keys>sweep. it will sweep all my btc into the electrum wallet. And since this wallet is a STANDARD wallet I am sweeping btc into, i wont have to worry about it getting locked as watch only?

Thanks for bearing with me, I am kind of retarded,  I bought 1.5 BTC 8 years ago and bought a vpn with it.  lol

[ranochigo]

Cool thanks. I have installed and validated electrum and there is already a standard wallet set up. So I will follow your steps, wallet>private keys>sweep. it will sweep all my btc into the electrum wallet. And since this wallet is a STANDARD wallet I am sweeping btc into, i wont have to worry about it getting locked as watch only?

Thanks for bearing with me, I am kind of retarded,  I bought 1.5 BTC 8 years ago and bought a vpn with it.  lol

Correct. Electrum won't allow you to sweep an address, it's not possible. It'll only accept a private key.

When it's swept, you'll be greeted with a dialog to confirm that you're sending the funds into the wallet anyways. Do remember to keep a backup of the seeds.

[swordsrkewl]

Cool thanks. I have installed and validated electrum and there is already a standard wallet set up. So I will follow your steps, wallet>private keys>sweep. it will sweep all my btc into the electrum wallet. And since this wallet is a STANDARD wallet I am sweeping btc into, i wont have to worry about it getting locked as watch only?

Thanks for bearing with me, I am kind of retarded,  I bought 1.5 BTC 8 years ago and bought a vpn with it.  lol

Correct. Electrum won't allow you to sweep an address, it's not possible. It'll only accept a private key.

When it's swept, you'll be greeted with a dialog to confirm that you're sending the funds into the wallet anyways. Do remember to keep a backup of the seeds.

yes teh seeds the mnemonic code got those written down adn saved!

Thanks again for all your help!