Where to Download Bitcoin Core
Bitcoin Core is the official software client of the Bitcoin network. It is a full node that validates and relays transactions on the blockchain. It also allows you to create and manage your own Bitcoin wallet, send and receive payments, and participate in the decentralized governance of Bitcoin.
If you want to use Bitcoin securely and privately, you need to download and run Bitcoin Core on your computer. This way, you can verify the transactions yourself, without relying on third-party services or intermediaries. You can also contribute to the network by keeping your node online and sharing bandwidth with other peers.
where to download bitcoin core
In this article, we will show you where to download Bitcoin Core for different platforms, how to verify your download, and what are the features and requirements of Bitcoin Core.
What is Bitcoin Core and Why You Need It
Bitcoin Core is a free and open-source software project that was started in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto, the anonymous creator of Bitcoin. It is the original implementation of the Bitcoin protocol and the reference client for other software developers.
Bitcoin Core is more than just a wallet. It is also a full node that connects to the peer-to-peer network of Bitcoin nodes. It downloads and stores the entire history of Bitcoin transactions (the blockchain), which currently exceeds 500 GB in size. It also validates every new transaction and block that is broadcasted to the network, ensuring that they follow the consensus rules of Bitcoin.
By running Bitcoin Core, you can enjoy the following benefits:
You have full control over your own money. You don't need to trust or depend on any third-party service or intermediary to store, send, or receive your bitcoins. You can also choose your own transaction fees and security settings.
You protect your privacy and anonymity. You don't need to reveal any personal information or identity documents to use Bitcoin Core. You can also use features like Tor or VPN to hide your IP address and location from other nodes on the network.
You support the decentralization and security of Bitcoin. You help maintain the network by verifying transactions and blocks, and by sharing bandwidth with other nodes. You also have a say in the governance of Bitcoin by signaling your support or opposition to proposed changes in the protocol.
Bitcoin Core Features
Bitcoin Core offers a range of features that make it a powerful and versatile software for using Bitcoin. Some of these features are:
A graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to easily manage your wallet, send and receive payments, view transaction history, and adjust settings.
A command-line interface (CLI) that allows you to interact with Bitcoin Core using commands and scripts.
A JSON-RPC interface that allows you to communicate with Bitcoin Core using various programming languages and frameworks.
A built-in wallet that supports multiple addresses, labels, encryption, backup, restore, import, export, watch-only mode, coin control, and more.
A peer-to-peer network that connects you to thousands of other nodes around the world, allowing you to exchange data and messages with them.
A consensus engine that implements the rules of Bitcoin and validates every transaction and block that is received by your node.
A mempool that stores unconfirmed transactions that are waiting to be included in a block.
A mining interface that allows you to mine bitcoins using your CPU or GPU, or connect to an external mining pool or device.
A testnet mode that allows you to run Bitcoin Core on a separate network for testing purposes.
A pruning mode that allows you to reduce the disk space required by Bitcoin Core by deleting old blocks that are no longer needed.
Bitcoin Core Requirements
Before you download and run Bitcoin Core, you need to make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements for running the software. These are These are:
A computer with a 64-bit processor and operating system.
At least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended).
At least 600 GB of free disk space (1 TB recommended).
A broadband internet connection with at least 50 KB/s upload speed (200 KB/s recommended).
An uninterrupted power supply or battery backup.
If you don't meet these requirements, you can still use Bitcoin, but you will need to use a different software client or service that does not require running a full node.
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How to Download Bitcoin Core for Different Platforms
The official website of Bitcoin Core is where you can find the latest version of the software, as well as the source code, documentation, and other resources. You can also download Bitcoin Core from other websites or sources, but you need to be careful and verify your download before installing it.
The following table shows the download links for Bitcoin Core for different platforms, as well as the file size and checksum of the latest version (0.21.1) as of June 2021.
Platform
Download Link
File Size
Checksum (SHA256)
Windows
31.3 MB
375e0b82bfc1f3ca9c4e9ce2ecb07e469a9f6b7f8f8b3c6cb808a9f55e6335ff
MacOS
25.8 MB
b7e01d099a6723679b798575423c11d61c4a8c3d5e089789ecc3fdefe7965f15
Linux
30.6 MB
dbca89d3802f77d874e01e9d7ea6df03a5fc27c0ac799ff9162427058ceaeef1
Snap Package
N/A
N/A
After you have downloaded the file for your platform, you need to verify your download to make sure that it is authentic and has not been tampered with. This is an important step to ensure the security and integrity of your Bitcoin Core installation.
How to Verify Your Download
To verify your download, you need to compare the checksum of the file you downloaded with the checksum provided by the Bitcoin Core developers. A checksum is a unique string of letters and numbers that is generated from the file using a mathematical function. If the file has been altered in any way, the checksum will be different.
The checksums for Bitcoin Core are published on the official website, as well as on various other sources, such as GitHub, BitTorrent, and PGP signatures. You can use any of these sources to obtain the checksum for your platform.
Once you have the checksum, you need to use a tool or a command to calculate the checksum of the file you downloaded and compare it with the one you obtained. The tool or command you use depends on your platform and operating system. Here are some examples of how to verify your download for different platforms:
Windows Verification Instructions
If you are using Windows, you can use a tool like 7-Zip or WinRAR to calculate the checksum of the file you downloaded. Alternatively, you can use the built-in PowerShell command.
To use 7-Zip, right-click on the file and select 7-Zip > CRC SHA > SHA-256. The checksum will be displayed in a pop-up window. Compare it with the one you obtained and make sure they match.
To use WinRAR, right-click on the file and select Properties > Checksums. The checksum will be displayed in a new window. Compare it with the one you obtained and make sure they match.
To use PowerShell, open a PowerShell window and type the following command: Get-FileHash -Path "C:\path\to\file" -Algorithm SHA256. Replace "C:\path\to\file" with the actual path and name of the file you downloaded. The checksum will be displayed in the output. Compare it with the one you obtained and make sure they match.
MacOS Verification Instructions
If you are using MacOS, you can use the built-in Terminal command to calculate the checksum of the file you downloaded.
To use Terminal, open a Terminal window and type the following command: shasum -a 256 /path/to/file. Replace "/path/to/file" with the actual path and name of the file you downloaded. The checksum will be displayed in the output. Compare it with the one you obtained and make sure they match.
Linux Verification Instructions
If you are using Linux, you can use the built-in Terminal command to calculate the checksum of the file you downloaded.
To use Terminal, open a Terminal window and type the following command: sha256sum /path/to/file. Replace "/path/to/file" with the actual path and name of the file you downloaded. The checksum will be displayed in the output. Compare it with the one you obtained and make sure they match.
Snap Package Verification Instructions
If you are using a snap package, you can use the snap command to verify your download.
To use snap, open a Terminal window and type the following command: snap info bitcoin-core grep sha256sums. The checksums for different architectures will be displayed in the output. Find the one that matches your architecture and compare it with the one you obtained and make sure they match.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you where to download Bitcoin Core for different platforms, how to verify your download, and what are the features and requirements of Bitcoin Core. We hope that this article has helped you to install and run Bitcoin Core on your computer and enjoy using Bitcoin securely and privately.
If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us through our website. We would love to hear from you!
FAQs
What is the difference between Bitcoin Core and Bitcoin?
Bitcoin Core is a software client that implements the Bitcoin protocol. Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency that is based on the Bitcoin protocol. You can use Bitcoin Core to interact with Bitcoin, but they are not the same thing.
How long does it take to download and sync Bitcoin Core?
The download time depends on your internet speed and bandwidth. The sync time depends on your computer speed and disk space. It can take It can take several hours or days to download and sync Bitcoin Core, depending on your internet and computer conditions. You can check the progress of the sync by looking at the bottom of the Bitcoin Core GUI or by using the getblockchaininfo command in the CLI.
How can I update Bitcoin Core to the latest version?
To update Bitcoin Core to the latest version, you need to download the new version from the official website or another source, verify your download, and install it over your existing version. You don't need to uninstall or delete your old version, as your wallet and settings will be preserved.
How can I backup and restore my Bitcoin Core wallet?
To backup your Bitcoin Core wallet, you need to copy the file called wallet.dat from your Bitcoin Core data directory to a safe location, such as a USB drive or a cloud storage service. You can find your data directory by using the getdatadir command in the CLI or by looking at the Help > Debug window > Information tab in the GUI.
To restore your Bitcoin Core wallet, you need to copy the backup file to your Bitcoin Core data directory, replacing the existing wallet.dat file. You may need to rescan the blockchain to update your balance and transaction history, by using the -rescan option when starting Bitcoin Core.
How can I reduce the disk space used by Bitcoin Core?
To reduce the disk space used by Bitcoin Core, you can enable the pruning mode, which deletes old blocks that are no longer needed. You can enable pruning by using the -prune option when starting Bitcoin Core, or by setting prune=1 in your bitcoin.conf file. You can also specify the amount of disk space you want to allocate for pruning, by using -prune= where is the number of megabytes you want to use. 44f88ac181
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