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How to Find a Lost wallet.dat File on Your Computer

August 22, 2025

Bitcoin WalletThe fastest way to find a lost wallet.dat file is to look in the default data directory used by Bitcoin wallet software. You can also search your storage for the file; we’ve outlined how to do that easily below.

The wallet.dat file is most commonly associated with Bitcoin Core, the original client for the Bitcoin network. Other cryptocurrencies (particularly those forked from Bitcoin) may also use a file with the same name. The wallet.dat contains the private keys for your Bitcoin addresses — so if you’ve lost it, you’ve also lost access to your cryptocurrency.

This guide will show you exactly where to look on Windows, macOS, and Linux. We will also cover what to do if it’s not in the default location and the steps to take once you’ve found it.

If you’ve lost access to your crypto, we’re here to help. Datarecovery.com provides risk-free evaluations for crypto data recovery. Call 1-800-237-4200 to speak with an expert or set up a case online.

Default Bitcoin Core Directory Locations

The Bitcoin Core client creates a data directory when it’s first run. This is where your wallet.dat file is stored, unless you specified a custom location. The location of this directory varies by operating system.

Note: On Windows and macOS, the folder you need to access might be hidden by default. You will need to enable the “Show hidden files” option in your system’s settings first.

Windows

On Windows, the Bitcoin Core data directory is located within the AppData folder. The full path is typically: C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Bitcoin\

You can access it quickly by using this shortcut:

  1. Press the Windows Key + R to open the “Run” dialog box.
  2. Type %APPDATA%\Bitcoin\ into the box and press Enter.
  3. An Explorer window will open directly to the correct folder. Look for the wallet.dat file inside.

macOS

For macOS users, the data directory is located inside the user’s Library folder.

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Click “Go” in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  3. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard. The “Library” option will appear in the dropdown menu. Click on it.
  4. Once inside the Library, navigate to the Application Support folder, and then to the Bitcoin folder.

The full path is: ~/Library/Application Support/Bitcoin/

Linux

On Linux systems, the Bitcoin Core directory is a hidden folder located in your home directory.

  1. Open your file manager.
  2. Navigate to your Home directory (~).
  3. Enable “Show Hidden Files.” (This is often done by pressing Ctrl + H or through the view menu).
  4. Look for a folder named .bitcoin. Your wallet.dat file will be inside.

The full path is: ~/.bitcoin/

If the File Isn’t In the Default Location

If you don’t find your wallet.dat file in the default directory, you may have saved it elsewhere or used a custom data directory when setting up Bitcoin Core. The next step is to perform a system-wide search.

  • Use your OS search function: Use the built-in search tool for your operating system (Search in File Explorer for Windows, Spotlight for macOS, or find command in the Linux terminal).
  • Use a third-party search tool. We’re big fans of voidtool’s Everything, which is a lightweight client that shows search results immediately. If you’ve got a slower system, Everything can make the search process a lot quicker (particularly if you’re looking for other crypto wallet files that you might have forgotten about over time). 
  • Check external drives and backups: Don’t forget to check any external hard drives, USB flash drives, or cloud backup services where you may have saved a copy.

What to Do After You Find Your wallet.dat File

Finding the file is the most important step. Once you locate it, proceed with caution to ensure the safety of your funds.

  1. DO NOT OPEN IT: Do not double-click or try to open the wallet.dat file with a text editor. This could corrupt the file. It is only meant to be used by the wallet software.
  2. Create Backups Immediately: Before you do anything else, copy the file to at least two separate, secure, offline locations. Good options include an encrypted USB drive or a password-protected external hard drive. Do not save your only copy on a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox without strong encryption.
  3. Restore Access to Your Wallet: To use the file, install a fresh version of the Bitcoin Core client. Once installed, close the application. Then, copy your found wallet.dat file into the default data directory for your operating system, replacing the new, empty wallet file that was just created. When you restart Bitcoin Core, it will load your wallet. You will still need your passphrase to unlock it and send any funds.

Note: Depending on how long it has been since you last used the wallet, Bitcoin Core may need to sync with the network, a process that can take a significant amount of time and require a great deal of disk space.

Professional Data Recovery Services for Cryptocurrency

If you have located your wallet.dat file but find that it is corrupted — or if you are dealing with a more complex data loss scenario involving a failed hard drive or a partial recovery phrase — we’re here to help. Our engineers have extensive experience recovering cryptocurrency wallets from all types of storage devices. We support all of our services with a no data, no charge guarantee: If we can’t find the files you need, there’s no charge for the attempt.

Contact Datarecovery.com at 1-800-237-4200 for a free evaluation or submit a case online.