In our latest podcast episode, we, along with CarCampIt, made the case that everyone who owns Bitcoin should run a full node to be a first-class Bitcoin citizen.  Running a node allows you to, among other things, fully validate any Bitcoin being sent to you by checking it against every other transaction that has ever been made.  This provides assurance that the person who is claiming to send you some Bitcoin actually controls the private keys.

But the bigger point we were trying to make is that running a full node can be very easy to do despite the uneasiness and paralysis that many seem to feel when they toss around the idea.  While there are many hardware arrangements that can run a full node with all sorts of bells and whistles, the simplest and easiest way to do it only requires a laptop and a few clicks of a mouse.

After releasing the episode, I wasn’t convinced that people would believe us.  So here is a walkthrough.  Anyone with minimal computer knowledge can do this very easily.

This walkthrough will be done on a Windows 10 computer (because that’s what I’m on right now).  Other operating systems are similar and should be self-explanatory, but I may add a Linux version at some point (since that provides better security than Mac or Windows).

Step 1: Download the Bitcoin Core software

Head over to the Bitcoin.org Bitcoin Core Download page and click the “Download Bitcoin Core” button.  Click “Save File” when the download window pops up.

Step 2: Install Bitcoin Core

When the download completes, click the .exe file.  You may have to navigate to the folder where you chose to save the file or where the browser defaults to saving files.

The Setup Wizard will open.

Click Next >.

Click Next > again.

Finally, click Install.

When the installation completes, click Next >.

If you would like to run Bitcoin Core right now, leave the “Run Bitcoin Core” box checked, and click Finish.

Step 3: Wait for your node to sync

They say that the waiting is the hardest part; it’s time to do exactly that.  Your node now has to download the entire history of the blockchain, which is several hundred gigabytes of data.  So be patient and let it run.  Any other wallets running on your computer should be able to find your local node and connect to it.

Congratulations!  You’re now running a Bitcoin full node!

Keep reading for some additional tips and options on running a full node.

Options and Tips

• Hardware choices
  • The write speed of your hard drive will have a huge impact on how quickly you can sync the blockchain.  A solid state drive (SSD) will sync your node in two to three days (pictured above).  A hard disk drive (HDD) will require more time (probably about two weeks).
  • Since Bitcoin Core doesn’t require much processing power, especially once it’s synced, you can use an old computer.  It’s a good idea to wipe it clean with a fresh install of your operating system.
• Useful settings: Go to Settings > Options.
  • Start Bitcoin Core on system login
    • This starts your node automatically when you log into your computer.
      • Under the “Window” tab, you can set the window to minimize to your tray instead of the taskbar to keep your screen uncluttered.
  • Prune block storage
    • This allows you to set the amount of the latest blockchain data that your node keeps in storage.  You must still fully sync the chain, so you still get the same security even if you prune.
    • This setting is very useful for computers with limited storage space.  Setting pruning to 2 GB should be fine.
    • Make the decision to prune early on!  Changing this setting will require you to resync the blockchain.

• Encrypt your wallet
  • If you plan to use your node as your wallet, it’s a good idea to encrypt it.
  • This can be found under Settings > Encrypt Wallet….
• Don’t ever stop learning
  • If you’re still new to Bitcoin and want to start down the rabbit hole, go to 10HoursOfBitcoin.com.
  • Understand the security risks associated with each decision you make.  Increasing security often includes more work and more difficulty.  This walkthrough is meant show how to run a full node and not how to properly secure your Bitcoin. It’s also better to run this on Linux (Ubuntu).
  • Go to mcfloogle.com/bitcoin and bitcoin-only.com for more learning materials.