Bitcoin Core is free and open-source software that serves as a bitcoin node (the set of which form the Bitcoin network) and provides a bitcoin wallet which fully verifies payments. It is considered to be bitcoin's reference implementation. Initially, the software was published by Satoshi Nakamoto under the name "Bitcoin", and later renamed to "Bitcoin Core" to distinguish it from the network. It is also known as the Satoshi client. Bitcoin Core includes a transaction verification engine and connects to the bitcoin network as a full node. As of 2013, peer-reviewed measurements of the Bitcoin network's message propagation showed that new blocks reach 95% of nodes within about 40 seconds and a median delay of 12.6 seconds, underscoring the importance of efficient node software such as Bitcoin Core.
The software validates the entire blockchain, which includes all bitcoin transactions ever. This distributed ledger, which has reached more than 608.9 gigabytes (not including database indexes) in size as of October 2024, must be downloaded or synchronized before full participation of the client may occur. Bitcoin Core includes a scripting language inspired by Forth that can define transactions and specify parameters.
What is Bitcoin Core?
Bitcoin Core is an open-source finance & crypto program for Windows from Bitcoin Core project (developed by Satoshi Nakamoto). The first release dates back to 2009. It is written in C, C++, and Python. Besides Windows, it is available for Linux and macOS.
Installation and requirements
Official installers exist for 64-bit as EXE (NSIS). The main installer is 39.2 MB. Installation asks for administrator rights. The installer supports unattended (silent) installation.
Updates and version history
The current version is 31.1, released on July 7, 2026. 18 versions are listed since September 23, 2021, each with links to its own installer files. That is about 2.9 releases a year.
Popularity and file types
Wikipedia has an article about it in 9 of our languages. Similar programs include GnuCash, Electrum and Binance.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Also runs on Linux and macOS
- Mature project (since 2009)
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: Bitcoin Core is an open-source finance & crypto tool for 64-bit PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Screenshots
Is Bitcoin Core safe to download?
- The file is served by bitcoincore.org, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
D0C6D0F3CD08689472A6F53C4CE33A5F059C092758C32C42541B47DB4E193458· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 18 versions ›18 versions over 6 years · about 2.9 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31.1Latest | July 7, 2026 | 39.2 MB | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 31.0 | April 19, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 30.2 | January 10, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 30.1 | January 2, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 30.0 | October 11, 2025 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 29.2 | October 14, 2025 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 29.1 | September 4, 2025 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 29.0 | April 14, 2025 | — | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
Release cycle and support
Version 31.1 belongs to the 31 release line, still supported, with no end date announced.
| Release line | Released | Support ends | Latest version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | April 19, 2026 | not announced | 31.1 | Supported |
| 30 | October 10, 2025 | not announced | 30.3 | Supported |
| 29 | April 14, 2025 | not announced | 29.4 | Supported |
| 28 | October 2, 2024 | April 19, 2026 | 28.4 | End of life |
| 27 | April 16, 2024 | October 10, 2025 | 27.2 | End of life |
| 26 | December 6, 2023 | April 14, 2025 | 26.2 | End of life |
| 25 | May 18, 2023 | October 2, 2024 | 25.2 | End of life |
| 24 | November 24, 2022 | April 2, 2024 | 24.2 | End of life |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id BitcoinCoreProject.BitcoinCore -ebitcoin-31.1-win64-setup.exe /SRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Also for other systems
brew install --cask bitcoin-coreflatpak install flathub org.bitcoincore.bitcoin-qtInformation
- Publisher
- Bitcoin Core project
- Developer
- Satoshi Nakamoto and Gavin Andresen
- Category
- Finance & crypto
- Licence
- MIT License
- Price
- Free
- Written in
- C, C++, and Python
- Content rating
- All ages
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE (NSIS)
- Other platforms
- Linux, macOS
- Version
- 31.1
- Released
- July 7, 2026
- First release
- 2009
- Added to the catalogue
- September 23, 2021
- Versions listed
- 18
- Updates / year
- 2.9
- Website
- bitcoincore.org
- winget ID
- BitcoinCoreProject.BitcoinCore
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Bitcoin Core free?
Yes. Bitcoin Core is open-source software under the MIT License licence.
Is Bitcoin Core safe to download?
The download comes from bitcoincore.org, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Bitcoin Core with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can Bitcoin Core be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does Bitcoin Core run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of Bitcoin Core?
The versions page lists all 18 versions with links to their official installer files, back to September 23, 2021.
What are alternatives to Bitcoin Core?
GnuCash, Electrum, Binance, Bisq and Dogecoin Core. The alternatives page compares them.
