I have Bitcoin Core 0.13.1 (64-bit) and I can't get prune to work

First I close Bitcoin Core...

The size of Bitcoin Core it is 105GB and I want to do pruning so I can have only 2 GB. I make a notepad file named bitcoin.conf and then I write inside prune=2000 or I even tried prune=<2000>.

Then, I have put this file at the install directory or I created the folder Bitcoin and I have put the notepad file in there at the path C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Bitcoin

After all these I open the Bitcoin Core, but nothing happens, it still is 105 GB.

What I am doing wrong? Please help me, I can't understand!

Balema

Posted 2017-01-06T11:11:10.060

Reputation: 11

1Where did you place bitcoin.conf file? Can you check your debug.log (should be in the same directory)? Also -prune=2000 will not result in a 2GB datadir-size, more 4GB because the UTXO set and header-index will take up some space too. Lowest possible size is -prune=550. – Jonas Schnelli – 2017-01-06T11:55:17.787

I have uploaded a pic that you can see they are in the same folder and I have opened the notepad file I created to see what I have written inside. What am I doing wrong Jonas? Thx in advance! – Balema – 2017-01-06T12:19:07.447

– Murch – 2017-01-06T13:32:23.717

@JonasSchnelli: Do you know when the pruning would start? Would it be immediately after startup or only e.g. when the next block is added? (See comment on my answer for context.) – Murch – 2017-01-06T13:36:18.037

Generally is there anyone that succesfully pruned with Bitcoin Core??? So he can tell us the procedure step by step... Please... – Balema – 2017-01-07T17:02:17.090

1Pruning is simple, just add -prune=550 to your startup arguments. If you have already synced and verified the chain, it will immediately (at startup) prune the chain. – Jonas Schnelli – 2017-01-08T10:29:00.150

Thx Jonas for your answer!!! Yes I have already synced the chain, could you please explain me where are the startup arguments at Bitcoin Core? – Balema – 2017-01-08T14:44:11.673

Answers

If you put startup commands on the command line, you need to add a dash in the beginning (e.g. bitcoind -prune=2000).

However, when you put them in the bitcoin.conf, I think they have to be put without a dash (e.g. prune=2000). Yet, in the screenshot you show it has a dash. Have you tried putting it in the bitcoin.conf without the dash?

Murch

Posted 2017-01-06T11:11:10.060

Reputation: 41 609

Yes, I have tried it and without dash... What should be happening if the prune command works? I mean the 105GB would disappear instantly? I don't know what to do more so I can prune... if anyone can think something is welcomed! – Balema – 2017-01-06T13:28:41.423

Not sure, sorry. It should at the latest trigger with the next block discovered though. – Murch – 2017-01-06T14:03:18.373

The problem is right there in your screenshot. You have not actually created the bitcoin.conf. It should not be a text document. On a fresh Windows install the extensions of known file types are hidden by default. Go to Organize -> Folder and search options -> View -> Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types. Then rename bitcoin.conf.txt to bitcoin.conf. Now you have a CONF file.

Guest

Posted 2017-01-06T11:11:10.060

Reputation: 11