<p>As Raghav already commented: </p>

<p>Yes, you can delete the <code>wallet.dat</code> file as long as you don't have any private keys in it. Once you restart Bitcoin Core it creates a new and <code>wallet.dat</code>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-07T09:21:37.367Z
as long as you don't have any private keys in it *with a non-zero balance which you don't have tested backups of*
RedGrittyBrick
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-07T07:53:16.687Z
2018-08-07T07:53:16.687Z
0xb10c
<p>I am registering some addresses as watch only addresses and I would like the ability to reset my wallet without having to sync again. Can I just delete my wallet.dat?</p>
<p>I use Bitcoin Core version 16.1.</p>
<p>This wallet does not handle any private keys with a non-zero balance.</p>
<p><strong>Warning: Deleting <code>wallet.dat</code> will make you lose your Bitcoins if your wallet has a non-zero balance!</strong></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-07T07:29:47.177Z
Yes, you can just delete the wallet.dat
Raghav Sood
<wallet><watch-only>
How to delete wallet without deleting blockchain
Thorkil Værge
# How to delete wallet without deleting blockchain

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-08-07)

I am registering some addresses as watch only addresses and I would like the ability to reset my wallet without having to sync again. Can I just delete my wallet.dat?

I use Bitcoin Core version 16.1.

This wallet does not handle any private keys with a non-zero balance.

**Warning: Deleting `wallet.dat` will make you lose your Bitcoins if your wallet has a non-zero balance!**

**Tags:** wallet, watch-only

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Yes, you can just delete the wallet.dat  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-08-07. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

As Raghav already commented:

Yes, you can delete the `wallet.dat` file as long as you don't have any private keys in it. Once you restart Bitcoin Core it creates a new and `wallet.dat`.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: as long as you don't have any private keys in it *with a non-zero balance which you don't have tested backups of*  

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