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

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

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-06T13:28:41.423Z
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!
user44839
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-06T14:03:18.373Z
Not sure, sorry. It should at the latest trigger with the next block discovered though.
Murch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-06T13:23:01.837Z
2017-01-06T13:34:36.680Z
2017-01-06T13:34:36.680Z
Murch
<p>The problem is right there in your screenshot. You have not actually created the <code>bitcoin.conf</code>. 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 <code>bitcoin.conf.txt</code> to <code>bitcoin.conf</code>. Now you have a CONF file.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-29T05:35:28.050Z
2017-11-29T05:35:28.050Z
Guest
<p>First I close Bitcoin Core...</p>

<p>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 <code>bitcoin.conf</code> and then I write inside <code>prune=2000</code> or I even tried <code>prune=&lt;2000&gt;</code>.</p>

<p>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 <code>C:\Users\&lt;user name&gt;\AppData\Roaming\Bitcoin</code></p>

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

<p>What I am doing wrong? Please help me, I can't understand!</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ogCOy.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ogCOy.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-06T11:55:17.787Z
Where 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
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-06T12:19:07.447Z
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!
user44839
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-06T13:32:23.717Z
related: [How can I run bitcoind in pruning mode?](http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/37496/5406)
Murch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-06T13:36:18.037Z
@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
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-07T17:02:17.090Z
Generally is there anyone that succesfully pruned with Bitcoin Core??? So he can tell us the procedure step by step... Please...
user44839
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-08T10:29:00.150Z
Pruning 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
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-08T14:44:11.673Z
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?
user44839
<bitcoin-core><pruning>
I have Bitcoin Core 0.13.1 (64-bit) and I can't get prune to work
user44839
# I have Bitcoin Core 0.13.1 (64-bit) and I can't get prune to work

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-01-06)

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\\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!

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ogCOy.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ogCOy.jpg)

**Tags:** bitcoin-core, pruning

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Where 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`.  
> **username_0**: 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!  
> **username_2**: related: [How can I run bitcoind in pruning mode?](http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/37496/5406)  
> **username_2**: @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.)  
> **username_0**: Generally is there anyone that succesfully pruned with Bitcoin Core??? So he can tell us the procedure step by step... Please...  
> **username_1**: Pruning 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.  
> **username_0**: 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?  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-01-06. Score: 1

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?

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: 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!  
> **username_2**: Not sure, sorry. It should at the latest trigger with the next block discovered though.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-11-29. Score: 1

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.


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