<p>In the original Satoshi wallet (BitcoinQt), your private keys are stored in the <code>wallet.dat</code> file. SO essentially, you may not lose either.</p>

<p>You private keys are the data that grant you access to your coins, so those are the ones you should keep safe at any time. Most wallet clients call the file they store your keys in your "wallet". Various wallet apps will save the file under a different name, but mostly you can export it using the app itself or find it in their data directory.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-07T21:15:39.483Z
2013-11-07T21:15:39.483Z
Steven Roose
<p>Simple question.  </p>

<p>I keep reading "don't lose your wallet", but which is the actual important part?  The .wallet file or the public/private key combo? Or is it both?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-07T21:40:07.010Z
The "wallet" is actually the container for your collection of key-pairs. You might want to read this related question: http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/13059/whats-the-difference-between-a-wallet-and-an-address
Murch
<wallet>
Which part of my wallet should I NOT lose? .wallet file or private/public key?
James P. Wright
# Which part of my wallet should I NOT lose? .wallet file or private/public key?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-11-07)

Simple question.

I keep reading "don't lose your wallet", but which is the actual important part? The .wallet file or the public/private key combo? Or is it both?

**Tags:** wallet

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The "wallet" is actually the container for your collection of key-pairs. You might want to read this related question: http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/13059/whats-the-difference-between-a-wallet-and-an-address  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2013-11-07. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

In the original Satoshi wallet (BitcoinQt), your private keys are stored in the `wallet.dat` file. SO essentially, you may not lose either.

You private keys are the data that grant you access to your coins, so those are the ones you should keep safe at any time. Most wallet clients call the file they store your keys in your "wallet". Various wallet apps will save the file under a different name, but mostly you can export it using the app itself or find it in their data directory.


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