Looking for the best Monero (XMR) wallet for Windows 10?
This guide compares top desktop wallets, explains privacy trade-offs, and walks you through a clean install on Windows 10—plus tips to keep your coins safe.
Quick Picks (Windows 10)
- Maximum privacy & full control: Monero GUI (Official)
- Lightweight desktop (Tor/I2P support): Feather Wallet
- Power users & automation: Monero CLI
- Fast light wallet (privacy trade-off): MyMonero (uses a remote server to scan—see notes below)
Recommended: Monero GUI (Official) on Windows 10
The Monero GUI is the project’s official desktop wallet. It’s open source, supports hardware wallets (Ledger, Trezor), and can run in Simple Mode (connect to a remote node) or Advanced (run your own node).
- Best for: Users who value privacy/security and want a supported, feature-complete Windows wallet.
- Pros: Open source, active development, hardware wallet support, full node or remote node, built-in address book & subaddresses.
- Cons: Running a full node uses significant disk space (pruned mode still recommended if space is limited).
How to install the Monero GUI on Windows 10 (safe way)
- Download: Get the Windows build from getmonero.org only.
- Verify: Check the SHA256 hash and (ideally) the GPG signature. If you don’t have it, install Gpg4win and verify the .asc signature against the project’s signing keys.
- Install & first run: Launch the installer. If Windows Defender SmartScreen warns, confirm the publisher and file hash you verified, then proceed.
- Choose mode:
- Simple Mode: Quickest—connects to a remote node.
- Advanced: Run your own node for maximum privacy. Consider Pruned mode to reduce disk usage.
- Create wallet: Generate a new wallet and write down the 25-word seed offline. Save the
.keysfile backup to an encrypted USB. - Network & firewall: Allow the app through Windows Firewall when prompted. If running a node, port
18080(P2P) is typical; remote nodes usually use18081(RPC).
Tip: If your PC sleeps/hibernates, syncing pauses. Leave the wallet open while it catches up, or use a well-maintained remote node for quick starts.
Feather Wallet (Lightweight, Privacy-Focused)
Feather is a popular, open-source desktop wallet for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports Tor/I2P, offers coin control, and a slick interface.
- Best for: Users who want a fast, light desktop wallet with strong privacy features.
- Pros: Tor/I2P integration, subaddresses, coin control, portable builds available.
- Cons: Typically uses remote nodes by default—pick trusted nodes (or your own) for better privacy.
Monero CLI
The CLI wallet is the most flexible option. Ideal for advanced users, automation, cold-signing workflows, and servers. Pairs well with a dedicated Windows box or WSL environment.
What About MyMonero on Windows?
MyMonero provides a light desktop/web experience. Important trade-off: to show your balance and transactions without syncing a node locally, the wallet sends view-key data to a remote server to scan on your behalf. This is convenient but leaks metadata to that server operator. If privacy is your top priority, prefer the Monero GUI with your own node or Feather with a trusted/Tor node.
Running Your Own Node on Windows 10 (Optional but Private)
Operating your own node means your wallet doesn’t leak transaction-related metadata to third parties.
- Disk Space: Full node can exceed 150 GB. Pruned mode dramatically reduces this.
- Bandwidth: Expect ongoing network usage while syncing/serving peers.
- Privacy: Strongest option—your wallet talks only to your node.
Security Best Practices on Windows 10
- Download only from official links (above). Verify hashes and signatures.
- Back up your 25-word seed offline; never store it in screenshots or cloud notes.
- Encrypt backups and consider a dedicated, offline USB for wallet files.
- Use subaddresses to compartmentalize receive history.
- Consider Tor (Feather) or your own node (GUI/CLI) to minimize metadata leakage.
- Hardware wallets: Use Trezor or Ledger with the Monero GUI for cold signing.
Troubleshooting on Windows 10
- Stuck syncing: Check your internet, pause antivirus temporarily (if safe), or switch to a reliable remote node.
- “Daemon not running”: Start the node inside the GUI (Advanced) or ensure
monerod.exeisn’t blocked by the firewall. - Wrong balance after restore: Make sure you entered the correct restore height (or rescan from seed).
Download Links (Windows 10)
- Official Monero GUI: getmonero.org/downloads/#gui
- Monero CLI: getmonero.org/downloads/#cli
- Feather Wallet: featherwallet.org
- Zelcore: zelcore.io
- MyMonero (light): mymonero.com
- Gpg4win (signature verification): gpg4win.org
- Community wallet directory: monerica.com/wallets
Bottom Line
For Windows 10, the Monero GUI is the safest “all-around” choice—especially paired with your own (pruned) node. If you prefer a lighter install, Feather is excellent with Tor/I2P support. Multi-asset users may like Zelcore, while power users can’t beat the CLI. Whatever you pick, verify downloads, guard your seed, and favor your own or trusted nodes for the best privacy.
