In this article, I will show you how easy it is to create your own Monero wallet (XMR) under Windows. Creating a Monero wallet takes about 15 minutes. After that, you will have your own Monero wallet and therefore your own Monero deposit and withdrawal address. You will be able to send and receive Monero.

Requirements for the secure creation
of your own Monero wallet

1. The original Monero wallet installation file
   Download: Windows 64-bit (installer) via Getmonero.org. Do not install after downloading!. Always download all crypto wallets from the publisher's website. This is the only way to ensure the highest level of security.
2. Something to write
   Prepare something to write or start your password manager (e.g. KeePassXC). When you create the wallet, a private key (seed) is generated. You will need to write down this key later.

Let's get started - Install XMR/Monero wallet
on Windows

1. Download and integrity check (1v8)

First you have to download the wallet file (installer). The file must be accepted in the browser (Enge) by clicking Keep.

Next, you need to check whether the file you have downloaded really has integrity. In other words, whether this file is actually the original Menero wallet from the issuer. You do this with a checksum check. You can find detailed information about checksums here: Checksum check

Now carry out a checksum check via the command prompt (cmd/Powershell) for the downloaded installation file. The command looks like this.

$ Certutil.exe -hashfile .\monero-gui-install-win-x64-v0.18.3.4.exe sha256

The output is the hash value of the downloaded file.

$ SHA256 hash of .\monero-gui-install-win-x64-v0.18.3.4.exe:
$ 63349d5a7637cd0c5d1693a1a2e910a92cbb123903d57667077a36454845d7bf
$ CertUtil: -hashfile command completed successfully.

This hash must match the hash on the publisher's side. If this is the case, your file has integrity and is therefore safe.

2. Monero-Wallet installation (2v8)

Now you can start the installation of the Monero wallet by double-clicking it. In this example, the file to be executed is "monero-gui-install-win-x64-v0.18.3.4.exe".

The following warnings now appear under Windows. 1. "Windows protected your PC" and 2. "Do you want to allow this app from an unknown publisher to make changes to your device?".

These messages mean that Windows does not know this file and therefore has not signed it. This is understandable, as Monero is not a centralized company. To continue, click on "More info" and then on "Run anyway". You can then carry out the installation.

3. Monero-Wallet Virus warning / quarantine (3v8)

As of April 2024, Windows could move the Monero wallet into quarantine. This will prevent the Monero wallet from running. This does not mean that Monero is a Trojan or virus. If the checksum check was positive, then the files are OK. In this case, all individual Monero wallet files must be.

The Monero icon should now appear on your desktop. Your Monero wallet is now installed. You can now start the Monero wallet using the icon.

4. Monero-Wallet Choose language (4v8)

The default language is English. If you want to select a different language, you can do so here (1). Then click "Next" (2).

5. Monero-Wallet Select mode (5v8)

In this screen, select "Simple mode". Then check the box "I understand the privacy implications of using a third-party server." and press "Next".

6. Monero-Wallet create (6v8)

Now go to "Create new wallet". You can then give the new wallet a name. The wallet name is only valid for orientation within this installation. The name is not stored on the Monero blockchain.

7. Monero-Wallet Seed, the key! (7v8)

Now comes the most important part of Monero wallet creation, the seed!

Important! Important! Important! Write down this seed (mnemonic seed), i.e. the 25 words, and store this seed in a very safe place. The seed is the only key to being able to restore your own wallet.

If you lose this seed, you will lose access to your coins forever! Anyone who has this seed has full access to the coins! Make sure that no one else has this seed!

This means that you now have to write down the seed. Once you have done that, click on "Next". Then you have to complete the seed. When you complete it, the program checks whether you have really written down the seed.

Also note the "Creation date" and the "Restore height". This will speed up the recovery of the wallet.

Then press "Next".

8. Monero-Wallet Completion and login (8v8)

Now you have to give the wallet a secure password and then check the files. You should of course also write down the password. The password is required to log in to this wallet installation. No password is required to restore the wallet. If everything is OK, then press "create wallet".

You will automatically be taken to the wallet login. Then enter the password and you will be in your Monero wallet.

Done! You now have your own Monero wallet. The entire process in one animation:

9. Addition: Your Monero deposit address

Under the item "Receive" (1) you will find your own Monero address (deposit address). This is comparable to an IBAN. This means that you can give this address to anyone who wants to transfer Monero to you. To copy, simply click on the "Clipboard" symbol (2) or on the address (3).

10. Bonus: An advantage of Monero over Bitcoin

Monero offers an invaluable advantage: the impossibility of determining the number of coins via an address. This unique feature ensures complete privacy for transactions and protects the financial integrity of users at the highest level.