There is no option to import wallet.dat.
I want to back up my wallet to pen drive and keep it in secure place.
Uninstall software
Import it in January (or later)
Will my coins keep staking eventhough I no longer have software installed and wallet.dat is not stored on my computer?
I don't think I understand the issue. I saved my wallet.dat to a USB just fine. The option to back up the wallet is in the same place as every every other QT - Click file and select 'Backup wallet'.
As long as your coins are in your wallet and the wallet is either unlocked or "encrypted + 'Unlocked for staking'" then your coins will stake...
Cool. I wanted to test it but I don't see an option to import wallet.
How would I import it on different computer?
On the other computer, just go here:
C:\Users\YOURNAME\AppData\Roaming\BitBay
...and replace the wallet.dat file with your backup .dat (rename it back to "wallet" if you saved it under a different name).
You will then have the original wallet's addresses and transaction data. You will also have to use the same password so remember it. If anything, you may need to re-sync with the blockchain to get current but that is understandable.
Scott-
All your personal information and balances etc reside in the wallet.dat file. You can download the wallet from anywhere and make it yours by taking your saved wallet.dat and overwriting the fresh one that is created upon installation. Just wanted to add, to you guys moving/backing up wallet.dat and encrypting your wallet, DO NOT forget your password! Once encryption has been added, there is no way to recover a lost password. Without it, your coins are lost forever, no mechanism exists to recover coins in an encrypted, password protected, wallet.
Always backup wallet.dat when installing wallet upgrades! An upgrade install should never overwrite an existing wallet.dat but, do you really want to take that chance? So, backup early, backup often!
And, as the previous posted stated, "C:\Users\YOURNAME\AppData\Roaming\" is the location of the data files for QT based wallets. Just add the coin name to that for each coin folder. This is where "wallet.dat" lives. The actual executable files and libraries reside in a different folder. It's location varies with the windows version.
So, like any other important data, backup on a regular basis, multiples are best especially as your stake increases in value. Do not depend solely on a "Thumb Drive" or other USB device! They are easily broken, lost, stolen or damaged in everyday life. Get a portable drive made for storing data and designed to be moved around and used as a backup drive such as a "Passport" or similar. Most offer password protection (prevents the casual criminal from getting your data) and they are small and light with multi-terabyte capacity under $200 USD.
Treat your crypto currency like gold and you will never have to say "I could have been rich..."