Lonero Wallet 2.0 is a free, open-source desktop wallet for people who want to hold Monero (XMR) on Windows and are comfortable with hands-on, developer-style software. It is written in C/C++ and runs on your own computer, so your keys stay in your hands rather than with a hosted service. Its setup is closer to a technical tool than a consumer app, which suits readers who want to understand each step.
Before you rely on it, know the main caveat: the project has had no code updates since December 14, 2020, so it should be treated as unmaintained. That does not make it unusable, but security fixes and compatibility updates are unlikely to arrive. This page covers what the program does, how to install it carefully, and where newer options may suit you better. Read the safety section before you download anything.
What Is Lonero Wallet 2.0?
Lonero Wallet 2.0 is a desktop program for managing Monero (XMR). Instead of relying on an online account, it runs on your own Windows computer and keeps the data it needs locally. That local design is the main reason people choose wallets of this kind.
To understand the program, it helps to separate two ideas. A wallet holds the cryptographic keys that prove ownership of your coins, while the blockchain is the public ledger that records transactions. A wallet does not store coins in the everyday sense; it stores the keys that let you spend them. The node component connects the wallet to the network so it can read that ledger.
Monero's privacy design means many details of each transaction are not published openly, so the wallet's local role is central. Understanding this split between keys, ledger and node makes every later step in the setup easier to follow.
Who Lonero Wallet 2.0 Is For
This program suits a specific reader. The most natural user is someone who already holds Monero and wants a desktop wallet that runs locally rather than through a hosted service. Developers and students who want to read the source code of a C/C++ wallet and see how key handling, synchronization and password protection fit together are another useful audience.
Consider a practical example. A user keeps a small Monero balance and wants to understand the software before moving larger amounts. They install the program, watch the node synchronize, export the private key, store it offline, and only then set a password. Following each step deliberately turns the wallet into a learning exercise.
It is less suitable for people who want a polished consumer app with frequent updates, or for anyone who needs many coins in one place. Readers in those groups should compare the alternatives listed later on this page.
How Passwords and Private Keys Work Together
Two secrets control a local wallet: the private key and the password. The private key is the master credential for your Monero, and anyone who has it can access the funds linked to it. The password protects the wallet file on your disk, so someone with physical access to the computer cannot simply open the program and spend.
The order of operations matters. Exporting the private key before you create the password gives you a copy that does not depend on the password you are about to choose. If the local file is ever lost or damaged, a correctly stored key is what lets you restore access.
This is a general pattern across desktop wallets rather than a quirk of this program. Stored keys belong offline, such as on paper or an encrypted external drive, and never in an email, screenshot or cloud note. Treat the key like cash: whoever holds it controls the money.
Key features
Open-source codebase
Free to download and use
Windows build and installer
Node synchronization on launch
Supported coins
Monero (XMR) is the only coin associated with this program, so it works as a dedicated Monero wallet rather than a multi-currency one. If you hold other assets, you will need separate software for them. Networks you see listed in other wallets do not apply here.
How to install Lonero Wallet 2 0 on Windows
- 1
Get the official files
Download the program only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/lonero-team/lonero-wallet-2.0. Avoid mirrors, torrent sites and links shared in forums or chat groups, because copies of wallet software are a common way to distribute tampered files.
- 2
Verify the checksum or signature
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published alongside the download. In PowerShell, the Get-FileHash command calculates the SHA-256 value for a file. If no checksum or signature is available for the build you chose, do not run that file.
- 3
Choose the installer or a source build
The Windows installer is the simplest route for most readers. If you use the source code instead, the project's notes describe compiling it first, which requires a development toolchain that is not part of a standard Windows setup. Unless you are comfortable with that process, stick with the ready-made installer.
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Run the installer and launch
Run the installer, follow the prompts, and open the wallet. The node starts synchronizing as soon as the program opens, so keep the computer connected and let the process finish. Continue with the steps in the next section before you create a password.
How to use Lonero Wallet 2 0
Lonero Wallet 2.0 follows a simple sequence, but the order matters. Work through these steps on the computer where you plan to keep the wallet.
- Open the wallet and let the node start synchronizing. Keep the computer online and wait for the process to finish before you check any figures.
- Find the option to export your private key. Do this before you create a password, as the project recommends.
- Copy the key onto a secure medium, such as paper or an encrypted external drive, and store it away from the computer.
- Create a password for the wallet file. Choose one you can remember and that you do not use anywhere else.
- Close the program and reopen it to confirm the password works before you rely on the wallet for anything.
- Repeat the synchronization check whenever you open the program on a new machine, and confirm that your stored key still matches your records.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use
- Open source, so the code can be inspected
- Available as a Windows build or installer
- Focused on Monero (XMR) rather than many coins at once
- Lets you export the private key for offline backup
- No code updates since December 2020
- Only Monero (XMR) is associated with it, so it is not a multi-currency wallet
- Building from source is complicated for beginners
- Node synchronization on launch can take time before balances are reliable
Is Lonero Wallet 2 0 safe?
Download Lonero Wallet 2.0 only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and never from third-party download sites. Check the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running any file. If you build from source, review the code yourself or rely on someone you trust to do so.
The bigger concern is maintenance. The project has had no code updates since December 14, 2020, so vulnerabilities discovered after that date may remain unpatched. Avoid storing large balances in it, and never enter your private key or seed phrase on a website or in a chat, even one that claims to be support. Check the latest version on the official website before you install anything.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/lonero-team/lonero-wallet-2.0. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Lonero Wallet 2.0 is narrower than most options in this catalog. Monero GUI Wallet, described as an untraceable cryptocurrency wallet, is the closest like-for-like alternative for XMR holders. Cake Wallet and Stack Wallet are open-source multi-currency wallets, which suit people who want several networks in a single app. Coinomi and Atomic Wallet focus on large asset lists, and Exodus adds a built-in exchange. Choose a single-coin tool or a multi-asset app based on what you actually plan to hold.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- —
- Last update
- 14 Dec 2020
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/lonero-team/lonero-wallet-2.0
Frequently asked questions
It can be used with care, but the main concern is the project's status. The software is open source, so its code can be inspected, and it is available as a Windows build or installer. However, there have been no code updates since December 2020. Download only from official sources, verify the SHA-256 checksum, and never share your private key.
No. The project has had no code updates since December 14, 2020, so it should be treated as unmaintained. Existing copies may keep working, but you should not expect security patches or new Monero features. Compare it with more recently maintained wallets before you decide.
The wallet is associated with Monero (XMR) only. It is not a multi-currency wallet, so other assets need separate software. If you want several coins in one place, review the multi-currency options listed in this catalog and compare their networks directly.
Yes, the program is free to download and use, and its source code is published on GitHub. Free software still requires care. Confirm you are getting the official build, verify its checksum, and keep your private key backed up offline.
Export the private key before you create a password, then copy it onto paper or an encrypted external drive. Store that copy away from your computer. Never paste it into email, cloud notes or messaging apps, and never type it into a website.
The wallet must read the blockchain to determine which funds belong to you. When you open the program, the node starts synchronizing with the network. Wait for this to finish before relying on balances, because a partly synchronized wallet can show incomplete information.
Verdict
Lonero Wallet 2.0 is a free, open-source Windows option for people who want a dedicated Monero wallet and are willing to handle setup themselves. Its transparent code and local key handling appeal to developers and careful users. The lack of updates since December 2020 is decisive for most readers, though. If you want a wallet that is more recently maintained, consider one of the alternatives below, and reserve this program for study or small, carefully managed amounts.