Nanominer is a mining program from Nanopool for people who want to mine cryptocurrency on Windows using graphics cards or a processor. It suits miners who already have a pool account and are comfortable working with a text configuration file, and it handles several popular algorithms in one tool. The program is free to download and use, but it takes a developer fee from the mined output.
Nanominer is open source, with its code published on GitHub, and the current release is v3.10.0. The last code update was made on March 13, 2025, which makes the project worth considering today, though you should review the release notes before each setup. This page covers what the program supports, how to install and configure it, and how it compares with other miners.
What Is Nanominer and Who Is It For?
Nanominer is a mining client built by Nanopool, the mining pool operator behind it. A mining client performs the computational work that secures a blockchain and sends results to a pool, which then divides rewards among participants according to the effort they contribute. Because the program is tied to a pool operator, it fits naturally with pools that accept the same algorithms and network settings.
The program suits a few groups. Home miners with a gaming PC and one or more graphics cards can use it to put spare computing power to work. Rig operators running several machines benefit from a single tool that handles NVIDIA, AMD and Intel hardware. Students and hobbyists who want to understand how mining works will also find it useful, because the configuration file makes the settings visible and easy to study.
How GPU Mining Works and Why Algorithms Matter
Mining software measures its progress in hashrate, the number of hash calculations a device performs per second. A higher hashrate generally means more work submitted to a pool, but the number means little without context, because each algorithm has its own performance profile. A card that performs well on one algorithm may be average on another.
This is why algorithm support matters. Ethash and Etchash are associated with older proof-of-work designs, while RandomX is built to favor general-purpose processors. KawPow and Autolykos target graphics cards in different ways. A miner that supports several algorithms lets you compare results across coins without changing software, though you still need to check which algorithm your chosen coin uses before starting.
Practical Scenarios for Mining on a Windows PC
Consider a gaming desktop with a single NVIDIA card that runs overnight. The owner can configure a conservative profile, start the miner, and check the hashrate each morning. The main goal in this case is learning how the software behaves rather than maximizing output, and a lower-power configuration usually makes that easier to observe.
Another scenario is an older desktop with a modern processor. Because RandomX is one of the supported algorithms, CPU mining is an option, although results will depend heavily on the processor and the pool. A third scenario is a mixed rig that combines NVIDIA cards with an Intel Arc graphics card. Here, one configuration approach covers both vendors, which saves time compared with maintaining separate tools.
Key features
Multi-Algorithm Support
Support for Several Hardware Types
Configuration-Driven Control
Windows and Linux Builds
Supported coins
The program's documentation mentions Ethereum (ETH), Monero (XMR), Ravencoin (RVN), Ergo (ERG), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Firo, Verus and Vertcoin. Each coin is tied to one or more of the supported algorithms, so check the coin's algorithm before setting up a configuration. Coin availability can also depend on the pool you use.
How to install Nanominer on Windows
- 1
Download the Windows Version
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page. Choose the Windows build of the latest release, and avoid mirror sites or files shared in chats and forums, since those are common sources of modified programs.
- 2
Verify the File
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded archive with the value published with the release. If a signature is provided instead, verify it as well. If the values do not match, delete the file and download it again from the official source.
- 3
Extract to a Dedicated Folder
Unpack the archive into its own folder, such as a location on a drive you control. Keeping the miner in one place makes it easier to manage its configuration file and logs, and simplifies adding a narrow antivirus exclusion later if one becomes necessary.
-
Prepare Drivers and Configuration
Install a current NVIDIA driver, version 411.31 or newer on Windows, before running the miner with NVIDIA cards. Then create a configuration file with your wallet and pool details so the miner has the information it needs on first launch.
System requirements
- NVIDIA driver 411.31 or newer on Windows for NVIDIA GPUs
- Graphics hardware from NVIDIA (CUDA), AMD (OpenCL) or Intel Arc, or a CPU for CPU mining
How to use Nanominer
Setting up Nanominer is mostly about getting the configuration right before you start the miner.
- Create or open a wallet address for the coin you plan to mine, and confirm that your chosen pool supports it.
- Open the configuration file in a plain text editor and enter your wallet and pool details.
- If the pool requires registration and a rig password, add the rig or worker password to the configuration.
- Give each machine a worker name so you can tell rigs apart in the pool dashboard.
- Start the miner from its folder and watch the first few minutes of output for errors.
- Confirm that the hashrate appears and stays steady. If the miner runs stably, raise your settings gradually; if it does not, lower them.
- Keep a copy of your working configuration so you can restore it after a restart or update.
It is recommended to begin from lower values and increase them only if the miner works stably, because aggressive settings can cause crashes on some hardware. The minimum configuration file for Ethereum Classic can contain only a wallet, which makes it a practical starting point for testing your setup.
Pros & cons
- Supports several popular algorithms in one program
- Works with NVIDIA, AMD, Intel Arc and CPU hardware
- Free to download and use, with a developer fee instead of a purchase price
- Open source, with code published on GitHub
- Official Windows version available
- Takes a developer fee from mined output
- Setup depends on editing a text configuration file, which can be intimidating for beginners
- NVIDIA cards require a driver of version 411.31 or newer on Windows
- Stable settings must be found through testing, which takes time
Is Nanominer safe?
Nanominer is open source, so start with its official code and releases on GitHub. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and never from mirror sites or links shared in chats. After downloading, compare the SHA-256 checksum or signature with the value published by the developer; a mismatch means the file should be discarded. Mining software is often flagged by antivirus tools, sometimes as a false positive. If that happens, verify the file's hash first and, if needed, add an exclusion for the specific miner folder rather than turning protection off. Mining tools never need your seed phrase, so never enter one on a third-party website. The last code update was made on March 13, 2025, so check the latest version on the official website before installing.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/nanopool/nanominer. 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
Nanominer sits among many GPU and CPU miners. lolMiner also covers NVIDIA, AMD and Intel hardware in one tool, so it is the closest comparison on vendor support. GMiner is another GPU miner, and Rigel is built around NVIDIA cards. BzMiner is a GPU option worth testing if you want a different algorithm list. For processor-only mining, cpuminer-multi offers a narrower focus. T-Rex Miner and NBMiner are listed as no longer in development, which matters when you weigh long-term support. Nanominer's advantages are its multi-algorithm coverage across vendors and its recent code updates; its tradeoffs are the developer fee and a configuration-driven workflow.
Specifications
- Price
- Free (developer fee)
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v3.10.0
- Last update
- 13 Mar 2025
- Windows support
- Yes (official Windows version)
- Source code
- github.com/nanopool/nanominer
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Nanominer is free to download and use. The program charges a developer fee taken from mined output rather than requiring a purchase price. Because the fee reduces what you keep from each block reward, factor it into any comparison with other miners before you choose one for a long-term setup.
Nanominer can be safe when you get it from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature. Antivirus tools may flag mining software, so check the file's hash before making any exclusions. Never enter a seed phrase on a third-party website, since mining software does not require one.
The program's documentation mentions Ethereum, Monero, Ravencoin, Ergo, Ethereum Classic, Firo, Verus and Vertcoin. Each coin uses a specific algorithm, so confirm that the coin you want is supported by the algorithm and by your pool before you configure the miner. Pool availability can vary by coin.
Yes, Nanominer supports AMD graphics cards through OpenCL and Intel Arc graphics. It also supports NVIDIA cards through CUDA and CPU mining. Results vary by hardware and algorithm, so test a single card with conservative settings first and compare the hashrate before running a full rig.
If you mine with NVIDIA graphics cards on Windows, you need a driver version 411.31 or newer. Older drivers may not work correctly with the program. Update the driver before creating your configuration file, and restart the computer after installation so the miner can detect the card properly.
Antivirus software often flags mining programs because they use significant processing power and resemble some malicious tools. This is frequently a false positive. Verify the SHA-256 checksum first, then add a narrow exclusion for the miner folder if needed. Do not disable your protection entirely, because that exposes the whole computer to other threats.
The most recent release is v3.10.0, and the last code update was made on March 13, 2025. Check the GitHub Releases page or the official website for newer versions before installing, and review release notes if you are updating an existing setup, since configuration changes can occur between versions.
Verdict
Nanominer for Windows suits miners who want one program covering NVIDIA, AMD, Intel Arc and CPU hardware across several popular algorithms. It is best for people comfortable editing a configuration file and monitoring their own rigs over time. If you prefer a simpler workflow or want to avoid developer fees, compare the alternatives listed on this site first. Check the latest version on the official website before you install, and start with conservative settings.