Installation and Initial Synchronization:

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Run the installer (Windows/macOS) or extract the archives (Linux).
When you launch Bitcoin Core for the first time, it will prompt you to choose a data directory. Select a drive with ample free space.
Bitcoin Core will then start the Initial Block Download (IBD). It connects to other nodes and begins downloading every block and transaction from the very beginning of Bitcoin's history (the Genesis Block in 2009).
During this process, your node isn't just downloading; it's also independently verifying every single transaction and block against Bitcoin's consensus rules. This thorough validation is gambling email list what makes your node "trustless" and provides you with the highest level of security and privacy when interacting with Bitcoin.
Pruning the Blockchain (Reduced Storage Option):
If you have limited disk space but still want the security benefits of validating transactions yourself, you can run a pruned node:

How it works: A pruned node still downloads and fully validates the entire blockchain from the beginning. However, after validation, it discards older block data, keeping only a configurable amount of the most recent blocks (e.g., you can set it to store as little as 5-20 GB).
Benefit: Significantly reduces the long-term disk space needed.