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Windows Support

Bob cannot start on Windows

A db\LOCK error can occur when Bob's application-data path contains Cyrillic or other non-ASCII characters. Use these checks before changing any wallet files.

Recognize the error

Bob may be installed correctly but stop during startup with a message such as Couldn't Start, NotFound, or a path ending in db\LOCK. A common affected path looks like this: 

C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Bob LearnHNS\db\LOCK

If the Windows profile folder contains characters such as Cyrillic letters, Bob's current database layer may fail to create or open the file. This does not normally mean that a DLL or a separate Windows component is missing.

Confirmed workaround

  1. Use Windows 10 or Windows 11. Current Bob LearnHNS releases do not support Windows 7 or Windows 8.
  2. Create a new local Windows account whose name uses only Latin letters and numbers, such as BobUser.
  3. Sign in to the new account and confirm its profile folder is an ASCII-only path such as C:\Users\BobUser.
  4. Install the current Bob LearnHNS Windows MSI from the official download page and start Bob from that account.

Changing the display name is not enough

Renaming an existing Windows account may change the name shown on the sign-in screen without changing its real C:\Users\... profile folder. Check the folder path itself before reinstalling Bob.

Download Bob LearnHNS

Protect an existing wallet

If Bob has ever held HNS or Handshake names on this computer, preserve the existing app-data folders until the wallet is safely recovered and verified.

  • Do not delete the db, LOCK, Bob, or Bob LearnHNS folders as a first troubleshooting step.
  • Back up the seed phrase before migrating or restoring a wallet.
  • Enter the seed phrase only inside the official Bob application. Never send it to support, Telegram users, or anyone offering to repair the wallet.
  • A fresh Windows account uses a separate app-data folder. Restore with your seed inside Bob LearnHNS; do not copy or merge application-data folders.
Read the Bob migration guide

Report the Windows and Bob versions

A startup dialog usually does not show enough information to identify the exact Bob release. Send these non-secret details with a support report:

  1. Press Win+R, enter winver, and save a screenshot of the Windows version.
  2. Include the complete downloaded MSI filename, such as Bob.LearnHNS.2.3.9.msi.
  3. Check Settings → Apps or Control Panel → Programs and Features for the installed Bob version.
  4. Right-click the installed Bob executable, open Properties → Details, and report the product version if it is shown.
  5. Include the complete error text and a redacted screenshot. The Windows profile name may be hidden, but leave the folder structure and final filename visible.

Bob passwords, seed phrases, private keys, wallet backups, and API keys are never required for this diagnosis.