Bitcoin begginers guide - How to run bitcoin nodes in Windows (a basic approach)

1. Download the bitcoin node software and install the software but don't run it.
   https://bitcoincore.org/en/download/
2. Create the data directory:
   . Go to Start -> Run (or press WinKey+R) and run this:

    %APPDATA%
   

   . Crate a folder named Bitcoin.
   . Create two folders one named mainnet and the other testnet inside the Bitcoin folder.
3. Create bitcoin.conf for mainnet:
   In the folder %APPDATA%\Bitcoin\mainnet create a bitcoin.conf using a text editor like https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/ it is crucial that the file is a text file. Add the following lines to the file.

    # Reduce storage requirements by pruning (deleting) old blocks. This mode is incompatible with -txindex and -rescan. 
    # Warning: Reverting this setting requires re-downloading the entire blockchain. 
    # (default: 0 = disable pruning blocks, >550 = target size in MiB to use for block files)
    prune=1200
   

4. Create bitcoin.conf for testnet:
   In the folder %APPDATA%\Bitcoin\testnet create a bitcoin.conf using a text editor like https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/ it is crucial that the file is a text file. Add the following lines to the file.

    # [network]
    # Network-related settings:
    chain=test
   

5. After installing the software, you will should have a desktop icon for the application. If don't go to start menu and create it. Then copy and paste that icon, so you have two on desktop. One for each network:
   Edit one icon and rename it to bitcoin mainnet and in properties change the target to this

    "C:\Program Files (x86)\Bitcoin\bitcoin-qt.exe" -datadir=%APPDATA%\Bitcoin\mainnet -conf=%APPDATA%\Bitcoin\mainnet\bitcoin.conf
   
    Or if you get an error of target box not valid:
   
    "C:\Program Files\Bitcoin\bitcoin-qt.exe" -datadir=%APPDATA%\Bitcoin\mainnet -conf=%APPDATA%\Bitcoin\mainnet\bitcoin.conf		
   

   Edit the other icon and rename it to bitcoin testnet and in properties change the target to this

    "C:\Program Files (x86)\Bitcoin\bitcoin-qt.exe" -datadir=%APPDATA%\Bitcoin\testnet -conf=%APPDATA%\Bitcoin\testnet\bitcoin.conf
   
    Or if you get an error of target box not valid:
   
    "C:\Program Files\Bitcoin\bitcoin-qt.exe" -datadir=%APPDATA%\Bitcoin\testnet -conf=%APPDATA%\Bitcoin\testnet\bitcoin.conf
   

6. You are good to go!! Get bitcoin testnet in provided faucets.