The Minecraft Launcher is the game downloader and launcher for Minecraft: Java Edition and one of the game downloaders and launchers for Minecraft for Windows (Bedrock Edition) and Minecraft Dungeons. It's available for Windows, macOS, Linux. Minecraft for Windows is only compatible with Windows 10/11. Minecraft Dungeons is only compatible with Windows 7+.
Contents
1 Features 2 Minecraft: Java Edition Installations 2.2 Backward Compatibility 2.3 Skins
4.1 Play 4.2 DLC 4.3 FAQ 4.4 Installation 4.5 Patch Notes
9.1 Minecraft: Java Edition 9.2 Backgrounds 9.3 Version history 9.4 2013-16 9.5 2016-19
Features[]
The initial login screen requires users to log in with a Microsoft account. Users can also create a new account by clicking the link. You can log in with a different Microsoft account by clicking the link. If a user attempts login with a Mojang Studios account or legacy Minecraft account they will be directed towards migrating to a Microsoft account.
On the left side, a "News" tab, a tab for each game, and the Minecraft Launcher "Settings" tab can be seen.
The Minecraft Launcher's top right corner displays the user's Xbox Gamertag for the current account. This might differ from their Minecraft Java Edition username.[2]. By clicking on it, users can manage or log out of their active account, and see a "Help" page with various links to helpful resources.
The main "Play” section allows you to download (if required) and launch Minecraft: Java Edition by clicking the "Play” button. There is also an installation selection on left (which sorts Java Edition installations by last played), your Java Edition username and a list of the most recent news about Minecraft.net below.
- One can launch multiple instances of the game by pressing the "Play" button whilst the game is running. The game can be launched offline if the device doesn't have an internet connection. This is only possible if the game was downloaded initially. If the user has not registered for an account to purchase the game, the "Play” button becomes a "Play demo", which downloads and launches the demo copy of the game. There is also a "Patch notes" section where the patch notes of the game's update can be seen, including the snapshots (if enabled).
Installations[]
Create a new installation.
Custom installations can be created or edited in the "Installations” area. You can sort and search for installations. There are also checkboxes that allow you to install "Releases", Snapshots, and Modded versions of the game. Installations are stored in launcher_profiles.json (or launcher_profiles_microsoft_store.json when using the new Minecraft Launcher for Windows) in the game's directory (.minecraft).
Installations are created for the "Latest update" and the "Latest snap" (if they are enabled), which cannot be altered. You can create a new install by clicking the "New instal" button. An existing installation can be edited simply by clicking on it. You will find a button called "Play" that launches the chosen installation. There is also a folder icon that takes you to the game directory. You can edit, duplicate, and delete an installation by clicking the ellipses button.
You can modify the following options on the create/edit installation page:
- Icon, by selecting one of the default ones or adding a custom one. The custom icons must be a.png and 128x128 pixels. - Name, which is defaultly called "". - Version, which includes access to older releases and snapshots (if enabled). - Game directory is the location where the game files are stored, default being.minecraft. The location can either be entered or selected using "Browse". - Resolution. This will change the game's size. You can choose from a variety of resolutions or create your own. - Java executable defaults to the bundled Java runtime. - JVM arguments like heap size. It was possible to manually set a log configuration in the past (see Debugging on Wiki.vg for more information), but this does not seem to be possible anymore. [3]
You can also download a specific game version's server. To do this, select the version from the list and click the "Server" button.
Backward compatibility[]
Selecting older versions in the create new installation screen.
The Minecraft Launcher has the ability to play most older releases of the game (and older snapshots, if enabled) by default, but also some older versions prior to Release 1.0. To view these versions in your installations section, you must enable "Show historic versions of Java Edition" under the Minecraft Launcher Settings tab. These versions may have bugs and errors that are not in the newer versions. They are also unsupported as they are out of date and no longer supported. To avoid save corruption, it is recommended to run the older versions in a separate directory. [4]
Once historical versions have been enabled, you can access the following:
- Most beta versions. - Most beta versions. - One infdev version. - Four versions of the classic version. - Five versions pre-classic. [5]
Some of the issues with older versions include:
- Some sounds can be wrong. Doors, bows, and explosives all use sounds from RC1, even versions before it. The sounds are not working in Alpha 1.1.2_01 versions. Skins are missing in versions prior to 1.7, as earlier versions used a different skin server, which has since been shut down. Capes may still work however. [needs testing] - In Alpha 1.0.15 and from Alpha 1.2.0 to Alpha 1.2.6, the Minecraft Launcher does not set the player's name properly, resulting in everyone using default names: "Player" followed by a random 3-digit number. Multiplayer is now difficult because players' inventory and locations are reset every time they launch their client.
- In Alpha 1.2.5 and Alpha 1.2.6 specifically, players are always named "Player524". Multiplayer is impossible in these versions, as you can't join the same server and play with other players with the exact same name.
- As a side effect of the above, and as a result of old authentication servers being shut down, online mode no longer works in versions before Beta 1.8.
Skins[]
The skins section
The "Skins” section allows users to view and alter their in-game skin. By default, the skin is either Steve or Alex.
You can apply skin to the skin library by clicking "Use". You can edit, duplicate, and delete the skin by clicking on the ellipsis icon. The default Steve or Alex skins are found in the library. However, they can be duplicated and applied, but not deleted.
This section is accessible even if you do not wish to purchase the game. A button redirects you to the Minecraft Java Edition store page.
Minecraft for Windows[]
The main "Play” section lets the user download (if necessary), and launch Minecraft for Windows, Bedrock Edition, with the "Play” button. Also, it includes the user's Xbox Gamertag to the right and a list of the most recent news for Minecraft.net below.
- If the device is not connected to the internet, the game can be run in offline mode, but only if the game has been initially downloaded. Unsupported devices are notified with a link to a website for those devices. If the user doesn't have an account that purchased the title, the "Play" button becomes a "Play demo" button. This allows the user to download and launch the demo copy of the game from the Microsoft Store.
There are sections for FAQs and Minecraft for Windows (Bedrock Edition) and Installation. You can also repair or uninstall the game from the "Installation" section. The patch notes section contains information about the latest patches.
Minecraft Dungeons[]
There are five tabs on the Minecraft Dungeons Page: Play, FAQ, Installation, Patch notes, and DLC. (On an unsupported platform, only Play, DLC and Patch notes are displayed.
Play[]
The default view of Minecraft Dungeons in the Minecraft Launcher.
minecraft servers
The main "Play” section allows the user (if needed), to download and launch the latest Minecraft Dungeons. Click the "Play" button to access images and a list below of the latest news articles on minecraft.net. This section also includes a notice that the game is available separately from the Microsoft Store. If the player is not playing on the supported platform, a small message on the bottom is shown that displays: Where is the play button?! Minecraft Dungeons doesn't exist on (platform).
DLC[]
The DLC tab is located on the Minecraft Dungeons page of the Minecraft Launcher.
A search bar and filter options allow you to narrow down your search results when searching DLCs. You can check the box to display the bundle and/or the DLCs.
Each DLC can be seen in a card structure, with the DLC info at the top and a cover photo at the bottom. There is also a slideshow on the bottom of the card.
FAQ[]
The FAQ tab of Minecraft Dungeons on Minecraft Minecraft Launcher.
Pressing the FAQ tab will display the FAQ section. You will find a list with troubleshooting tips and a link to Minecraft Dungeons FAQ at the Minecraft Help Centre.
Installation[]
This section can be accessed without the purchase of Minecraft Dungeons. If the game was purchased, it displays an uninstall and repair button.
Patch Notes[]
This section includes cards of the patch note cards.
Each card contains an image on top and the text below stating the name of the patch notes. When clicked, this displays the patch notes.
Settings[]
The "About" section in the Minecraft Launcher settings.
Users can:
- Change the Minecraft Launcher language. There are 66 languages available. 2 joke languages are also available (as of February 2002). Use the beta version to download Minecraft Launcher. Launcher must be restarted to allow the download to begin, if one is not already available. - Keep the Minecraft Launcher open while games are running. - Enable animations in the Minecraft Launcher, which are disabled by default to avoid potential motion sickness for some users. - Disable hardware acceleration. Options only for Minecraft Java Edition
- Open the output log after the game starts. - Option to automatically send the game's crash reports to Mojang Studios. - You can view historical versions of this game (versions that were released before Release 1.0) by using the version selector located in the Installations Section. In the "Accounts" section, users can add, switch, manage, or remove their Microsoft accounts.
The "About" section contains details about the Minecraft Launcher including its version, credits, and third-party licenses, as well as a list of patch notes by clicking the "What's New?" button.
Command line usage[]
The Minecraft Launcher can be invoked using the command line by typing %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Minecraft Launcher\MinecraftLauncher.exe in Windows or minecraft-launcher in either Mac or Linux.
The Help Message when using MinecraftLauncher.exe --help
As of version 2.2.25xx, the Minecraft Launcher has these command-line options available for Minecraft: Java Edition:
--demo: This launches the demo version, just as if the game isn't purchased yet. -h., --help: This option displays a help text on how to execute it in the command-line. --clean – This option deletes all folders in the working directory, including the contents, for "game" and 'runtime". --launcherui – This option presents the login screen. -w. --workDir – This option, which is followed by a relative or absolute path, changes the location (and/or names) of the.minecraft folder. - Can be used to create a portable installation of the game. For example, you could use --workDir or --workDir=. can be used to make the Minecraft Launcher use the current directory (no matter what the current folder is called).
Uninstall the old Minecraft Unified Launcher[].
Source: "Uninstalling The Old Minecraft Unified Launcher” - Minecraft Help Center
This applies only for players running Windows 10 or higher. Older versions of Windows are not able to use the new Minecraft Launcher for Windows. To remove any confusion between the launchers, you can install the new launcher and uninstall the old one. For clarity, the new launcher is referred to as the "Minecraft Launcher for Windows" and the old launcher as the "Minecraft Unified Launcher".
How to uninstall Minecraft Unified Launcher?
1. Click the Start menu in Windows (windows symbol in the lower left). 2. Click the top entry, and type in "Add or Remove programs". 3. Search for "Minecraft Launcher". The launcher to uninstall displays Mojang underneath the title "Minecraft Launcher". 4. Click the three dots shown to the left of the "Minecraft Launcher" title and select "Uninstall".
You should only install one launcher. Run the Minecraft Launcher for Windows to ensure it still works; if it doesn't, reinstall using the Microsoft Store.
Launcher or game mods may need to be migrated or re-installed to the new Minecraft Launcher for Windows installation location before uninstalling the old launcher. Talk to the mod developer for further information.
History[]
Gallery[]
Minecraft Launcher app icon
Minecraft Launcher Microsoft Store square key art
Minecraft Launcher Microsoft Store vertical key art
Minecraft Launcher Microsoft Store horizontal key art
The initial login screen
The News tab
The Minecraft: Java Edition tab
The Minecraft Dungeons tab
The "About" section in the launcher settings.
Close-up of the Technoblade's crown.
Minecraft: Java Edition[]
The default installations section (with snapshots enabled).
Editing an installation.
Add new skin.
A game crash
A warning about running another copy of the game if it is already running.
A warning about using an older version of the player safety features
A skin for Alex that has been removed. This used to be the default Alex skin on the Skins Tab. This would give the player the default skin instead.
A texture recreation of the Alex skin.
Backgrounds[]
Background for the initial login screen.
Background for Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.
Background for Minecraft Dungeons.
Version history[]
The first Minecraft Launcher
Image of the second launcher in-development, from Notch’s blog.
The second Minecraft Launcher. You can still see the old Minecraft logo.
The third Minecraft Launcher
The fourth Minecraft Launcher, version 1.0.
The fifth Minecraft Launcher, version 1.6.
The last update to the Legacy Minecraft Launcher, version 1.6.93.
The sixth Minecraft Launcher, version 2.0.
The sixth Minecraft Launcher, version 2.0 - login menu.
The seventh Minecraft Launcher, version 2.1.
The seventh Minecraft Launcher, version 2.1 - login menu.
2013-16[]
After the Launcher starts, click on the Launcher Log tab
The tab for the Local Version Editor (NYI), has been replaced by Time Machine.
Error message that is displayed if a development launcher is outdated
If an old launcher has been opened after using the 9.0 Launcher, an error message will be displayed
2016-19[]
Profile icons selection from the launcher.
Launcher in offline mode
The Help page
Game crash
Launcher warning about starting another Minecraft copy if it is running.
Older skin options.
Selecting an older version.
The shrug emoji that sometimes appeared at the top left corner.
Trivia[]
- Version 2.2.2529 release note contains text that reads: Tmwa Shi /JJ Se shimwa RiJ shi Mwa. Despite the fact that they are not identical, both Alpha and Classic Minecraft: Java Edition are listed under "old_alpha". [13] - The Minecraft Launcher doesn't store passwords locally. Instead, it uses a "refresh token". - The current Minecraft Launcher is the eighth launcher for Minecraft: Java Edition, and the third that was built to automatically update itself. Mojang Studios receives reports of game crashes through Hopper. - The legacy Minecraft Launcher can be downloaded here (version 1.6.93, ~4.6MB as opposed to the modern launcher's ~85MB). However, the legacy Minecraft Launcher is incompatible with Microsoft accounts and was discontinued in Q2 2021 due to account migration. - In version 2.3.240, the pig on the Minecraft Launcher screen was given a crown in light of popular Minecraft YouTuber Technoblade passing away due to cancer.
References[]
" We're expanding our Minecraft Launcher team! We have lots of exciting plans, and we are looking for a senior C++ programmer to help us realize them. Are you aware of someone who might be interested? Send them our way! - @Dinnerbone (Nathan Adams) on Twitter, September 6, 2018 | https://help.minecraft.net/hc/articles/360052640612 | MCL-17489 | "Changing game versions" - Minecraft Help Center. "Welcome to the new Minecraft Launcher" - MCUpdate, February 21, 2011, Tumblr - Mojang.com, March 1, 2012