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
Features[]
On the initial login screen, users must log in with a pre-existing Microsoft account, otherwise they can create a new one 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 you will see a "News" tab and a tab for each of the Minecraft Launcher games.
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]. Users can click on it to log in or manage their active account. A "Help" page will appear with links to useful resources.
The main "Play section allows users to download and launch Minecraft: Java Edition. It also has an installation selection (which sorts installations by most recently played), the Java Edition username on right, and the most recent news from 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 isn't logged into an account that has purchased the game, the "Play" button appears as a "Play demo" button that downloads and launches the demo version 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[]
Creating a new installation.
You can create and edit custom installations in the "Installations section. There are buttons that allow you search and sort installations. Additionally, checkboxes allow you to enable installations with "Releases", Snapshots and Modded versions of Minecraft. 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).
By default, there are installations for the "Latest release" and for "Latest snapshot" (if enabled), both of which the game versions cannot be changed. You can create a new install by clicking the "New instal" button. An existing installation can be edited simply by clicking on it. There is a "Play" button that launches the selected installation and a folder icon that takes to the installation's game directory. The ellipses button contains the options to edit, duplicate, or delete an installation.
The following information can be modified on the create/edit 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. This includes access to older releases (if enabled). - Game directory is the location where the game files are stored, default being.minecraft. The location can be typed in or selected using the "Browse" button. - Resolution, which changes the game's windows size. You can choose from a variety of resolutions or create your own. - Java executable defaults to the bundled Java runtime. - JVM arguments, such as heap size. The users used to be able to manually configure logging settings (see Debugging, wiki.vg) but this doesn't seem like it any longer. [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 on the create a 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. In order to see these versions in the installations section, the player must enable "Show historical versions of Java Edition" in the Minecraft Launcher settings tab. Because these versions are outdated and unsupported, they may contain bugs and errors that are not present in newer versions. To avoid save corruption or other problems, it is recommended to run older versions in a separate directory. [4]
Once historical versions are enabled, the following can be accessed:
- Most beta version. - Most alpha version. - One infdev version. - Four classic versions. - Five pre-classic versions. [5]
Some issues with these older versions include:
- Some sounds are incorrect; doors, bows, and explosions use sounds from RC1, even versions that were released before it. In versions before Alpha 1.1.2_01, sounds do not work at all. Versions before 1.7 are missing skins. The reason is that earlier versions used a different server for skins. This server has since been retired. Capes might still work, however. [needs testing] - From Alpha 1.2.0 to Alpha 1.2.6 the Minecraft Launcher does NOT correctly set the player's names. Everyone uses the default name "Player", followed by a random number of three-digit numbers. This makes multiplayer difficult as players' inventory and location are reset every time they relaunch their client.
- Players are always called "Player524" in Alpha 1.2.5 and Alpha 2.2.6. It is impossible to play multiplayer in these versions as joining a server kicks other players with the same names.
Online mode does not work in versions prior Beta 1.8, as a side effect to the above and because of the shutdown of old authentication server,
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.
Skin can be applied in the skins 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 allows users to download (if necessary) and launch Minecraft for Windows (Bedrock Edition). It also includes the users Xbox Gamertag and the latest news from minecraft.net below.
- The game can be played offline if the device isn't connected to the internet. However, it must have been downloaded initially. Unsupported devices will display a warning message and a link to a website that supports them. - If the user isn't logged into an account that has purchased the game, the "Play" button appears as a "Play demo" button that links the player to the Microsoft Store to download and launch the demo version of the game.
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. Only Play, DLC, FAQ, Installation, and Patch notes will be shown on unsupported platforms.
Play[]
The default view of Minecraft Dungeons in the Minecraft Launcher.
The main "Play section lets the user download (if required) and launch Minecraft Dungeons using the "Play button. Below are images from Minecraft Dungeons and a list with the latest news articles from mincraft.net. This section also contains a notice that the game can be purchased separately from the Microsoft Store for Windows. If the player does not have a supported platform, a small message is displayed at the bottom that states: Where is my play button? Minecraft Dungeons isn't available on (platform).
DLC[]
The DLC tab on the Minecraft Dungeons page in the Minecraft Launcher.
The search bar has a filter option that allows you to narrow down the results for searching DLCs. Check the box to see the bundle and/or DLCs.
Each DLC is shown in a card-like structure with the DLC info on the left and a cover image on the right. A slideshow is also included at the bottom of each card.
FAQ[]
The FAQ tab on Minecraft Dungeons is available on the Minecraft Minecraft Launcher.
The FAQ section is shown when pressing the FAQ tab. There is a list of troubleshooting sections and a link to the Minecraft Dungeons FAQ on the Minecraft Help Center.
Installation[]
Visiting this section without the game purchased displays a button that redirects to the Minecraft Dungeons buy page. If purchased, it will display an uninstall button as well as a repair button.
Patch Notes[]
This section shows cards of the patch notes.
Each card has an illustration on the top, and text below that identifies the patch notes. Click on the image to display the patch note.
Settings[]
The "About" section in the Minecraft Launcher settings.
Users can:
- Change the Minecraft Launcher language. There are 66 languages, including 2 joke languages (as at February 2021). 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. Only for Minecraft Java Edition:
- Open the output log after the game starts. - Option to automatically transmit crash reports from the game to Mojang Studios. - Display historical versions of the game (versions before Release 1.0) using the version selector in Installations. Users can manage, add, change, manage or delete their Microsoft accounts in the "Accounts section.
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 launches the demo version of a game. This is similar to if the purchase has not yet been made. -h --help This option displays a help message about how to run it from the command line. --clean - This option removes the "game", and "runtime", folders from the working directory. --launcherui This option presents the login screen. -w, --workDir - This option, followed by a path (relative or absolute), changes the location (and/or name) of the .minecraft folder. - Can be used for creating a portable installation. 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).
Uninstalling the old Minecraft Unified Launcher[]
Source: "Uninstalling an Old Minecraft Unified Launcher", Minecraft Help Center.
This applies only to players using Windows 10 or newer. Older versions of Windows are not able to use the new Minecraft Launcher for Windows. To clear up any confusion between them, you can remove the old launcher by installing the new launcher. 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 icon at the bottom left). 2. Type "Add or remove programs" into the search box and click on the top entry. 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".
Only one launcher should be installed. 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. Get more information from the mod author.
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 launcher settings section contains the "About" section.
Closeup of the Technoblade crown on the pig
Minecraft: Java Edition[]
The default installations section (with snapshots enabled).
Editing an Installation
Adding a new skin.
A game crash
Warning: If the game is already running, you should not run another copy.
Warning about using a version that does not support the most recent player safety features
A skin representing Alex, which was previously the default Alex in the Skins tab. This would give the player the default skin instead.
A texture reproduction of the Alex skin.
Is it tho
Backgrounds[]
Background for the initial login screen.
The background of Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.
The background of Minecraft Dungeons.
Version history[]
The first Minecraft Launcher
Image of the second launcher in-development, from Notchs blog.
The second Minecraft Launcher. The original Minecraft logo can still be seen.
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[]
The Launcher Log tab after the Launcher starts
The Local Version Editor (NYI) tab (replaced by Time Machine)
If the development launcher is not up-to-date, an error message is displayed
Error message displayed after an older launcher is opened using the 9.0 launcher
2016-19[]
Selecting profile icons from the launcher
Launcher offline mode
The Help page
Game crash
Launcher warning about starting another Minecraft copy if it is running.
Older skin options.
You can select an older version.
The shrug Emoji, which can sometimes appear in the upper left corner.
Trivia[]
- In the version 2.2.2529 Release Notes there is text that says: Tmwa, shi/JJ se Shimwa, shi mwa. Both Alpha and Classic Minecraft: Java Edition versions are listed as "old_alpha", even though they are not the same. [13] - The Minecraft Launcher doesn't store passwords locally. Instead, it uses the'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 about 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 many exciting plans and are seeking a senior C++ developer to help us make them a reality. Have a friend or colleague who is 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
