Minecraft Launcher

Minecraft Launcher

Author(s)	?
Platform(s)
Written in	TypeScript, ReactJS, C++
Latest version	3.11.30
Release date	June 30, 2010
Size	~10.13 MB
License	?
Source available	No
Links	minecraft.net Microsoft Store

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Key art by Mojang Studios

The Minecraft Launcher is the game downloader and launcher for Minecraft: Java Edition and one of the game downloaders and launchers for Bedrock Edition, Minecraft Dungeons, and Minecraft Legends. It is available for Windows, macOS and Linux, but Minecraft for Windows and Minecraft Legends can be played only on Windows 10 & 11, and Minecraft Dungeons only on Windows 7 or later.

Features

The initial login screen

The initial loading screen

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. Subsequent logins can be done in the "Settings" tab.

On the left side, a "News" tab, a tab for each game, and the Minecraft Launcher "Settings" tab can be seen.

The top left corner of the Minecraft Launcher contains the user's Xbox gamertag for the currently active account (which might differ from their Minecraft: Java Edition username). 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.

Minecraft: Java Edition

The main "Play" section allows the user to download (if needed) and launch Minecraft: Java Edition with the "Play" button, and also includes an installation selection on the left (which sorts installations by last played), the user's Java Edition username on the right, and a list of the latest news for the game from minecraft.net below.

• One can launch multiple instances of the game by pressing the "Play" button while the game is running.
• 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.
• 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.

In the "Installations" section, custom installations can be created and edited. There are buttons to sort and search installations, as well as checkboxes to enable installations with "Releases", "Snapshot", 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).

By default, there are installations for the "Latest release" and for "Latest snapshot" (if enabled), both of which the game versions cannot be changed. A new installation can be created by clicking the "New installation" button and an existing installation can be edited 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.

On the create/edit installation page, the following can be changed:

• Icon, by selecting one of the default ones or adding a custom one. Custom icons must be a .png and 128×128 pixels in size.
• Name, by default called "<unnamed installation>".
• Version, which includes access to older releases and snapshots (if enabled).
• Game directory, the location of where the game files are saved, the default being .minecraft. The location can be typed in or selected using the "Browse" button.
• Resolution, which changes the game's windows size. It has a list of resolutions, or a custom one can be typed in.
• Java executable, by default uses the bundled java runtime.
• JVM arguments, such as heap size.

Before, it was possible for the users to manually set a logging configuration (see Debugging for more info), however this doesn't seem to work anymore.

A specific game version's server jar can also be downloaded by selecting the version in the list and pressing the "Server" button next to it.

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. 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. It is recommended to run old versions of the game in a separate directory and backup worlds to avoid save corruption or other problems.

Once historical versions are enabled, the following can be accessed:

• Most beta versions.
• Most alpha versions.
• One infdev version.
• Four classic versions.
• Five pre-classic versions (However rd-20090515 is a duplicate from rd-161348).

Some issues with these older versions include:

• Some sounds are wrong; bows, doors, and explosions use their sounds from RC1, even in versions released prior to it. In versions before Alpha v1.1.2_01, sounds do not work at all.
• Skins and capes are missing in versions prior to 1.7.6, as earlier versions used a different skin server, which has since been shut down.
• In Alpha v1.0.15 and from Alpha v1.2.0 to Alpha v1.2.6, 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. This makes multiplayer difficult to play, as a player's location and inventory is reset every time they relaunch their client.

• In Alpha v1.2.5 and Alpha v1.2.6 specifically, players are always named "Player524". Playing multiplayer in these versions is impossible, as joining a server kicks off other players with the 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.

Realms

In the "Realms" section, the user can buy, play, and manage a Minecraft Realm. Players can choose their Installation of choice before launching a realm.

Skins

The skins section

In the "Skins" section, the user can view and change their in-game skin. By default, the skin is either Steve, Alex, Noor, Sunny, Ari, Zuri, Makena, Kai, or Efe.

In the Skins library, skin can be applied by clicking "Use". The skin can also be edited, duplicated, chosen to be either wide or slim, or delete by clicking the ellipsis button. By default, the library contains the default Steve, Alex, Noor, Sunny, Ari, Zuri, Makena, Kai, and Efe skins, which can be duplicated or applied, but not removed. Custom skins can also be uploaded by clicking the "New skin" button.

Visiting this section without purchasing the game displays a button that redirects to the Minecraft: Java Edition store page.

Patch Notes

This section shows cards of the patch notes. 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.

Minecraft: Bedrock Edition

The main "Play" section allows the user to download (if needed) and launch Minecraft: Bedrock Edition with the "Play" button, and also includes an installation selection on the left to choose between the latest release or the latest Preview, it also includes the user's Xbox Gamertag on the right, and a list of the latest news for the game from 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.
• If the user is on an unsupported device, a warning appears with a link to a website with supported devices.
• 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 Microsoft Store to download and launch the demo version of the game.

Realms

In the "Realms" section, the user can buy, play, and manage a Minecraft Realm. They can manage their Bedrock's "Realms" in the launcher.

Creator Tools

The Bedrock Editor Section

In the "Creator Tools" section, the user can download Bedrock Editor (also known as Editor) where user can use the advance in-game tools to edit Worlds through Projects. You can launch the Editor in the Latest Release or Latest Preview.

Marketplace Pass

The Marketplace Pass Section

In the "Marketplace Pass" section, the user can subscribe to the Marketplace Pass and access to the 150+ Marketplace content that changes every month. If you click the 'Subscribe Now", it will open/install Minecraft Bedrock Edition.

FAQ

The "FAQ" section with frequently asked questions and answers about the Minecraft Launcher, Minecraft: Java Edition and Minecraft: Bedrock Edition.

Installation

The "Installation" section to install, repair, uninstall the game, or check for updates for Minecraft Bedrock & Minecraft Preview

Patch Notes

The "Patch notes" section is where the patch notes of the game's updates can be seen (not including beta versions). 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.

Minecraft Dungeons

The default view of the Minecraft Dungeons section in the Minecraft Launcher.

There are 5 tabs on the Minecraft Dungeons page: Play, DLC, FAQ, Installation, and Patch notes. (Only Play, DLC, and Patch notes are shown on an unsupported platform.)

Play

The main "Play" section allows the user to download (if needed) and launch the latest version of Minecraft Dungeons with the "Play" button and also includes images from the game and a list of the latest news articles from minecraft.net below. This section also contains a notice that the game can be purchased separately from Microsoft Store for Windows. 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 isn't available on (platform).

DLC

The DLC tab on the Minecraft Dungeons page in the Minecraft Launcher.

There is a search bar and a filter option to narrow down the results when searching the DLCs. The bundle or/and the DLCs can be shown by checking the box.

Each DLC is shown in a card-like structure with the DLC info on the left and a cover image on the right. There is also a slideshow on the bottom of the card.

FAQ

The FAQ tab in Minecraft Dungeons 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 bought, it shows an uninstall, repair and check for updates button.

Patch Notes

This section shows cards of the patch notes. 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.

Minecraft Legends

There are 4 tabs on the Minecraft Legends page: Play, FAQ, Installation, and Patch notes. (Only Play, DLC, and Patch notes are shown on an unsupported platform.)

Play

The default view of the Minecraft Legends section in the Minecraft Launcher.

The main "Play" section allows the user to download (if needed) and launch the latest version of Minecraft Legends with the "Play" button and also includes images from the game and a list of the latest news articles from minecraft.net below. 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 Legends isn't available on (platform).

FAQ

The FAQ section is shown when pressing the FAQ tab. There is a list of troubleshooting sections and a link to the Minecraft Legends FAQ on the Minecraft Help Center.

Installation

Visiting this section without the game purchased displays a button that redirects to the Minecraft Legends buy page. If bought, it shows an uninstall, repair and check for updates button.

Patch Notes

This section shows cards of the patch notes. 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.

In the main "General" section, users can:

• Change the Minecraft Launcher language. There are 66 languages available, including 2 joke languages (as of February 2021).
• Use the beta version of the Minecraft Launcher, which requires restarting the launcher to start downloading if there is one 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.
• Review the launcher.
• Make text size bigger.
• Enable or disable Quick Play feature and delete all entries.

Options exclusively for Minecraft: Java Edition:

• Open the output log when the game starts.
• Option to automatically send the game's crash reports to Mojang Studios.
• Show historical versions of the game (versions prior to Release 1.0) in the version selector 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, minecraft-launcher in Linux or /Applications/Minecraft.app/Contents/MacOS/launcher in Mac.

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 of the game, much like if the game hasn't been purchased yet.
• -h, --help - This option displays a help message on how to run it in the command line.
• --clean – This option deletes the "game" and "runtime" folders, including their contents, 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 to create a portable installation of the game. For example, --workDir (or --workDir=.) can be used to make the Minecraft Launcher use the current directory (no matter what the current folder is called).
• --nativeLauncherVersion - .
• --tmpDir – This option, followed by a path (relative or absolute), changes the location (and/or name) of the tmp folder.
• -l, --lockDir - This option, followed by a path, restricts the installation directory to a specified folder.
• --winTen – This option adds support for Windows 10. Since the Minecraft Launcher now supports Windows 10 fully, this option is unnecessary and seems to have no effect.
• --proxyHost - This option changes where the host of the proxy is.
• --proxyPort - This option changes the default port from 80 to a custom one.
• --disableGPU - This disables GPU acceleration in the Minecraft Launcher, which might fix issues when playing Minecraft..
• --debugGPU - This opens up a new window showing debug information, like "Graphic Feature Stats", which shows if Hardware acceleration is enabled on certain features, and an option to copy the content to the clipboard. These might be useful for troubleshooting purposes.

Uninstalling the old Minecraft Unified Launcher

Source: "Uninstalling the 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. With the addition of a new launcher, you can uninstall the old launcher to remove any confusion between the two. 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 the Minecraft Unified Launcher (old launcher):

1. Click the start menu in Windows (windows icon in the bottom left).
2. Type in "Add or remove programs" and click 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".

Now only one launcher should be installed. Run the Minecraft Launcher for Windows to ensure it still works; if it doesn't, reinstall using 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. Check with the mod developer for more detail.

History

[hide]Java Edition Infdev
June 29, 2010							Initial release of the Minecraft launcher in the form of a downloadable applet.
							The client requires an internet connection on the first run and for updates, but after that, the game supports playing offline.
							Command line arguments are accepted to launch the game. Using the format java -cp Minecraft.jar net.minecraft.LauncherFrame username password allows login without joining a server, while the format java -cp minecraft.jar net.minecraft.LauncherFrame username password serveraddress:portnumber allows joining a server.
[hide]Java Edition Alpha
v1.2.2							Command line arguments format changed.
[hide]Java Edition Beta
1.3							Released in February 21, 2011. A technical sneak preview was published by Notch on February 18, 2011.
							Added capability of automatic login to the game and/or server by command line arguments.
							Added smarter update system that updates only changed files, prompts the user to update, allows HTTPS logins for a more secure connection, and offers general UI improvements.
							Link to the Minecraft install directory for easy access.
							Added Force Update button under the Options dialog.
							The Minecraft Launcher also featured an inline "changelog" via a Tumblr called MCUpdate, and supports command-line arguments.
							Added the new Minecraft logo.
							Added official links, community links and Mojang on Twitter links.
[hide]Java Edition
1.2.1							Properly selects 64-bit Java installations for macOS users.
1.3.2							Added ability to launch demo mode for non-premium users.
1.6.1			13w16a				New launcher added.
1.14							New 'beta' launcher added. See Launcher version history for version history from this point onward.
[hide]Launcher
February 24, 2020							With launcher version 2.1.1382x, patch notes for the Launcher are added to the About section.
October 21, 2020							It is announced that Java Edition would be using Microsoft accounts for added security enhancements. With this, all Mojang Studios accounts would be migrated to Microsoft accounts. Since December 1, 2020, new players are no longer able to sign up for a Mojang Studios account; they are instead required to use or create a Microsoft account to buy and play the game.
November 27, 2020							With launcher version 2.2.74x it is now "Unified" and one can now log in with a Microsoft Account and launch Minecraft Dungeons, which previously required a separate launcher.
October 16, 2021							The Minecraft PC Bundle is announced at Minecraft Live 2021 to be added to Xbox Game Pass for PC. The bundle includes Minecraft Launcher for Windows (the new Minecraft Launcher) available from Microsoft Store on Windows 10/11, and for the first time includes Minecraft: Bedrock Edition in addition to Minecraft: Java Edition and Minecraft Dungeons.
March 10, 2022							Mojang Studios and Legacy Minecraft accounts are no longer supported to play games in the launcher, and user who still haven't migrated to Microsoft accounts are directed to do so.
							The legacy Minecraft Launcher (version 1.6.x) is discontinued (along with support for Windows XP and Vista) since this launcher does not support Microsoft accounts.
July 2, 2022							A crown had been added to the pig on the menu image in memoriam of the popular YouTuber Technoblade, whose death from Stage 4 cancer had been announced 2 days prior.
August 23, 2022							Minecraft Preview is added to the Launcher.
September 10, 2024							Renamed the "Minecraft for Windows" tab to "Minecraft: Bedrock Edition."
February 27, 2025							Added a new section to showcase "A Minecraft Movie" content.
March 24, 2025							Added falling leaves to celebrate the Spring to Life update, along with the "Triple Bundle".
April 1, 2025							Added the Launchraft update.

Issues

Issues relating to "Minecraft Launcher" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.

Trivia

• In version 2.2.2529 release notes there's text that reads: T⍑ᒷ ᔑ ̇/𝙹ꖎ𝙹ℸ ̣ ꖎᓭ ᔑ∷ᒷ リ𝙹ℸ ̣ ∴⍑ᔑℸ ̣ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ|| ᓭᒷᒷᒲ - which translates to "THE AXOLOTLS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM".
• Both Alpha and Classic versions of Minecraft: Java Edition are listed as "old_alpha", despite them not being the same.
• 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.
• Game crashes are reported to Mojang Studios 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.

Gallery

• 

  Minecraft Launcher for Windows app icon

• 

  Minecraft Unified Launcher app icon

• 

  Minecraft Launcher Microsoft Store square key art

• 

  Minecraft Launcher Microsoft Store vertical key art

• 

  Minecraft Launcher Microsoft Store horizontal key art

• 

  Old Minecraft Launcher Microsoft Store horizontal key art

• 

  Minecraft Launcher for Windows splash screen

• 

  The initial loading screen.

• 

  The initial login screen

• 

  The home tab

• 

  The Minecraft: Java Edition tab

• 

  The Minecraft Dungeons tab

• 

  A Minecraft Movie tab

• 

  The "About" section in the launcher settings.

• 

  Close up of the pig with Technoblade’s crown. As a memorial after famous YouTuber Technoblade had passed away.

• 

  Old Minecraft Launcher app icon

• 

  Poisonous Potato "play" font

• 

  Minecraft Live Tab

• 

  The Bedrock Edition screen on MacOS

Minecraft: Java Edition

• 

  The default installations section (with snapshots enabled).

• 

  Editing an installation.

• 

  Adding a new skin.

• 

  A game crash

• 

  A warning about running another copy of the game if it is already running.

• 

  A warning about playing a version that doesn't support the latest player safety features.

• 

  A removed Alex skin that used to represent the default Alex on the Skins tab. Selecting this would simply give the player the default one instead.

• 

  A texture recreation of the removed Alex skin.

Backgrounds

• 

  The background for the initial login screen.

• 

  The background for Java Edition and Bedrock Edition, featuring the Spring to Life official artwork.

• 

  The background for Minecraft Dungeons.

• 

  The background for Minecraft Legends.

Version history

• 

  The first Minecraft Launcher

• 

  In-development image of the second launcher, from Notch's blog.

• 

  The second Minecraft Launcher. The old Minecraft logo can 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 2013 launcher in development.

• 

  Dinnerbone logging into the launcher.

• 

  Selecting beta versions in the launcher.

• 

  Selecting alpha versions in the launcher.

• 

  The Launcher Log tab after the Launcher starts

• 

  The Local Version Editor (NYI) tab (replaced by Time Machine)

• 

  Error message that is displayed if a development launcher is outdated

• 

  Error message that is displayed if an old launcher is opened after using the 9.0 launcher

• 

  Notification for the end of support for the launcher.

2016–19

• 

  Profile icons selection from the launcher.

• 

  Launcher in offline mode

• 

  The Help page

• 

  Game crash

• 

  Launcher warning about running another copy of Minecraft if it is already running.

• 

  Older skin options.

• 

  Selecting an older version.

• 

  The creeper face that appears at the top left corner.

• 

  The shrug emoticon that sometimes replaced the creeper face at the top left corner.

See also

• Tutorials/Programs and editors