The "About" tab 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.
The "About" tab 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.
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File:MCL splash screen.png|''Minecraft Launcher for Windows'' splash screen
File:MCL splash screen.png|''Minecraft Launcher for Windows'' splash screen
File:Launcher BE MacOS.png|The ''Bedrock Edition'' screen on macOS
File:Launcher BE MacOS.png|The ''Bedrock Edition'' screen on macOS
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, all tabs can be selected. The launcher version is shown in the bottom-left.
Home
The "Home" tabs contains a button to play, with a dropdown allowing to select a game and installation, as well as Minecraft:Quick Play links. The Home tab also shows the player's Minecraft:Minecoin balance with a link to purchase more, and a button to open the Minecraft:Inbox with Bedrock Edition news messages.
Manage profile, opening the player's Minecraft:Profile page similar to the one on minecraft.net. Players can view their games, account information, Realms, and Bedrock Edition profile information here, as well as various external links.
A link to the profile page on minecraft.net, with mostly the same options.
Log out
An account selector. Multiple accounts can be stored only on Linux and macOS, and can be switched here.
View all accounts, opening the Account settings.
What's new
This screen shows changes in recent launcher updates.
File:Launcher JE tab.pngThe default view of the Minecraft: Java Edition page in the Minecraft LauncherFile:Launcher Demo.pngThe default view of the Minecraft: Java Edition page in the Minecraft Launcher if the user has not purchased the game
There are 5 tabs on the Template:JE page: Play, Installations, Realms, Skins, and Patch notes.
The main "Play" tab 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: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 "Buy Now" button that links to Buy Minecraft on Minecraft.net.
In the "Installations" tab, custom installations can be created and edited. There are buttons to sort and search installations, as well as checkboxes to enable installations with "Releases", "Snapshots", and "Modded" versions of the game. Installations are stored in Minecraft:launcher_profiles.json (in the game's directory (Minecraft:.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 ellipsis button contains 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:.minecraft. The location can be typed in or selected using the "Browse" button.
Resolution, which changes the game's window size. It has a list of resolutions, or a custom one can be typed in.
Java executable, by default uses the bundled Java runtime.
Previously, it was possible for users to manually set a logging configuration (see Debugging for more info), however, this doesn't seem to work anymore.<ref>Template:Bug</ref>
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.
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 Minecraft:Java Edition 1.0.0. In order to see these versions in the "Installations" tab, 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.<ref>Template:Cite</ref>
Once historical versions are enabled, the following can be accessed:
Minecraft:Skins and Minecraft: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 Minecraft:Alpha v1.0.15 and from Minecraft:Alpha v1.2.0 to Minecraft: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 Minecraft: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 Minecraft:Beta 1.8.
Realms
In the "Realms" tab, the user can buy, quick play, and manage a Minecraft Realm. Players can choose their installation of choice before launching a realm.
In the skin library, a 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.
This tab 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.
There are 7 tabs on the Template:BE page: Play, Realms, Creator Tools, Marketplace Pass, FAQ, Installation, and Patch notes (the "Installation" tab is not shown on unsupported platforms). On the top-right, a bell icon links to the Minecraft:Inbox.
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, and the "Play" button is replaced with "Not Playable on this Device".
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 Minecraft:demo version of the game.
The "Play" tab is decorated with key art from the latest named update and allows update music to be played. There can also be advertisements and there is a gift purchase.
In the "Realms" tab, the user can buy, join, and manage Minecraft:Realms. Owned and joined Realms are shown with some server information, and a list of pending invites. Joined Realms can be left from here, but all other settings can only be managed in-game or from the minecraft.net page linked here.
In the "Creator Tools" tab, the user can launch Bedrock Edition with the Minecraft:Editor tools enabled, where players can use the advanced in-game tools to edit Minecraft:worlds through projects and export them as world templates, and create custom Minecraft:Vibrant Visuals resource packs. The Editor can be launched for both the latest release and Minecraft Preview.
In the "Marketplace Pass" tab, the user can subscribe to the Minecraft:Marketplace Pass and access over 150 Marketplace content that changes every month. The links to packs and the subscribe page launch Minecraft with the respective pack or subscribe page opened in the Minecraft:Marketplace. Furthermore, this section contains information about the Marketplace Pass, the Marketplace in general, and Minecraft:Realms Plus, as well as links.
FAQ
The "FAQ" tab provides frequently asked questions and answers about the Minecraft Launcher, Minecraft: Java Edition and Minecraft: Bedrock Edition.
Installation
The "Installation" tab is used to install, repair, uninstall the game, or check for updates for Template:BE and Minecraft Preview.
Patch notes
This tab displays patch notes of major and minor updates (not including development versions and hotfixes). 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, which are the same as the patch notes on minecraft.net or the feedback site.
During its pre-order phase, the Template:MCD2 page contains only a single "Play" tab, which displays promotional media for the upcoming title, including background key art, an embedded trailer, and links to pre-order the game on the Xbox store.
This tab features a screenshot gallery, information about a limited-time pre-order bonus, and a promotional section linking to the original Minecraft Dungeons. Additionally, the page contains an interactive puzzle consisting of eight note blocks that can be activated. If the activation sequence is correct, multiple secret events can be triggered as part of an ARG.
There are 5 tabs on the Template:MCD page: Play, DLC, FAQ, Installation, and Patch notes (only "Play", "DLC", and "Patch notes" are shown on unsupported platforms).
Play
The main "Play" tab 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:minecraft.net below. This page also contains a notice that the game can be purchased separately from Template:W for Template:W. If the player is not playing on the supported platform, a small message on the bottom is shown that displays: Template:Cd
The "DLC" tab includes a search bar and filter options to narrow down the results when searching the DLCs. The bundle 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.
The "FAQ" tab provides frequently asked questions and troubleshooting information concerning passes, launcher compatibility, DLC access, system requirements, and installation repairs for Minecraft Dungeons.
Installation
Visiting this tab is one of the ways to install the game. If the game wasn't bought, the game purchased displays a button that redirects to the Minecraft Dungeons buy page. If the game was bought but wasn't installed, it displays the Install button and if the game was installed, it shows an uninstall, repair and check for updates button.
Patch notes
This tab 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.
There are 4 tabs on the Template:MCL page: Play, FAQ, Installation, and Patch notes (only "Play", "FAQ", and "Patch notes" are shown on unsupported platforms).
Play
The main "Play" tab 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:minecraft.net below. If the player is not playing on the supported platform, a small message on the bottom is shown that displays: Template:Cd
The "FAQ" tab provides frequently asked questions and gameplay guides covering controls, unit spawning, village defense, and accessibility settings for Minecraft Legends.
Installation
Like the Minecraft Dungeons page, visiting this tab is one of the ways to install Minecraft Legends. If the game wasn't bought, the game purchased displays a button that redirects to the Minecraft Legends buy page. If the game was bought but wasn't installed, it displays the Install button and if the game was installed, it shows an uninstall, repair and check for updates button.
Patch notes
This tab 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
There are 3 tabs on the settings page: General, Accounts, and About.
In the "Accounts" tab, users can add, switch, manage, or remove their Microsoft accounts.
About
[[File:Launcher Template:V.png|thumb|The "About" tab]]
The "About" tab 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.
Can be used to create a portable installation of the launcher by passing a custom path or Template:Cd to use the current directory.
Template:Cd – Restricts the launcher installation directory to the specified folder.
Template:Cd – Specifies a custom path to a configuration file for the launcher.
Template:Cd – Deletes the game and runtime directories, including their contents, from the working directory.
Template:Cd – Starts the launcher directly in UI mode, skipping update and startup checks. Allows multiple launcher processes to run simultaneously.
Template:Cd – If another instance of the launcher is already running, retries starting up to 5 times (waiting 1 second between attempts) before bringing the existing window to the front.
Template:Cd – Specifies an alternative directory to locate and store core launcher components (such as launcher.dll). Bypasses ordinary update checks if valid components are already present in the folder.
Template:Cd – Specifies a custom staging directory where the updater downloads, extracts, and verifies component update files before replacing active files.
Template:Cd – Skips the automatic check and download of launcher updates.
Template:Cd – Tells the installer to start a repair routine for the launcher and closes immediately.
Template:Cd – Disables GPU hardware acceleration inside the launcher interface, which can help resolve rendering glitches.
Template:Cd – Opens a dedicated debugging window showing GPU driver capabilities and hardware acceleration statistics for troubleshooting.
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):
Click the start menu in Windows (windows icon in the bottom left).
Type in "Add or remove programs" and click the top entry.
Search for "Minecraft Launcher". The launcher to uninstall displays Mojang underneath the title "Minecraft Launcher".
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.
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.<ref>Template:Bug</ref>
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 Template:Dl (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.
A removed Alex skin that used to represent the default Minecraft:Alex on the Skins tab. Selecting this would simply give the player the default one instead.
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