Updated 24 October 2026. Every answer lists its source.
Installing and launching Minecraft, answered
Getting the game running: where to download each edition, how the official launcher works, how to play an older version, and where the game keeps its files.
Where do you download Minecraft?
Download Minecraft for PC from minecraft.net or the Microsoft Store. Consoles and phones get it from their own store.
The PC download is the Minecraft Launcher, which installs and runs both Java and Bedrock editions.
Source: minecraft.net - Download, Minecraft Wiki - Minecraft Launcher
What devices can you play Minecraft on?
Java Edition runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Bedrock Edition runs on Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android and Chromebooks.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Java Edition, Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition
Which version of Minecraft should I buy?
On PC, Minecraft: Java and Bedrock Edition comes as one purchase, so you get both. On consoles and phones you get Bedrock.
Java has the biggest mod and server scene. Bedrock plays with friends on consoles and phones.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Java Edition, Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition
Do you get Java and Bedrock together on PC?
Yes. Buying Minecraft for PC gives you both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition for Windows on the same Microsoft account.
Can you play Minecraft Java on a Chromebook?
Not officially. Chromebooks run the Bedrock Edition. Java runs only through a Linux setup, which Mojang does not support.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition
How do you install Minecraft on Linux?
Download the Linux launcher from minecraft.net, either as a .deb package for Debian and Ubuntu or as an archive for other systems.
Source: minecraft.net - Download, Minecraft Wiki - Minecraft Launcher
How do you install Minecraft on a Mac?
Download the Mac launcher (.dmg) from minecraft.net, drag it to Applications and sign in with your Microsoft account. Macs run Java Edition.
Source: minecraft.net - Download, Minecraft Wiki - Minecraft Launcher
Can you play Minecraft on an iPad?
Yes. Bedrock Edition is on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, and it plays with Bedrock players on other devices.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition
Can you play Minecraft without buying it?
There is a free trial (demo). The full game must be bought; free copies from unofficial sites are cracked and often unsafe.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Demo mode, minecraft.net - Download
How big is the Minecraft download?
The launcher is small, and the game downloads a few hundred megabytes more. Worlds, packs and mods add to that over time.
What is the Minecraft Launcher?
It is Mojang's PC app that downloads, updates and starts Minecraft Java, Bedrock (Windows), Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Legends.
It also holds your skins, Realms list, patch notes and separate installations for different versions.
How do you sign in to the Minecraft Launcher?
Sign in with the Microsoft account that bought the game. Java accounts were moved from Mojang to Microsoft accounts.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Minecraft Launcher, Minecraft Wiki - Microsoft account
What is an installation in the Minecraft Launcher?
An installation is a saved setup: a game version, a game folder, memory and Java settings. Each one launches separately.
Make one with Installations, New installation. The Latest release and Latest snapshot installations cannot change version.
How do you play Minecraft snapshots?
In the launcher's Installations tab, tick Snapshots, then play the Latest snapshot installation.
Snapshots are test builds with unfinished features. Play them in a copy of your world.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Minecraft Launcher, Minecraft Wiki - Snapshot
Can you play Minecraft Java offline?
Yes, after it has been downloaded once. The launcher can start the game in offline mode without internet.
You can only play singleplayer and LAN that way. Online servers check your account.
Can you run two Minecraft windows at once?
Yes. Pressing Play again while the game runs starts another copy of Java Edition.
How do you allocate more RAM to Minecraft?
In the launcher, edit the installation, open More options and change -Xmx2G in JVM arguments to a bigger number such as -Xmx4G.
Why won't Minecraft update?
Restart the launcher or the store app so it can fetch the new version. On consoles, check the store for an update.
On Java, the Latest release installation updates itself when you press Play.
What is the latest version of Minecraft Bedrock?
Bedrock updates through the store on each device. Its numbers now use the year-based format too, starting with 26.
Where is the .minecraft folder?
On Windows it is %appdata%\.minecraft. On macOS it is ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft. On Linux it is ~/.minecraft.
Press Win+R and type %appdata% to find it on Windows. It holds saves, resource packs, screenshots and mods.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - .minecraft
Where are Minecraft Java worlds saved?
In the saves folder inside .minecraft. Each world is its own folder named after the world.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - .minecraft
Where are Minecraft screenshots saved?
Java screenshots taken with F2 go into the screenshots folder inside .minecraft.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Screenshot
How do you back up a Minecraft world?
Copy the world's folder from the saves folder (Java) to another drive or cloud storage. Bedrock can export a .mcworld file from Edit World.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - .minecraft, Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition
How do you move Minecraft worlds to a new computer?
Copy the world folders from saves on Java. On Bedrock, export each world as .mcworld and open it on the new device.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - .minecraft
How do you reinstall Minecraft without losing worlds?
Back up the saves folder first. Uninstalling the launcher can leave .minecraft in place, but copy it to be safe.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - .minecraft
How do you delete a Minecraft world?
On Java select the world, click Edit, then Delete World. On Bedrock open Edit World and choose Delete World at the bottom.
Deleted worlds cannot be recovered, so back up any world you might want.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - .minecraft
What is Minecraft Education?
Minecraft Education is a version for schools with lessons, coding tools and classroom features. It needs a school or Microsoft 365 account.
What is Minecraft Legends?
Minecraft Legends is an action strategy game set in the Minecraft world, released in 2023. It is a separate game from Minecraft.
What is Minecraft Story Mode?
Minecraft: Story Mode was an episode-based adventure game by Telltale Games, released from 2015. It was later taken off sale.
What is Minecraft Earth?
Minecraft Earth was an augmented reality phone game released in 2019. It shut down in June 2021.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Minecraft Earth
What is Legacy Console Edition?
Legacy Console Edition was the old version of Minecraft on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U and similar consoles. Bedrock Edition replaced it.
What is Minecraft Classic?
Minecraft Classic is the 2009 Creative-only early version. A free browser version runs at classic.minecraft.net.
What happened to Minecraft Pocket Edition?
Pocket Edition was renamed Bedrock Edition in 2017 when it gained crossplay. It is the same game on phones.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition
Is Minecraft on Steam?
No. Minecraft is sold through minecraft.net, the Microsoft Store and console and phone stores, not Steam.
Source: minecraft.net - Store, Minecraft Wiki - Minecraft Launcher
Can you play Minecraft in VR?
Bedrock on Windows used to support VR headsets, but Mojang ended VR support in 2025. Java VR exists only through community mods.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Bedrock Edition
Is Minecraft made by Nintendo?
No. Minecraft is made by Mojang Studios, owned by Microsoft. Nintendo Switch is one of the consoles it runs on.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Mojang Studios
When did Minecraft come out?
Minecraft's full release was 18 November 2011. Early versions were playable from 2009.
Who made Minecraft?
Markus "Notch" Persson created Minecraft in 2009. Mojang Studios develops it now.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Markus Persson, Minecraft Wiki - Mojang Studios
How many copies has Minecraft sold?
Minecraft is the best-selling video game, with over 300 million copies sold across all platforms.
Source: Minecraft Wiki - Minecraft
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