The Sixth Minecraft Launcher Version 20

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 2.1 Installations 2.2.2 Backward compatibility 3.2.3 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 to log in with a Mojang Studios or legacy Minecraft account, they will be directed to migrate 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 upper left corner shows the user’s Xbox gaming tag for the currently active account. It might differ from their Minecraft Java Edition username. Clicking on it will allow users to log in or log out of their active account. There is also a Help page that provides links to various resources.

The main "Play” section allows the user download (if necessary) and launch Minecraft: Java Edition using the "Play" button. It also includes an installation selection to the left (which sorts installs by last played), the Java Edition username to the right, and a list below of the latest news about the game from minecraft.net.

- One can launch multiple instances of the game by pressing the "Play" button whilst the game is running. The game can be run offline if the device isn't connected to the internet. However, only if the original game has been downloaded. If the user isn’t logged in to an account that purchased the game, the “Play” button will appear as a “Play demo” button. This downloads and launches a demo version of the game. You can also view the patch notes, including snapshots, in the "Patch Notes" section.

Installations[]

Create a new installation.

You can edit and create custom installations in the "Installations” section. 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 for the "Latest version" and "Latest snapshot" are default. The game versions cannot be changed. Click the "New Installation" button to create a new installation. You can also edit an existing one 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. Choose from one of the available default icons or add a custom icon. You must have a.png file and 128x128 pixels to create custom icons. - Name, which is defaultly called "". - Version. This allows access to older releases as well as snapshots (if you have this option). - Game directory: This is where the game files are saved. The default is.minecraft. The location can be entered or selected by clicking the "Browse” link. - Resolution. This alters the game's window size. It can be accessed by selecting from a list of resolutions or typing in a custom one. - Java executable defaults to 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 on wiki.vg for more info), however this doesn't seem to work anymore. [3]

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 allows you to play all older versions of the game and older snapshots by default. However, there are some older versions that were available before Release 1.0. Mega blog 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. These versions are old and not supported, so they could have bugs and other errors that aren't present in newer versions. To avoid save corruption and other problems, it is recommended that you run older versions of the game in a different directory and backup worlds. [4]

Once historical versions are enabled you can access the following:

- Most beta versions. - Most alpha versions. - One infdev version. - Four versions of the classic version. - Five preclassic versions. [5] Some issues with these older versions include:

- Some sounds may not work properly; doors, explosions, bows and doors use sounds from RC1, even if they were not available in previous versions. The sounds are not working in Alpha 1.1.2_01 versions. Versions prior to 1.7 do not have skins because they use a different skin server. This server has since been closed down. However, Capes may still function. [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. 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". Playing multiplayer in these versions is impossible, as joining a server kicks off other players with the same name. Online mode is no longer working in versions prior to Beta 1.8 as a side effect and because old authentication servers have been shut down. Skins[]

The skins section

The "Skins" section allows the user to view and modify their in-game skin. By default, the skin is either Steve or Alex.

In the skins library, skin can be applied by clicking "Use". You can edit, duplicate, or delete skins by clicking the ellipsis buttons. By default, the library contains the default Steve and Alex skins, which can be duplicated or applied, but not removed.

You can visit this section and not purchase the game.

Minecraft for Windows[]

The main "Play” section allows the user (if required) to download and launch Minecraft (Bedrock Edition) using the "Play” button. It also includes the Xbox Gamertag of the user on the right and the latest news about the game from minecraft.net.

- 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 hasn't registered for an account to purchase the game, the "Play” button will appear as a "Play demo” button. This button links the user to the Microsoft Store to download and launch a demo version of the game. There's a "FAQ" section with frequently-asked questions and answers about Minecraft Launcher (Bedrock Edition), an Installation section to install or repair the game, and a patch notes section where you can view the patch notes for any updates to the game (not including beta).

Minecraft Dungeons[]

There are five tabs to the Minecraft Dungeons webpage: FAQ, Play and Patch notes. (Only Play, DLC, and Patch notes are shown on an unsupported platform.)

Play[]

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

The main "Play” section allows users to download (if necessary) and launch the latest Minecraft Dungeons version with the "Play” button. It also contains images from the game as well as a list of the most recent news articles from minecraft.net. This section also displays a notice that the Microsoft Store for Windows can be purchased separately. 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 are not available on this 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. Check the box to see the bundle and/or DLCs.

Each DLC is displayed in a card-like layout with the DLC info on one side and the cover image to the right. A slideshow can also be found at the bottom.

FAQ[]

The FAQ tab in Minecraft Dungeons on the Minecraft Minecraft Launcher.

The FAQ section can be accessed by pressing the FAQ tab. The FAQ section contains troubleshooting information and a link for the Minecraft Dungeons FAQ.

Installation[]

This section can be accessed without the purchase of Minecraft Dungeons. If bought, it shows an uninstall button and a repair button.

Patch Notes[]

This section lists cards of the patches notes.

Each card contains an image on top and the text below stating the name of the patch notes. Clicking this will display 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 to download Minecraft Launcher. This requires restarting launcher to begin downloading if one is 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 accelerator. Only for Minecraft Java Edition:

- Open the output log after the game starts. - Option for Mojang Studios to automatically send crash reports. - In the Version Selector section of the Installations section, you can see historical versions (versions prior 1.0). 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 of the game, much like if the game hasn't been purchased yet. -h., --help: This option displays a help text on how to execute it in the command-line. --clean - This option deletes the "game" and "runtime" folders, including their contents, from the working directory. --launcherui- This option shows the login screen. -w., --workDir- This option is followed with a path (relative and absolute) that changes the location (and/or its name) in the.minecraft folder. - This option can be used to create a portable version 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).

Uninstalling the old Minecraft Unified Launcher[]

Source: "Uninstalling an 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 (old launcher).

1. Click the Start menu in Windows (windows symbol in the lower 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". 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. Check with the mod developer for more detail.

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 pig with Technoblade's crown.

Minecraft: Java Edition[]

The default installation section (with snapshots disabled).

Editing an Installation

Adding new skin.

A game crash

Warning: If the game is already running, you should not run another copy.

A warning about using an older version of the 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 Alex skin.

Backgrounds[]

Background for the initial login screen.

The background for Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.

Background for Minecraft Dungeons.

Version history[]

The first Minecraft Launcher

Image of the second launcher in development, taken from Notch's 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[]

After Launcher starts the Launcher Log tab

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

Error message that is displayed if a development launcher is outdated

An error message is displayed when an old launcher after using the 9.0 launcher is opened

2016-19[]

Profile icons selection from the launcher.

Launcher offline mode

The Help page

Game crash

Launcher warning about installing another Minecraft copy if the current one is running.

Older skin options.

Selecting an older version

The shrug emoticon, which sometimes appears in the top 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 an'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. References[]

" We're expanding our Minecraft Launcher team! We have a lot of exciting plans and are looking for another senior C++ developer to help make them happen. 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