The Sixth Minecraft Launcher, Version 2.0

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 2.1 Installations and 2.2 Backward Compatibleity 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 9.3 Version history 9.4 2013-16 9.5 2016-19

Features[]

Users must log in to the initial login screen with a Microsoft account. If they don't have one, they can create one by clicking this link. Logins to subsequent accounts can be done under the "Settings” tab. 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'll see a "News", a tab that lists all the games, and the Minecraft Launcher Settings tab.

The Minecraft Launcher's top left corner contains the user’s Xbox gamertag (which may 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 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.

- Multiple instances of the game can be launched by pressing the Play button while the game runs. - 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 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. There is also a patch notes section that allows you to view the patch notes and snapshots for the game's recent update.

Installations[]

Create a new installation.

You can edit and create 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).

Installations are created for the "Latest update" and the "Latest snap" (if they are enabled), which cannot be altered. Click the "New Installation" button to create a new installation. You can also edit an existing one by clicking on it. The "Play" button launches the selected installation. A folder icon takes you to the installation's games 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. Select one of the pre-made icons or create your own. Custom icons must be a .png and 128x128 pixels in size. - Name, defaultly "". - Version, which allows you to access older releases and snapshots (if this option is enabled). - Game directory: This is where the game files are saved. The default is.minecraft. You can either type the location or select it using the "Browse” button. - Resolution. This alters the game's window size. It offers a selection of resolutions. You can also type in your own. Java executable by default uses the bundled Java runtime. - JVM arguments, such as heap size. Previously, users could manually set a configuration for logging (see Debugging at wiki.vg). However, this no longer seems to work. [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[]

Select older versions in the Create New Installation screen.

The Minecraft Launcher can play older releases (and older snapshots, if disabled) by default. However, it can also play older versions before Release 1.0. To see these versions in the installation section, the player must turn on "Show historical Java Edition" in their 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, it is recommended to run the older versions in a separate directory. [4]

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

- Most beta versions. - Most alpha version. - One infdev version. - Four classic models. - Five versions pre-classic. [5]


Some of the issues with older versions include:

- Some sounds can be wrong. Doors, bows, and explosives all use sounds from RC1, even versions before it. Sounds do not work 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 to be tested] - The Minecraft Launcher doesn't correctly set the player’s name in Alpha 1.0.15 and Alpha 1.2.0 to Alpha 2.2.6. This means that everyone uses default names: "Player" followed with 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.


- Alpha 1.2.5 and Alpha 1.2.6 are specifically designed to have players 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 available in Beta 1.8 versions as a side effect of the above and due to old authentication servers being shut off.


Skins[]

The skins section

The "Skins” section allows you to view and edit your in-game skin. By default, the skin will be either Steve or Alex.

You can apply skin to the skin library by clicking "Use". The ellipsis button allows you to edit, duplicate or delete the skin. The default skins for Steve and Alex are stored in the library. They can be duplicated, applied, or removed.

If you visit this section without purchasing the game, a button will redirect 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 user’s Xbox Gamertag and the latest news 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 is not logged in to an account that purchased the game, the "Play button" will be replaced by a "Play demo button" that will link the player to the Microsoft Store to download the demo version.


There is a section called "FAQ" that answers frequently asked questions about Minecraft Launcher and Minecraft For Windows (Bedrock Edition), and an "Installation” section that allows you to uninstall or repair the game. A section called "Patch notes" contains the patch notes for the latest updates (not including beta versions).

Minecraft Dungeons[]

The Minecraft Dungeons page has five tabs: FAQ, Play, DLC and Installation. (On unsupported platforms, only Play, Patch notes, and DLC are displayed.

Play[]

The default view for the Minecraft Dungeons section of 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 has a notice that you can purchase the game 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.

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 can be seen in a card structure, with the DLC info at the top and a cover photo at the bottom. A slideshow can also be found at the bottom.

FAQ[]

The FAQ tab of Minecraft Dungeons on 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 the game was purchased, it displays an uninstall and repair button.

Patch Notes[]

This section shows cards of 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 to choose from, with 2 joke languages (as per 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 Options only for Minecraft Java Edition

- Open the output log after the game starts. - Option to automatically email Mojang Studios the game's crash logs. - Show historical versions of the game (versions prior to Release 1.0) in the version selector in the Installations section. 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 - This launches a demo version of the game just like if it hasn't yet been purchased. -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, which is followed by a relative or absolute path, changes the location (and/or names) of the.minecraft folder. - This option can be used to create a portable version of the game. Chakribakri You can use --workDir (or -workDir=) to create a portable installation of the game. can be used to make the Minecraft Launcher use the current directory (no matter what the current folder is called).

Uninstall the old Minecraft Unified Launcher[].

Source: "Uninstalling 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 for Windows (windows icon to 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. For more information, contact the mod developer.

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.

Close up of the pig with Technoblade's crown.

Minecraft: Java Edition[]

The default installations section (with snaps enabled).

Editing an installation

Adding new skin.

A game crash

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

A warning about playing an outdated version that doesn't support the latest player safety measures

A removed Alex skin that used to represent the default Alex on the Skins tab. This would allow the player to choose the default skin.

A texture reproduction of the Alex skin.

Backgrounds[]

Background for the initial login screen.

Background for Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.

Background for Minecraft Dungeons.

Version history[]

The first Minecraft Launcher

From Notch's blog, an in-development image for the second launcher.

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 tab Local Version Editor NYI (replaced with Time Machine)

If a development launcher is out of date, an error message will be displayed

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

2016-19[]

The launcher allows you to select the profile icons.

Launcher offline mode

The Help Page

Game crash

Launcher warning about running a second copy of Minecraft if it's already running.

Older skin options.

You can choose an older version.

The shrug emoji can sometimes be found in the upper left corner.

Trivia[]

- Version 2.2.2529 release note contains text that reads: Tmwa Shi /JJ Se shimwa RiJ shi Mwa. Despite the fact that they are not identical, both Alpha and Classic Minecraft: Java Edition are listed under "old_alpha". [13] - 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.


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? We'd love to hear from you! - @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