Notes

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 is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Minecraft for Windows can only be played on Windows 10/11. Minecraft Dungeons cannot be played on Windows 7+.



Contents



1 Features 2 Minecraft: Java Edition 2.1 Installations 2.2 Backward compatibility 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 9.42013-16 9.52016-19



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 tries to log in with a Mojang Studios, legacy Minecraft account, they will then be directed to migrate to Microsoft.



On the left side you will see a "News" tab and a tab for each of the Minecraft Launcher games.



The Minecraft Launcher's top right corner displays the user's Xbox Gamertag for the current account. This might 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 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.



- You can launch multiple instances of the same game by pressing "Play" while the game's 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 does not have an account that purchased the title, the "Play" button will be replaced by a "Play demo" button. This downloads the demo version of game and launches it. 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[]



Create a new installation.



Custom installations can be created or edited in the "Installations” area. 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).



There are two default installations: one for the "Latest release" (if enabled), and one for the "Latest snapshot". Both of these cannot be modified. A new installation can be created by clicking the "New installation" button and an existing installation can be edited by clicking on it. The "Play” button launches the current installation. A folder icon opens the installation's 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. Choose from one of the available default icons or add a custom icon. Your custom icons must be a.png with 128x128 pixels size. - Name, usually "" - Version, which allows you to access older releases and snapshots (if this option is enabled). - Game directory is the location where the game files are stored, default being.minecraft. You can either type the location or select it using the "Browse” button. - Resolution. This changes the game's window size. It has a list of resolutions, or a custom one can be typed in. - Java executable uses the bundled Java Runtime by default. - 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]



A specific game version's jar can also downloaded by selecting it from the list, and clicking the "Server” button next to it.



Backward compatibility[]



Selecting older versions in the create new installation screen.



The Minecraft Launcher is able to play older releases of the game, and older snapshots, if they are enabled by default. However it also supports 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. [4]



Once historical versions have been enabled, you can access the following:



- Most beta versions. - Most beta versions. - One infdev version. - Four versions of the classic version. - Five preclassic versions. [5]


Some of the issues with older versions include:



- Some sounds are wrong; bows, doors, and explosions use their sounds from RC1, even in versions released prior to it. The sounds are not working in Alpha 1.1.2_01 versions. Skins are missing in versions prior to 1.7, as earlier versions used a different skin server, which has since been shut down. Capes may still work, however. [Needs testing]: The Minecraft Launcher does not correctly set the player’s nickname in Alpha 1.0.15, Alpha 1.2.0, and Alpha 1.2.6. As a result, everyone uses default names like "Player" followed a random 3-digit code. Multiplayer is difficult to play because the client's inventory and location are reset each time they launch their client.


- Alpha 1.2.5 and Alpha 1.2.6 are specifically designed to have players named "Player524". Multiplayer is impossible in these versions, as you can't join the same server and play with other players with the exact 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.


Skins[]



Section on skins



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



Skin can be applied in the skins library by clicking "Use". You can edit, duplicate, and delete the skin by clicking on the ellipsis icon. The default Steve and Alex skins are included in the library. These skins can be copied, duplicated, or applied but not removed.



This section is accessible even if you do not wish to purchase the game. A button redirects you to the Minecraft Java Edition store page.



Minecraft for Windows[]



The main "Play” section lets the user download (if necessary), and launch Minecraft for Windows, Bedrock Edition, with the "Play” button. Korobi is now blogging Also, it includes the user's Xbox Gamertag to the right and a list of the most recent news for Minecraft.net below.



- If the device does not have an internet connection, the game can still be played offline, but only if it has been downloaded. 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 are sections for FAQs and Minecraft for Windows (Bedrock Edition) and Installation. You can also repair or uninstall the game from the "Installation" section. The patch notes section contains information about the latest patches.



Minecraft Dungeons[]



There are 5 tabs on the Minecraft Dungeons page: Play, DLC, FAQ, Installation, and Patch notes. (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 allows the user (if needed), to download and launch the latest Minecraft Dungeons. Click the "Play" button to access images and a list below of the latest news articles on minecraft.net. This section also includes a notice that the game is available separately from the Microsoft Store. If the player is not using the supported platform, a message appears at the bottom that reads: Where's the play button? Minecraft Dungeons isn't available on (platform).



DLC[]



The DLC tab can be found on the Minecraft Dungeons Page in the Minecraft Launcher.



The search bar has a filter option that allows you to narrow down the results for searching DLCs. Click the box to show the bundle and/or the DLCs.



Each DLC can be seen in a card structure, with the DLC info at the top and a cover photo at the bottom. There is also a slideshow on the bottom of the card.



FAQ[]



The FAQ tab in Minecraft Dungeons can be found on the Minecraft Minecraft Launcher.



The FAQ section is shown when pressing the FAQ tab. The FAQ tab contains a list of troubleshooting areas and a link that will take you to the Minecraft Dungeons FAQ.



Installation[]



If you visit this section without purchasing the game, a button will redirect you to the Minecraft Dungeons Buy page. If the game was purchased, it displays an uninstall and repair button.


Patch Notes[]



This section lists cards of the patches notes.


Each card has an illustration on the top, and text below that identifies the patch notes. Clicking this will display the patch notes.

Settings[]



The "About" section in the Minecraft Launcher settings.



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 acceleration. Options exclusively for Minecraft: Java Edition:



- Open the output log when the game starts. - Option for Mojang Studios to automatically send crash reports. - Display historical versions of the game (versions before Release 1.0) using the version selector in Installations. Users can manage their Microsoft accounts by going to "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 LauncherMinecraftLauncher.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 about how to run it from the command line. --clean: This option deletes the "game", "runtime" folders and their contents from the current directory. --launcherui: This option displays 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 for creating a portable installation. 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).





Uninstall the old Minecraft Unified Launcher[].



Source: "Uninstalling an Old Minecraft Unified Launcher", Minecraft Help Center.



This only applies to players who are using Windows 10 or later. Older versions of Windows are not able to use the new Minecraft Launcher for Windows. To get rid of any confusion between the two launchers, you can add a 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 remove the Minecraft Unified Launcher.



1. Click the Start Menu in Windows (windows icon at the bottom left). 2. Click the top entry and type "Add or Remove Programs" 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 now 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. 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 of the launcher settings.



Closeup of the Technoblade crown on the pig



Minecraft: Java Edition[]



The default installations section (with snaps enabled).



Editing an installation



Adding a new skin.



A game crash



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



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



A skin for Alex that has been removed. This used to be the default Alex skin on the Skins Tab. This would give the player the default skin instead.



A texture recreation of the removed Alex skin.



Backgrounds[]



Background for the initial login screen.



The background of Java Edition and Bedrock Edition.



The background of Minecraft Dungeons.



Version history[]



The first Minecraft Launcher



Image of the second launcher in-development, 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[]



After the Launcher starts, click on the Launcher Log tab



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



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



If an old launcher has been opened after using the 9.0 Launcher, an error message will be displayed



2016-19[]



Profile icons selection from the launcher.



Launcher in offline mode



The Help page



Game crash



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



Older skin options.



Selecting an older version.



The shrug emoji that sometimes appeared at the top left corner.



Trivia[]



- Version 2.2.2.2529 release notes contain text that reads Tmwa/JJse shimwa/RiJ shi ma - Both Alpha (and Classic) versions of Minecraft: Java Edition have been listed as "old_alpha", despite not being identical. [13] - The Minecraft Launcher doesn't store passwords locally. Instead, it uses the'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 lots of exciting plans, and we are looking for a senior C++ programmer to help us realize them. Have a friend or colleague who is 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


Here's my website: https://korobi.io/