How to download Minecraft launcher

The Minecraft launcher and its alternatives are required to play the sandbox title, as the days of simply double-clicking the game's icon are long gone. The launcher is convenient, however, as it allows players to quickly select different versions of the game, or even some of Mojang Studios' spinoff titles, besides various versions of Java Edition.

This article details everything you need to know about downloading and setting up the game's main launcher.

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How to set up the Minecraft launcher

1) Download the installer

Mojang's official download page for the launcher's installer (Image via Mojang Studios)

The launcher's download page: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download

To set up the launcher, first download the installer. This can be done from the game's official website. Once the installer has been downloaded, go ahead and run it.

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2) Run the installer

Running the installer will prompt you to agree to Microsoft's licensing agreement (Image via Techademics/YouTube)

Running the installer should cause a program to pop up. Check the Microsoft Software Licence Terms agreement and hit the green "Install" button to install the official launcher.

If you plan to mod the game, determine which of the many different Minecraft modloaders you'll use, as well as which of Minecraft's best modpacks you're going to need to download.

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3) Let it install

The installation process might take a moment but it's entirely automated (Image via Techademics/YouTube)

This is the most in-depth part of the installation process. From here, the installer will automatically download and install the most up-to-date version of the game's launcher. It might take a few minutes, depending on your internet speed and PC configuration. Once the installation has been completed, hit the "Let's Go" button. This will begin the second round of the installation process.

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4) Sign in and play the game

Being able to swap quickly between Mojang's games is quite convenient (Image via Mojang Studios)

The launcher should be ready to start up and use now. Make sure to sign in to your Microsoft account, or else you will not be able to play the game as it will register as "unowned." Select either Java or Bedrock, depending on your preference, then select the "Play" button to launch the game.

Thereafter, you can start a new world and begin playing the game. It won't take long before the amazing survival gameplay loop immerses you in the many environments found across Minecraft's best seeds.