How to download Minecraft Optifine 1.21.1

Optifine for Minecraft 1.21.1 is now available for players to enjoy. The popular modification introduces a collection of performance optimizations while also adding robust shader support for a wide collection of shaders. With the latest Optifine version catching up to the 1.21.1 update, how can you download and install the modification to improve your overall graphical/performance experience?

As long as you have Minecraft: Java Edition updated to version 1.21.1, downloading and installing Optifine 1.21.1 should be an incredibly easy process that should only take a few moments. From there, you can install shaders, tweak the mod's performance settings, and more.

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How to download and install Optifine for Minecraft 1.21.1

Once installed, Optifine can be used directly from the official launcher. (Image via Mojang)

Optifine is installed on your computer via a .jar file, which should work quickly and effectively, allowing you to spend less time fidgeting with files or folders and more time enjoying the game or finding your new favorite set of shaders to install. Whatever the case, you can install Optfine 1.21.1 with the steps below:

1. Head to https://optifine.net/downloads, select the preview version under the 1.21.1 header and click the download button.
2. Wait a few seconds and then click the skip button in the top right of the AdFocus site.
3. Click the download button again and you should receive a .jar file.
4. Run the .jar file to open the Optifine installation wizard. Ensure that the file path listed in the wizard is pointing to your game's root folder, then click the Install button. You'll receive a notification that Optifine has completed installation.
5. From here, you can open your Minecraft Launcher client and select Java Edition. Click the button that reads "latest release" or "latest snapshot" and switch it to Optifine to run the game with the mod active.

That's all there is to it! Once Optifine is installed, you'll have additional control over your graphics and performance in the settings menu in a similar sense to other Minecraft optimization mods. Additionally, you'll be able to open your settings, select video settings, and then shaders, where you can open your shaders folder and insert .zip files for shaders that are compatible with Minecraft 1.21.1.

From this very menu, you can also tweak the settings of any shaders you install. Aside from the Iris mod, Optifine is one of the best options for installing graphical shaders of different varieties, though you'll need to make sure that the shaders are both compatible with Optifine and Minecraft 1.21.1, or you may experience crashes or graphical issues.