Is Minecraft for Windows the same as Bedrock?

Minecraft comes in various editions, some of which are quite different from others. The same can be said of the Windows 10 or 11 version, which has several differences from Java Edition on computer platforms. However, fans unfamiliar with the editions may be wondering if the Windows 10 or 11 version is the same as Bedrock Edition. Aside from a few minute details, the answer is yes.

Except for Java Edition and some now-defunct editions, Bedrock Edition encompasses multiple modern iterations of the game, including those seen on Windows, modern Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo consoles, the mobile version on Android and iOS commonly referred to as "Pocket Edition," the Education Edition, and the game's China Edition.

Minecraft for Windows, while having its own distinct name, is almost completely indistinguishable from Bedrock Edition on other platforms since it runs on the same Bedrock C++ codebase.

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Explaining the confusion between different editions of Minecraft

Minecraft's history of edition releases can be a bit confusing (Image via Mojang Studios)

Since its beginning in the late 2000s with Java Edition, Mojang Studios' sandbox title has undergone several revisions and has had multiple releases. The versions, known as Legacy Edition, like the PlayStation 3/4 Edition, Xbox 360/One Edition, Pocket Edition, and Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, all arrived ahead of Mojang's decision to bring together the disparate game editions under one umbrella.

Although the earliest version of Bedrock Edition was released in 2011, it took years for Bedrock as we know it today to be rolled out across various platforms, eventually obsoleting the game's legacy editions. A major shift arrived in 2017 with the Better Together Update, which merged multiple editions of the game under the banner "Minecraft" and used Bedrock's name to distinguish it from Java.

From there, Mojang phased out the support of the legacy console, PC, and Pocket Editions, introducing new iterations of the game running on the Bedrock codebase simply known as "Minecraft," which are the editions fans know today. When one plays the game on current generation consoles, their mobile device, or the Windows 10/11 version separate from Java, they're still playing Bedrock Edition.

Bedrock was designed by Mojang as an edition that would be cross-compatible for multiplayer and for content purchases, all of which are tied to a player's Microsoft account and use Microsoft's online Xbox Live Services to facilitate multiplayer. Java Edition still exists as an alternative, since it's the original version of the game built on Java's code base, but nearly every other platform runs Bedrock.

Java and Bedrock Edition have become the mainstay editions of the game (Image via Mojang Studios)

Many players still prefer Java Edition over Bedrock, but the latter has grown in popularity due to its availability on various devices. All things considered, while millions of players still enjoy Java Edition on computers, Bedrock has become the easier edition to access since it's available on consoles, mobile devices, Windows PCs, and even the Kindle Fire.

The Java vs Bedrock debate has been going on for nearly as long as Bedrock has existed, but the fact of the matter is that having these editions exist alongside each other allows fans to pick the iteration of Minecraft they appreciate the most. Moreover, the compatibility of the Bedrock engine allows for the game to be used in other contexts like Education Edition's existence in the academic space.

The legacy versions of the game are still playable, but they're no longer supported by Mojang in favor of moving forward with Bedrock. Not every fan was keen on this shift, but it's the current landscape of the developer's beloved sandbox game.