Your one-stop portal into the Minecraft universe!

Minecraft Launcher

Minecraft Launcher

  -  Freeware
  • Latest Version

    Minecraft Launcher LATEST

  • Review by

    Jack Taylor

  • Operating System

    Windows 10 / Windows 11

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    Mojang / External Link

Minecraft Launcher is an optional game utility that allows Windows 10 and Windows 11 players to have one unified dashboard from which they can start modern Minecraft titles such as Minecraft for Windows, Minecraft: Java Edition, and Minecraft Dungeons.

The launcher does not include the games themselves (which still have to be individually purchased) and it does not restrict their functionality. This includes the ability to play them in a cross-play environment, no matter what platform the player is using.

To get Minecraft Launcher up and running on any modern Windows 10 and 11 Windows desktop or laptop PC (due to their system requirements, all of them are perfectly capable of running Minecraft games), players simply have to download and run the automated installer. Once ready to run, players are welcomed with an eye-catching dashboard that can detect all local versions of Minecraft.

The dashboard consists of the game selector on the very left part of the app (with tabs for Minecraft: Java Edition, Minecraft for Windows, Minecraft Dungeons, and an additional News section), a game showcase in the remainder of the dashboard, and a quick command listing on the top of the app (Play, Installations/DLC, Skins and Patch Notes). Customization of the dashboard functioning can be accessed via the Settings icon located in the bottom left corner of the app.

This application is available only for Windows 10 and 11 users. Older Windows OS releases are not supported (including popular Windows 7 and 8.1), and the official installer is hosted only on Windows Store and Xbox marketplace where they can be downloaded for free. Players are required to log in to this app with their Microsoft account.

Users of Windows 7 and 8.1 can try to better organize their Minecraft experience with the “Minecraft Unified Launcher” app, although it has to be said that this utility can only work with Java Edition and Minecraft Dungeons, without the option to interface with Minecraft for Windows. Minecraft Launcher Desktop App is 100% FREE.

The top alternatives to Minecraft Launcher:

ATLauncher - User-friendly launcher with mod pack support.

Technic Launcher - Popular launcher for modded Minecraft packs.

TLauncher - Versatile Minecraft launcher with mod options.

CurseForge App - Official launcher for CurseForge mod packs.

Badlion Client - Enhanced client with mods and optimizations.

FTB Launcher - The official launcher for Feed The Beast modpacks.

PROS
  • Vast Modding Community
  • Cross-Platform Play
  • Endless Creativity
  • Regular Updates
  • Multiplayer Servers
  • Educational Potential
  • Exploration and Adventure
CONS
  • Resource-Intensive
  • Learning Curve
  • Limited Graphics
  • Time-Consuming