Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft players wanting to access different game versions, mod compatibility, or experience older/newer features.
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Using the Minecraft Launcher
The easiest way to change your Minecraft Java version is through the official launcher. Open the Minecraft Launcher and look for the “Installations” tab at the top. Click “New installation” to create a custom profile, or edit an existing one by clicking the three dots next to it.
In the installation settings, you’ll see a “Version” dropdown menu. Here you can select from:
- Latest release versions (like 1.20.4)
- Latest snapshot builds (experimental features)
- Historical versions (going back to early alpha builds)
- Modded versions (if you have loaders installed)
Give your installation a memorable name, choose your desired version, and click “Create” or “Save”. The launcher will download any necessary files automatically.
Managing Multiple Java Versions
Different Minecraft versions often require different Java versions to run properly. Newer versions (1.17+) need Java 17 or higher, while older versions work fine with Java 8.
In the installation editor, click “More Options” to expand advanced settings. Look for the “Java Executable” field – this lets you point to a specific Java installation on your computer. If you have multiple Java versions installed, you can browse to the correct java.exe file for each Minecraft version.
Common Java Requirements
| Minecraft Version | Recommended Java |
|---|---|
| 1.17 and newer | Java 17+ |
| 1.12 – 1.16 | Java 8 or 11 |
| 1.11 and older | Java 8 |
Switching Between Versions
Once you’ve set up multiple installations, switching is simple. On the launcher’s main screen, click the dropdown arrow next to the green “Play” button. Select your desired installation from the list, and the launcher will load that specific version when you hit play.
Each installation maintains its own worlds, mods, and settings, so you can safely experiment with different versions without affecting your main gameplay. For players who enjoy both modern features and nostalgic gameplay, this flexibility makes Minecraft endlessly entertaining.
TL;DR
Change Minecraft Java versions through the launcher’s Installations tab by creating new profiles or editing existing ones. Select your desired version from the dropdown menu and the launcher handles the rest.
