Minecraft is one of the greatest video games of all time. Developed by Mojang and released in 2011, Minecraft is an open-world sandbox game available for a wide range of PC, mobile, and console platforms. Selling more than 238 million copies worldwide and over 126 million people playing it monthly, making it one of the best-selling and most popular games of all time.
Microsoft bought Minecraft and its parent company Mojang Studios for $2.5 billion in 2014. Ever since then, Microsoft has been releasing various Windows-compatible editions of the game. One such edition is ‘Minecraft for Windows 10′ which is specially designed for Windows 10 PCs.
Minecraft for Windows 10 is a Bedrock edition that allows cross-platform play across devices such as Xbox One, iOS and Android phones, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation. Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition is also available for the new Windows 11 PCs and it works well on the latest OS. This article will demonstrate how to download and install Minecraft in Windows 11.
Which Minecraft Edition to Get?
There are two major versions of Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and Java Edition. And there is a multitude of differences between the two editions.
Java is the oldest, original edition of the game which is only available on computers (namely Windows, macOS, and Linux). Java Edition only allows cross-play with computers, meaning you can only play with other ‘Java’ players on Windows, Linux, or Apple operating system. It cannot be played with other players on consoles, mobile devices, and other devices. Java Edition has better graphics, more servers, and limitless modding capabilities.
Minecraft for Windows 10 (commonly known as Bedrock Edition) on the other hand features cross-platform play with any device running Minecraft including, Windows, Xbox One, iOS and Android phones, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation (except Linux and Mac which only have Java Edition). Bedrock Edition has better performance and faster load times.
Also, You cannot cross-play between editions. Java players can only play with other Java players and Bedrock Players can only play with other Bedrock players.
If you’re a new and causal player, then Bedrock Edition is the right choice. It is more stable than the Java Edition. Java Edition of Minecraft has Hardcore mode and Spectator mode which are not available in Bedrock Edition. If you’re a hardcore game and want to use lots of custom mods, then Java Edition is the way to go. That being said, both editions offer the same basic gameplay.
There way multiple ways you can get Minecraft on Windows 11 whether it’s Bedrock or Java Edition. Both editions offer a free trial, after which you will need to purchase the game. And both Bedrock and Java Edition are compatible with Windows 11.
Install Minecraft on Windows 11
Minecraft is a vast 3D world where users can build, craft, mine, battle, and explore. It is an infinite virtual land made of cubic blocks where players can create their own worlds and experiences.
You can download and install Minecraft for Windows 10 (Bedrock) Edition through Microsoft Store or Minecraft website. But you can only download and install Java Edition from the Minecraft website.
Get ‘Minecraft for Windows 10’ Edition through Microsoft Store
To install Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, search for Microsoft Store on Windows search and open it.
In the Microsoft Store, search for ‘Minecraft’ in the search bar. You will get multiple versions of the game. You can choose between the three main versions of the game, which are Minecraft for Windows 10, Minecraft for Windows 10 Starter Collection, and Minecraft for Windows 10 Master Collection. But only Minecraft for Windows 10 Edition offers a free trial.
If you want to try out the game before buying it, click on the ‘Minecraft for Windows 10’ Edition from the result.
As you can see, the Bedrock edition will set you back up to $29.99 (₹ 1,474 in Indian Rupees). Click the money button, choose a payment method, and purchase the game. If you want to try it for free, click ‘Free trial’.
Once you click the ‘Free trial’ button, the downloading will start.
After the download is over, you can click the ‘Play’ button to start the game.
Or, search for ‘Minecraft’ in the Windows search and click the app from the result to launch the game.
Once the game is loaded, click the ‘Play’ button and start enjoying the game.
Get Minecraft Bedrock Edition From Minecraft Website
You can also download and install ‘Minecraft for Windows 10’ Edition from the official Minecraft website.
Go to minecraft.net and click on the ‘Games’ button at the top of the page, and select ‘Minecraft’.
If you want to install a free trial, click the ‘TRY IT FREE’ link at the top of the website.
On the next page, click on the Windows logo to download the trial version.
If you are interested in purchasing the game, then, click the ‘GET MINECRAFT’ button on the Minecraft homepage.
On the next page, select the device (COMPUTER in this case).
Next, choose the platform (PC).
Next, select your edition. Then, select ‘MINECRAFT: WINDOWS 10 EDITION’ to download the Bedrock edition.
Then, choose either ‘Starter Collection’ or ‘Master Collection’ and click the ‘BUY’ button to go to the Order Summary page to purchase the game.
If you are buying Minecraft for Windows 10 Edition, it is better to buy it from Microsoft Store. Because you would get a fair price and get the cost of the game in your currency. If you buy from the official Minecraft website, the dollar-to-your currency conversion could be higher.
Download and Install Minecraft Java Edition from Minecraft Website
You can only download Minecraft: Java Edition from the Minecraft Official website.
To install the free trial of Minecraft: Java Edition, go to the official Minecraft website, click the ‘Games’ button at the top of the page, and select ‘Minecraft’.
Then, click the ‘TRY IT FREE’ link at the top of the website just like we did before.
Scroll down the next page, and click the ‘DOWNLOAD NOW’ button under the Minecraft: Java Edition for WIndows section.
Next, choose a destination and save the installer.
Then, double-click the installer to install it.
In the Minecraft Launcher Setup, click ‘Next’.
Then, choose where you want to save the game using the ‘Change’ button, and then click ‘Next’.
And then, click ‘Install’.
Click ‘Yes’, if User Account Control asks for permission.
Then, click the ‘Finish’ button.
This will update the Minecraft Launcher and open it.
In the launcher, you can use either a Microsoft or Mojang account to log in. If you don’t have one, click the ‘Create a new Microsoft account’ link to create an account.
Next, enter the username and click ‘Next’.
Then, enter your password and click ‘Sign in’.
It will show you a welcome page with a randomly generated username (which you can change later).
Once you logged, it will take you to the Minecraft launcher home page where you can manage your Minecraft account, buy skins, install mods, and change settings. Here, click ‘Play Demo’ to start the download of game files for the trial version.
It will start downloading the game files as shown below.
Once, the files have been downloaded, you can play the game.
Remember this is only a demo version, it will only last ‘five in-game days’ or about ‘100 minutes’. Using the trial version is the best way to see if your computer can handle Minecraft.
After the trial period is over, you will need to purchase the full game if you want to continue playing.
Get Minecraft Java Full Edition
If you want to purchase the full Minecraft: Java Edition, you will need to do it on the Minecraft website.
To buy Minecraft Java Edition, go to the Minecraft website and click the ‘GET MINECRAFT’ button.
Next, select the device (Computer) you use to play.
Then, select the Platform (PC – Windows).
Then, choose ‘MINECRAFT: JAVA EDITION’.
At last, click the ‘BUY MINECRAFT’ button.
This will take you to the Order Summary page, where you select your Country/Region and payment method, and buy the game (for approximately $26.95 or your local currency equivalent).
Once your payment is successful, you will get a download link to download the launcher setup. You can then install and configure the launcher to play the game.
That’s it.
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