How to Download Minecraft for Free

Co-authored by Zac Churchill and Travis Boylls

Last Updated: December 3, 2024

This wikiHow teaches you how to play Minecraft for free. Minecraft is a popular indie sandbox and survival game developed by Mojang AB. Minecraft allows players to build, demolish, fight, and explore in an open-world. There are a few ways to play Minecraft for free. You can use an unauthorized Minecraft launcher, which is not exactly legal. For a more legitimate route, you can play the demo which gives you 100 minutes of free gameplay.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Zac Churchill
Minecraft Specialist

Expert Interview. 2 December 2020.} You can also play Minecraft Classic from 2009 for free within your web browser.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using TLauncher

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TLauncher is an unofficial Minecraft launcher. Using it is against Mojang's End User License Agreement. Additionally, it may contain viruses and malware that can be harmful to your computer. It is recommended that you use a VPN while using TLauncher and that you scan the downloaded file for viruses before using it.
Go to mc-launcher.com/special/minecraft in a web browser. This is the website you can use to download TLauncher.

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Scroll down and click Direct Download. It's the tiny text below "Get It Now" at the bottom of the page. This takes you to a page that has a direct download link for TLauncher.
- Alternatively, you can click one of the download icons for your operating system. However, this will take you to AdFly, which is a sketchy website that contains lots of adware, malware, and viruses. If you do go to AdFly, don't click anything. Just wait 7 seconds and click Skip in the upper-right corner. Your download should start on its own.
It's the blue button on the left. This will take you to a download site. You will need to wait about 7 seconds before the download will be ready.
The blue icon with the Windows logo will download a .exe file for Windows. The blue button with the Apple logo will download a .jar (Java) file. This can be used to install the launcher on Mac. This will download the launcher.
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Open the "TLauncher-MCL" file. By default, your downloaded files can be found in your "Downloads" folder. On PC, it's a .exe file. On all other systems, it's a .jar file.
- In order to run TLauncher, you must install the latest version of Java on your computer.
It's the menu that says "Create at least one account". This displays a drop-down menu.
It's the only option in the drop-down menu. It's next to an icon that resembles a gear.
It's the first option below the box on the left. This allows you to create a new account.
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Click Free (w/o password). It's the second option in the box on the right. This option allows you to create a free account.
- Alternatively, you can click Mojang.com account, if you already have a Minecraft account.
Enter your desired in-game username in the space provided and click Add account below the field.
Your account is listed in the box on the left. Click it to highlight the account you want to use. Then click the orange button that resembles a house below the box on the left.
The first time you play, you will need to install the game. Every other time, you can click Enter the game to start playing for free.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Playing the Demo

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Go to https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download/ in a web browser. This is the website where you can download Minecraft and try the demo for free.
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Click Download. It's the green button in the center of the screen. This downloads the launcher for the Java version of Minecraft.
- Alternatively, you can find free demo versions of Minecraft for Playstation and Xbox from the Playstation Store or Xbox Store.
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Install the Minecraft Launcher. Use the following steps to install the Minecraft Launcher.
- Open the "Minecraftinstaller.msi" file in your web browser or "Downloads" folder.
- Click Next.
- Click Change and select an install location (optional).
- Click Next
- Click Install.
- Click Yes.
- Click Finish.
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Open the Minecraft Launcher. It has an icon that resembles a Minecraft dirt and grass block. Click the icon in the Windows Start menu or Applications folder on Mac to open the Minecraft Launcher.
- In order to run the Minecraft Launcher, you must install the latest version of Java on your computer.
It's the option below the log in screen on the Minecraft Launcher. This opens a web browser you can use to sign up for a Minecraft account.
Enter your email address and password. In order to play the Minecraft demo, you'll need to fill out the form and register for an account. Enter your email address twice to confirm it and then enter your desired password.
It's the green button below the sign-up page. This will send a confirmation email to your email address with a confirmation code.
Check your email using whatever email application you use. Look for a verification email from Mojang Studios. This email contains a 4-digit verification code.
Enter the verification code from your email address in the Minecraft sign-up page and click Verify.
If the Minecraft launcher isn't already open, click the icon to open the Minecraft Launcher and log in with the email address and password associated with your Minecraft account.
This launches the Minecraft demo. You can play the demo version for free for 100 minutes over a maximum period of 5 days.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Zac Churchill
Minecraft Specialist

Expert Interview. 2 December 2020.} Then you will need to purchase Minecraft. You can purchase either the Java version of Minecraft, the Windows 10 Edition, or the Mobile versions.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Playing Minecraft Classic

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Go to https://classic.minecraft.net/ in your web browser. This website loads the classic 2009 version of Minecraft in your web browser. This version doesn't have all the features that the latest version of Minecraft has, but it is a nice way to experience older versions of Minecraft for free.
Enter a username. Enter the username you want to use in-game in the blank space in the center of the screen. You can use any username you want.
This will launch the classic game in your web browser.

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Question

Can I use T-launcher and launch the full game version?

Community Answer

Yes you can, though there are some restrictions. For example, you will not be able to change your skin.

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Why can't I just go to Media Fire and download it for free?

Jeff

Community Answer

Once you download it you need a Premium Mojang Account and so it won't work.

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Is the education edition of Minecraft free? Can anyone use it?

Community Answer

Yes, but only for people with a Microsoft 365 education account. Even regular accounts don't work.

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Tips

Minecraft free trials are available on PC and Xbox.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Zac Churchill
Minecraft Specialist

Expert Interview. 2 December 2020.}

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Don't get Minecraft from illegal sources like torrent sites — it's against the law. In addition, pirated versions of the game can suffer from connectivity issues which can make multiplayer unplayable.

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If you like playing Minecraft, buy the full version. You'll be showing your support for the developers and allowing them to continue improving the game.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Check whether a site is reliable before downloading Minecraft for free. Some sites can give your computer viruses and malware.
If you already own one version of Minecraft, some other versions are free, such as Minecraft: Bedrock Edition.

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Warnings

Downloading games from unofficial sources can be dangerous, and there is a chance you'll get spyware or other malicious software.

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