Before you set off on an adventure in the world of blocks, you need to get the game and install it properly. Minecraft comes in two main editions, and the right one for you depends on the platform you want to play on and on who you plan to share a world with in multiplayer. In this chapter we'll walk you through the whole process, from creating an account to making your first world.

Java Edition vs Bedrock Edition: which to choose

Minecraft: Java Edition is the original version of the game, available on PC (Windows, macOS, Linux). The technical community prefers it for its full mod support (Forge, Fabric, NeoForge), access to servers with plugins and greater control over gameplay. Java Edition also lets you run snapshots: test versions with the newest features, released before they make it into an official update. If you plan to install mods or shaders, play on Polish servers, or you're into advanced redstone, Java Edition is by far the best choice.

Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is the cross-platform version, available on Windows 10/11, consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) and mobile devices (Android, iOS). Its biggest advantage is crossplay: players on different platforms can play together in one world without any extra setup. Bedrock Edition also has the Marketplace with official add-ons, skins and maps. Unfortunately, modding is limited to add-ons (Behavior Packs and Resource Packs), which can't match the huge library of mods available for Java Edition.

It's also worth knowing that the two editions differ in their game mechanics. Redstone circuits work slightly differently in each version, and some features (like Spectator mode or advanced commands) are more developed in Java Edition. On the other hand, Bedrock Edition is better optimized and runs more smoothly on weaker hardware.

Good news: Since June 2022, when you buy Minecraft Java Edition you also get Bedrock Edition in the bundle (and vice versa). Both versions are linked to one Microsoft account, so you don't have to choose: you can play both.

Step by step: buying and installing

Create a Microsoft account: if you don't have one yet, go to account.microsoft.com and create a free account. Since 2020, Mojang accounts have been migrated to Microsoft accounts. Make sure you remember your password, because you'll need it every time you log in to the launcher.
Buy Minecraft: go to the official minecraft.net website and click "Buy Minecraft". The price is about 119.99 PLN (prices can vary by region and with promotions). On consoles, buy the game from your platform's store (PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop). You can pay by card, with PayPal or with your Microsoft account balance.
Download the launcher: after you buy the game, download the Minecraft Launcher from minecraft.net. On Windows you can also get it from the Microsoft Store, which gives you automatic updates. The launcher handles both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition, and you switch between them with one click in the side panel.
Install and log in: run the installer, then open the launcher and log in with your Microsoft account. Choose the edition (Java or Bedrock) in the left panel and click "Play". The game downloads the files it needs on the first launch, which can take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.
Create a new world: on the main screen, click "Singleplayer", then "Create New World". Choose Survival mode and Normal difficulty, then generate the world. Your adventure begins! If you're not sure which mode to pick, go back to the first chapter, where we describe all the game modes.

System requirements

Minecraft Java Edition doesn't have sky-high hardware requirements, but it's worth having a decent computer, especially if you plan to use shaders or mods, or to play with a high render distance. Below you'll find the minimum and recommended system requirements.

Minimum requirements

CPU: Intel Core i3 or AMD A8
RAM: 4 GB (the game itself needs about 2 GB)
A graphics card with OpenGL 4.5 support
Disk space: 1 GB (more with mods and worlds)
Operating system: Windows 10, macOS 10.14 or Linux

Recommended requirements

CPU: Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5
RAM: 8 GB (you can give the game 4-6 GB)
Graphics card: GeForce GTX 1060 or better
An SSD for faster loading of worlds and chunks
Java 21 (the launcher installs it automatically)

If the game runs slowly, consider installing OptiFine or Sodium (a Fabric mod): both improve performance significantly and can even double your frame rate. Sodium together with Lithium and Phosphor is the most popular optimization set for modern versions of Minecraft. You can learn more about mods and optimization tools on our Java Edition download page.

Your first world settings

When you create a new world, there are a few important options to set. Each of them affects how you'll play:

Game Mode: choose Survival for the standard experience. Creative is ideal for learning to build without limits. In Survival you get the full feel of the game and the satisfaction of every step forward.
Difficulty: Normal is a good balance between challenge and accessibility. Easy is more forgiving (mobs deal less damage), while Hard is demanding (zombies can break down doors and hunger can kill you). Peaceful removes hostile mobs completely, which is great for relaxed building.
Seed: an optional number or string of characters that generates a specific world. Leave it blank for a random world, or enter a known seed if you want a particular terrain. You'll find plenty of interesting seeds online, with villages near the spawn point or close to interesting biomes.
Generate Structures: leave it on if you want villages, fortresses, dungeons and other natural structures. Turning it off leaves the world empty, which is only useful in very specific scenarios.
Allow Cheats: turning on commands (for example /gamemode, /tp, /give) can help beginners, but it disables achievements. We recommend playing without cheats at first, so every success feels more satisfying.

Tip: To start with, play on the default settings: Normal Survival without cheats. That gives you the fullest Minecraft experience. You can always lower the difficulty later in the world settings if it gets too hard. If you're worried about your first night, go to the next chapter, where we explain step by step how to survive it.

Troubleshooting

If you run into problems launching the game, here are the most common fixes. If the launcher won't start, make sure you have the latest version of Java installed: the launcher installs it automatically, but sometimes it's worth updating it by hand. If performance is low, lower the Render Distance in the game settings from the default 12 chunks to 8 or even 6. Turn off clouds and Smooth Lighting, and if that doesn't help, install Sodium (mentioned above). Our site also has dedicated guides to crafting and enchanting, which will come in handy once you've mastered the basics.