How to Change Your Minecraft Version

Back up your worlds before you change anything

Changing the Minecraft version is safe for the game itself, since the Launcher manages the files automatically. The risk is to your worlds. Opening a world in a newer version converts it irreversibly: new chunks generate with the new biomes and structures. Going back to an older version can corrupt the world: new blocks disappear and chunks reset.

Rule: always copy a world before opening it in a different version.

Where your worlds are

Windows: press Win+R, type %appdata%\.minecraft\saves and press Enter.
macOS: Finder → Go → Go to Folder → ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/saves.
Linux: ~/.minecraft/saves.

Inside the saves folder, each world has its own folder (folder name = world name). Copy the world folder to your desktop, an external drive or the cloud. If something goes wrong, paste it back and the world returns to the state it was in before the change.

Alternative: back up from inside the game

In Minecraft: Singleplayer → select the world → Edit → Make Backup. The game creates a .zip file in the backups folder (next to saves). It is quick and convenient, but a manual copy gives you full control over where the file ends up.

Changing the version in the Minecraft Launcher (step by step)

The official Minecraft Launcher lets you create separate installations (profiles), each with a different version of the game. Switching between versions comes down to choosing a profile and clicking Play.

Step 1: Open the Launcher

Start the Minecraft Launcher and sign in with your Microsoft account. Make sure Minecraft: Java Edition is selected in the left panel.

Step 2: Go to Installations

Click the Installations tab in the top menu. You will see your existing profiles. By default there is Latest release.

Step 3: Create a new installation

Click New installation. Fill in:

Name: anything that helps you recognize it (for example "1.20.4 Survival" or "Snapshot tests").
Version: click the dropdown and pick the version you want. By default only stable releases are shown. Snapshots and historical versions need an extra step (see below).
Game directory: optional, but recommended: a separate folder for each version (explained in the section on separate folders).
Resolution: optional, the default is fine.

Step 4: Save and play

Click Create. Go back to the Play tab. Next to the big green Play button there is a dropdown: pick your new installation. Click Play. The Launcher downloads the files for the version you chose (the first launch takes 1-3 minutes) and starts the game.

Switching between versions

Once you have 3-4 installations, switching takes one click: Play tab → dropdown next to the button → pick an installation → Play. The Launcher downloads any missing files and starts the right version. Your installations live side by side and never delete each other.

Snapshots and historical versions

Snapshots

Snapshots are development versions: weekly test builds with new features, changes and bugs. Mojang releases them ahead of every major update. Playing a snapshot lets you try new mechanics before the official release.

How to enable snapshots:

In the Launcher, go to the Installations tab.
Tick the Snapshots checkbox at the top of the screen.
Now when you create a new installation, you will see snapshots in the version list (named like "24w33a": year + week + letter).

Warning: snapshots can be unstable. A world opened in a snapshot may have problems after you move back to a stable release. Never open important worlds in snapshots: use a copy or a fresh test world.

Historical versions (alpha, beta, old)

You can even play very old builds such as Classic or Alpha 1.2.6.

In the Launcher settings (the gear icon in the bottom-left corner), turn on the option to show historical versions (Show historical versions of Minecraft: Java Edition in the Launcher).
When you create an installation, alpha, beta and old releases now appear in the version list.

Old versions lack many features of modern Minecraft: no sprinting, no hunger, different crafting recipes, different terrain. It is a fun trip down memory lane, but do not try to open your current worlds in them.

A separate folder for each version

By default all installations use the same .minecraft folder. That means worlds, settings, screenshots and mods are shared. The problem: mods from 1.20 get loaded when you launch 1.21 and cause a crash.

The fix: set a separate Game directory when you create an installation.

In practice:

Create a main folder, for example C:\Minecraft-Profiles\ (Windows) or ~/Minecraft-Profiles/ (Mac/Linux).
Inside it, create subfolders such as 1.21-vanilla, 1.20.4-fabric and 1.19-forge.
When you create an installation in the Launcher, click Browse next to Game directory and pick the right subfolder.

The result: each version has its own worlds (saves), mods, resource packs, settings (options.txt) and screenshots. No conflicts, no crashes from incompatible mods.

OptiFine: installing it on any version

OptiFine is the most popular mod for improving performance and adding shaders. It is available for most Minecraft versions.

Step-by-step installation

Download OptiFine: go to optifine.net → pick the build that matches your Minecraft version.
Run the installer: double-click the downloaded .jar file. If Java is not installed, get it from adoptium.net. The OptiFine installer detects the .minecraft folder automatically.
Click Install: OptiFine creates a new profile in the Launcher (named OptiFine).
Start the Launcher: on the Play tab, select the OptiFine profile and click Play.

OptiFine is a standalone mod and does not need Forge or Fabric. But if you want to use OptiFine together with other Forge mods, install Forge first and then drop the OptiFine .jar into the mods/ folder.

Alternative: Sodium (Fabric)

If you use Fabric, install Sodium instead of OptiFine: a free, open-source performance mod. Sodium + Iris (shaders) + Lithium give better performance than OptiFine and are fully compatible with other Fabric mods.

Fabric: changing versions with mods

Fabric is a lightweight mod loader, a platform for running mods. Fabric updates to new Minecraft versions within hours of release (Forge needs weeks to months).

Installing Fabric

Download the installer from fabricmc.net → Download → Download installer (Universal/.jar).
Run the installer (double-click the .jar).
Pick the Minecraft version (for example 1.21) and the install location. Click Install.
Fabric creates a new profile in the Launcher (named fabric-loader-X.X.X-1.21).
Download Fabric API from Modrinth, since most Fabric mods require it. Drop the .jar file into the mods/ folder in the game directory.

Changing your Fabric version

To move from Fabric 1.20.4 to 1.21, run the installer again and pick the new version. Fabric creates a new profile. Mods from 1.20.4 will not work on 1.21, so you need to download updated versions from Modrinth or CurseForge. Use a separate folder for each version (see the section on separate folders) to avoid conflicts.

Forge: changing versions with mods

Forge is the oldest and most feature-rich mod loader. Most classic mods (Create, JEI, Tinkers' Construct) run on Forge.

Installing Forge

Go to files.minecraftforge.net.
Pick a Minecraft version from the list on the left.
Download the Installer (not the MDK). Click Installer, wait 5 seconds on the AdFocus ad, then click SKIP.
Run the downloaded .jar file. Choose Install Client and click OK.
Forge creates a new profile in the Launcher.

Changing your Forge version

Forge for 1.20.4 is a separate installation from Forge for 1.21. Run the installer again with the version you want. Mods have to match the Forge version: a mod for Forge 1.20 will not work on Forge 1.21. Check compatibility on CurseForge or Modrinth.

NeoForge: the successor to Forge

In 2023, some of the Forge developers created NeoForge, a fork with faster updates and better compatibility. Installation works the same way: download the installer from neoforged.net, run it and pick a version.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I go back to an older Minecraft version?

Yes. In the Launcher you can pick any version, from the newest back to the first alpha builds. Opening a world from an older version in a newer one is safe (it is converted automatically). Opening a world from a newer version in an older one can corrupt it. Always make a backup.

How do I enable snapshots in the Minecraft Launcher?

Go to the Installations tab and tick the Snapshots checkbox at the top. Snapshots then show up in the version list when you create a new installation. Snapshots can be unstable and buggy, so do not open important worlds in them.

Do mods from one version work on another?

No. Mods are written for a specific Minecraft version and a specific mod loader (Fabric, Forge, NeoForge). A mod for Fabric 1.20.4 will not work on Fabric 1.21 or on Forge 1.20.4. When you change versions, download updated mods from Modrinth or CurseForge.

How do I install OptiFine on an older version?

Download the OptiFine build that matches your version from optifine.net. Run the installer (.jar). OptiFine creates a profile in the Launcher automatically. Select the OptiFine profile and play. On Fabric, use Sodium and Iris instead of OptiFine.

How do I back up a world before changing versions?

Open the .minecraft/saves folder (Windows: %appdata%\.minecraft\saves). Copy your world folder to a safe place. Alternatively, in the game: Singleplayer, select the world, Edit, Make Backup.

Does changing the version delete my worlds?

No. Changing the version does not delete any files. Your worlds stay in the saves folder. The risk is compatibility: a world opened in a newer version can have problems when you go back. So make a backup before every change.

Changing the Minecraft version is a simple operation, and the Launcher does most of the work for you. Remember three rules: (1) always copy a world before opening it in a different version, (2) use a separate folder for each installation, (3) mods must match the version and the mod loader. The rest is clicking Play.

If you are looking for mods for your new version, check our mod catalog. To see what is new in the latest snapshot, follow the news. And if you want to play with mods with friends, read the server setup guide for Forge or Fabric.