How to Install Minecraft Clients and Launchers

Minecraft Clients Install guide
Minecraft clients and launchers can be installed in different ways depending on how they are packaged. Most files are provided as:

  • .exe installer
  • .jar file – requires Forge or Fabric
  • .zip archive

Important: On our website, all downloads come as ZIP archives. You must extract the ZIP file before installation.

Before You Start

  • Make sure Minecraft Java Edition is installed.
  • Log into the official Minecraft Launcher at least once.
  • Extract ZIP files before opening any files inside them.

To extract ZIP files on Windows – right click and choose Extract All.

Method 1 – Installing .exe Clients

Some clients are distributed as standalone applications.

Steps

  1. Download the ZIP archive from our website.
  2. Extract the ZIP file.
  3. Open the extracted folder.
  4. Locate the .exe file.
  5. Double click to run the installer.
  6. Follow the installation instructions.
  7. Launch the client from your desktop.
  8. Log in and choose a version.

How to Install Minecraft Clients

Note: If Windows shows a security warning, click More info – Run anyway. Always extract before running the installer.

Method 2 – Installing .jar Clients – Forge or Fabric Required

If the file inside the ZIP is a .jar, you need a mod loader.

Installing Forge

  1. Download the official Forge installer for your Minecraft version.
  2. Run the installer.
  3. Select Install Client.
  4. Open Minecraft Launcher.
  5. Select the Forge profile.
  6. Click Play once to create the mods folder.

Minecraft Launchers how to install

Installing Fabric

  1. Download the official Fabric installer.
  2. Run the installer.
  3. Select your Minecraft version.
  4. Click Install.
  5. Open Minecraft Launcher.
  6. Select the Fabric profile.
  7. Click Play once.

Adding the .jar File

  1. Download and extract the ZIP archive from our site.
  2. Locate the .jar file.
  3. Press Win + R and type %appdata%.
  4. Open the .minecraft folder.
  5. Open the mods folder – create it if it does not exist.
  6. Move the .jar file into the mods folder.
  7. Launch Minecraft using the correct loader profile.

Common Installation Mistakes

  • Wrong Minecraft version.
  • Using Fabric file on Forge or vice versa.
  • Forgetting to extract ZIP archives.
  • Placing files in the wrong folder.

Quick Overview

File Type Requires Installation
.exe Nothing extra Extract – Run installer
.jar Forge or Fabric Place in mods folder
.zip Extraction tool Must extract first

Final Advice

If the file contains an installer – run it. If it contains a .jar file – install Forge or Fabric and place it in the mods folder. If it is a ZIP file – always extract it first.