The fastest way depends on which launcher you use
Minecraft has two main versions: Java Edition (for Windows, Mac, and Linux) and Bedrock Edition (for Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile). If you own one, you cannot play the other without buying it separately. Within each version, you can also switch between release versions — the current stable build, older builds, or experimental snapshots.
The method to change versions depends on which launcher you have. The official Microsoft Launcher handles both Java and Bedrock on Windows. Java Edition also has the older Launcher (the one with the dirt block icon), which some players still use. Each one has a different menu for picking your version.
Switching versions takes about 30 seconds once you know where the button is. The game downloads the version files automatically the first time you launch it, which can take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.
Key Takeaways
- Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are separate purchases and cannot be switched between — you can only switch versions within the one you own.
- In the Microsoft Launcher, click the three dots next to the Play button and select the version you want from the dropdown menu.
- In the older Java Launcher, click the arrow next to your profile name at the bottom left and choose a version from the list.
- Snapshots and older versions read automatically when you launch them, but may contain bugs or missing features.
- Your worlds and settings stay the same when you switch between versions of the same edition.
Switching versions in the Microsoft Launcher
Open the Microsoft Launcher and find the Minecraft tile. On the right side of the tile, you will see a Play button. Click the three dots (the menu icon) directly to the left of the Play button.
A dropdown menu will appear with options including "Version" near the top. Click on Version. You will see a list of available builds: the current release, older releases, and snapshots (if you have snapshot access turned on in your settings). Select the version you want to play.
Once you select a version, click the Play button. The launcher will read the version files if you do not already have them installed. This can take a few minutes on a slower connection. After the read finishes, the game will launch.
Switching versions in the older Java Launcher
If you are using the older Launcher (the one with the dirt block icon), look at the bottom left corner of the window. You will see your profile name with a small arrow next to it. Click that arrow.
A dropdown menu will show all the versions you have access to. The current release is usually at the top. Below it you will see older versions, and at the bottom you may see snapshots if you have enabled them. Click the version you want.
Click the Play button in the center of the launcher. The game will read the version files and launch. If you have played that version before, it will start much faster because the files are already on your device.
What happens to your worlds when you change versions
Your worlds and player data stay on your device when you switch versions. However, not all worlds work in all versions. A world created in a newer version may not load in an older version, especially if it uses blocks or features that did not exist yet.
Switching from an older version to a newer one usually works fine. The newer version will update the world file automatically when you load it. You may see new blocks or terrain generation at the edges of explored areas, but your buildings and inventory will be intact.
If you want to be safe, make a backup of your world before switching to an older version. In the launcher, you can usually right-click a world and select "Edit" or "Backup" to save a copy.
Snapshots and experimental versions
Snapshots are test builds that Mojang releases weekly during development. They contain new features before they are officially released, but they can also have bugs. Your worlds are safe in snapshots — you can always load them in the stable release afterward — but the snapshot itself may crash or behave unexpectedly.
To access snapshots, you need to turn on snapshot access in your launcher settings. In the Microsoft Launcher, go to Settings and look for "Snapshots" or "Experimental Features". In the older Java Launcher, click "Edit Profile" and check the box for "Enable experimental versions".
Once enabled, snapshots will appear in your version list. They are labeled with a date and snapshot number, like "23w41a". You can switch back to the stable release at any time.
Troubleshooting version switching problems
If a version will not launch, the most common cause is incomplete read. Close the launcher completely and open it again. The launcher will resume the read. If it still fails, you can delete the version files and re-read them. In the Microsoft Launcher, go to Settings, then "Installed content", find the version, and click "Uninstall". Then select it again from the version list to read it fresh.
If you see an error about Java or missing files, your device may not have the right Java version installed. Java Edition requires Java 8 or newer. You can read it free from java.com. After installing Java, restart your launcher and try again.
If a world will not load in a version you switched to, try loading it in the version you created it in first. If it loads there, the issue is that the world is too new for the older version. Switch back to a newer version or create a new world in the older version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play the same world in both Java and Bedrock?
No. Java and Bedrock are completely separate games with different world formats. You cannot transfer a world between them. However, some tools exist online that can convert worlds, though the results are not always perfect.
Will switching versions delete my worlds?
No. Your worlds stay on your device no matter which version you launch. However, worlds created in newer versions may not load in older versions if they use newer blocks or features.
Do I need to read the game again when I switch versions?
Not completely. The launcher downloads only the version files you do not already have. If you have played that version before, it launches when ready. The first time you play a new version, the read takes a few minutes.
What is the difference between a snapshot and a release?
A snapshot is a test build with new features that may have bugs. A release is the stable version that most players use. Snapshots come out weekly during development, and features from snapshots eventually move into releases.
Can I play snapshots with my friends?
Only if your friends are also playing the same snapshot. Snapshots are not compatible with release versions. If your friend is on a release version and you are on a snapshot, you cannot join the same server or world together.