Have you ever experienced the frustration of an unresponsive Minecraft Launcher, hindering your gaming experience? Whether it’s persistent crashes, unexplained errors, or lagging performance, it might be time to consider a fresh start by uninstalling and reinstalling the launcher. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of uninstalling the Minecraft Launcher on your computer, ensuring a seamless and rejuvenated gaming experience once you reinstall it.
Before embarking on this uninstallation journey, it’s crucial to understand the potential implications. Uninstalling the Minecraft Launcher will not affect your existing Minecraft game files or worlds. However, it will remove any custom settings or profiles you have created within the launcher. Therefore, we recommend taking a moment to back up any critical settings or customizations you wish to preserve before proceeding.
With the necessary preparations made, let’s dive into the uninstallation process. The specific steps may vary slightly depending on your operating system, but the general principles remain the same. For Windows users, navigate to the Control Panel and select “Programs and Features.” Locate the Minecraft Launcher entry in the list, click on it to highlight it, and then click the “Uninstall” button. On macOS, open the Applications folder, locate the Minecraft Launcher application, drag and drop it onto the Trash icon in your Dock, and then empty the Trash. Once the uninstallation is complete, you can restart your computer for good measure before reinstalling the Minecraft Launcher and rekindling your gaming adventures.
Identify the Minecraft Launcher Location
Windows
To locate the Minecraft Launcher on Windows, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “%appdata%\.minecraft” into the Run dialog box and click OK.
- In the Minecraft folder that opens, look for a file named “minecraft-launcher.exe“.
| Location | File Name |
|---|---|
| %appdata%\.minecraft | minecraft-launcher.exe |
macOS
To locate the Minecraft Launcher on macOS, follow these steps:
- Click on the Finder icon in the Dock.
- Select Applications from the left-hand menu.
- Scroll down and look for the Minecraft Launcher app.
| Location | File Name |
|---|---|
| /Applications | Minecraft Launcher.app |
Linux
To locate the Minecraft Launcher on Linux, follow these steps:
- Open a Terminal window.
- Type the command “locate minecraft-launcher” and press Enter.
- The command will display the location of the Minecraft Launcher file.
| Location | File Name |
|---|---|
| Varies | minecraft-launcher |
Uninstall from Control Panel
To remove Minecraft Launcher through the Control Panel, adhere to the following detailed instructions:
1. Access the Control Panel
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Click on the Windows “Start” button.
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Type “Control Panel” in the search bar.
*
Select “Control Panel” from the search results.
2. Locate and Select Minecraft Launcher
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In the Control Panel window, click on “Uninstall a program” under the “Programs” section.
*
A list of installed programs will appear. Scroll down and locate “Minecraft Launcher”.
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Select Minecraft Launcher and click on the “Uninstall” button.
3. Confirm Uninstall
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A confirmation window will pop up. Click on “Yes” to confirm the uninstallation.
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The uninstallation process will commence. Wait until it is complete.
4. Additional Cleanup
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After the uninstallation is finished, it is recommended to restart your computer.
*
You may also want to manually delete any remaining Minecraft Launcher-related files and folders. These can be found in the following locations:
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft |
Main Minecraft directory |
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Mojang |
Minecraft Launcher data |
Delete Residual Files
After you’ve uninstalled Minecraft Launcher through the Control Panel or System Preferences, there may be residual files left over that can cause issues when you try to reinstall the program. To thoroughly remove all traces of Minecraft Launcher, it’s important to delete these residual files. Here’s how to do it:
Windows
1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the following folder:
“`
%appdata%\.minecraft
“`
2. Delete the following files and folders:
| File/Folder | Description |
|---|---|
| launcher_profiles.json | Stores your Minecraft profile information |
| launcher_accounts.json | Stores your Minecraft account information |
| launcher_log.txt | Contains the Minecraft Launcher log files |
| assets | Contains the game assets |
| libraries | Contains the game libraries |
| versions | Contains the different versions of Minecraft |
macOS
1. Open Finder and navigate to the following folder:
“`
~/Library/Application Support/minecraft
“`
2. Delete the following files and folders:
| File/Folder | Description |
|---|---|
| launcher_profiles.json | Stores your Minecraft profile information |
| launcher_accounts.json | Stores your Minecraft account information |
| launcher_log.txt | Contains the Minecraft Launcher log files |
| assets | Contains the game assets |
| libraries | Contains the game libraries |
| versions | Contains the different versions of Minecraft |
Uninstall from the Start Menu
To uninstall Minecraft Launcher from the Start Menu, follow these steps:
1. Open the Start Menu by clicking on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of your screen.
2. Type “Minecraft Launcher” in the search bar and select the Minecraft Launcher app from the results.
3. Right-click on the Minecraft Launcher app and select “Uninstall” from the pop-up menu.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process. You may need to restart your computer after uninstalling Minecraft Launcher.
Here’s a more detailed explanation of the fourth step:
a. In the “Uninstall a program” window, select Minecraft Launcher from the list of installed programs.
b. Click on the “Uninstall” button at the top of the window. A confirmation dialog box will appear.
c. Click on the “Yes” button to confirm that you want to uninstall Minecraft Launcher.
d. The uninstallation process will begin. Once it is complete, click on the “Close” button to exit the “Uninstall a program” window.
Use an Uninstaller Tool
Many apps, including the Minecraft Launcher, come with their own uninstaller programs that allow for a clean and easy removal process. Here’s how to use an uninstaller tool to remove the Minecraft Launcher:
1. Locate the Uninstaller Tool
Go to the folder where you installed the Minecraft Launcher. The default installation path is usually “C:\Program Files\Minecraft Launcher.” Look for a file named “uninstall.exe” or something similar.
2. Run the Uninstaller Tool
Double-click the uninstaller tool to launch it. The uninstaller may ask for administrator privileges; if so, click “Yes” to continue.
3. Follow the On-Screen Instructions
The uninstaller will guide you through the removal process. Simply follow the on-screen instructions and click “Uninstall” to remove the Minecraft Launcher.
4. Restart Your Computer (Optional)
Although not always necessary, restarting your computer after uninstalling the Minecraft Launcher is recommended. It ensures a complete removal and prevents any leftover files from interfering with future installations.
5. Verify the Removal (Optional)
To verify that the Minecraft Launcher has been successfully removed, you can check the following locations:
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| C:\Program Files\Minecraft Launcher | Default installation folder |
| C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Minecraft | Application data folder |
| Windows Search | Search for “Minecraft Launcher” |
If you cannot find any traces of the Minecraft Launcher in these locations, then it has been successfully uninstalled.
Remove the Minecraft Folder
Closing the Minecraft Launcher and navigating to the respective folder will allow you to remove the Minecraft folder. Below is a detailed guide on how to remove the Minecraft folder on different operating systems:
**Windows:**
- Navigate to the Minecraft folder: %appdata%/.minecraft. You can access this folder by typing the path into the Run dialog box (Windows key + R) or by pasting it into the address bar of Windows Explorer.
- Select all of the files and folders in the Minecraft folder.
- Press the Delete key on your keyboard or right-click and select “Delete” from the context menu.
**macOS:**
- Open Finder and navigate to the following folder: ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft.
- Select all of the files and folders in the minecraft folder.
- Press the Delete key on your keyboard or right-click and select “Move to Trash” from the context menu.
**Linux:**
- Open a terminal window.
- Type the following command: rm -rf ~/.minecraft
- Press Enter and provide your password if prompted.
Clear AppData and Roaming Folders
To manually clear the AppData and Roaming folders, follow these steps:
- Close the Minecraft Launcher if it is running.
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type %appdata% in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
- Navigate to the .minecraft folder and delete it.
- Type %roaming% in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
- Navigate to the .minecraft folder and delete it.
- Restart your computer.
Note: Deleting these folders will also remove any saved worlds, screenshots, and other Minecraft-related data. Be sure to back up any important files before proceeding.
Additional Tips
- If you are having trouble deleting the .minecraft folder, you may need to take ownership of the folder.
- You can also use a third-party uninstaller program to remove the Minecraft Launcher and its associated files.
- If you are still having problems uninstalling the Minecraft Launcher, you can contact Mojang support for assistance.
Table of File Locations
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| AppData | %appdata%\.minecraft |
| Roaming | %roaming%\.minecraft |
Uninstall Minecraft Java Edition
Windows 10 and 11
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Press the Windows key and search for “Control Panel.”
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In Control Panel, select “Programs and Features.”
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Find “Minecraft Launcher” in the list of programs and select it.
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Click “Uninstall” and follow the prompts to remove the launcher.
macOS
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Open the Applications folder.
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Find the “Minecraft Launcher” app and drag it to the Trash.
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Empty the Trash to complete the uninstall.
Linux
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Open the terminal window (e.g., bash, zsh).
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Run the following command to remove the launcher:
sudo apt remove minecraft-launcher
Manual Removal of Leftover Files and Folders
After uninstalling the launcher using the above methods, it’s recommended to manually remove any leftover files and folders to ensure a thorough cleanup:
| Platform | Folder Path |
|---|---|
| Windows | %appdata%\.minecraft\launcher_profiles |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/launcher_profiles |
| Linux | ~/.minecraft/launcher_profiles |
Remove Launcher Files from Mac
To remove leftover launcher files on Mac, follow these steps:
1. Quit Minecraft Launcher
If it’s running, close the Minecraft Launcher application.
2. Open Applications Folder
Click on the Finder icon in your dock and select “Applications” from the left sidebar.
3. Find Minecraft Launcher
Scroll through the list of applications until you find “Minecraft Launcher.”
4. Move to Trash
Drag and drop the “Minecraft Launcher” icon to the Trash in your dock.
5. Empty Trash
Right-click on the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash” to permanently remove the launcher files.
6. Delete Support Files
Open Finder and press Command + Shift + G to bring up the “Go to Folder” dialog box.
7. Navigate to Support Folder
Type ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft and hit enter.
8. Delete Minecraft Folder
If present, delete the “minecraft” folder within the “Application Support” folder.
9. Remove Minecraft Launcher Preferences
Go back to the “Go to Folder” dialog box and type ~/Library/Preferences. Hit enter.
Locate and delete the following files if they exist:
| File Name |
|---|
| com.mojang.minecraft-launcher.plist |
| net.minecraft.minecraftlauncher.plist |
Check for Complete Uninstallation
After following the uninstallation steps outlined above, it’s crucial to verify if Minecraft Launcher was successfully removed from your system. Here’s a detailed guide to check for complete uninstallation:
- Open Windows File Explorer by pressing Windows Key + E.
- Navigate to the following directories and ensure there are no Minecraft-related files or folders:
- C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft Launcher
- C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft
- C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe
- Open the Windows Registry Editor by pressing Windows Key + R and typing “regedit”.
- Navigate to the following registry keys and delete them if they exist:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mojang\Minecraft Launcher
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mojang\Minecraft Launcher
- Restart your computer.
- Search for “Minecraft Launcher” in the Windows Start menu or search bar. If no results appear, the uninstallation is complete.
- Check your Recycle Bin and empty it if it contains any Minecraft-related files.
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Close Minecraft Launcher if it is open.
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Open the Control Panel.
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Click on Programs and Features.
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Find Minecraft Launcher in the list of programs.
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Click on Uninstall.
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Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation.
By following these steps, you can ensure that Minecraft Launcher has been completely removed from your system.
How to Uninstall Minecraft Launcher
If you no longer want Minecraft Launcher on your computer, you can uninstall it. Here’s a step-by-step guide to uninstall Minecraft Launcher:
People Also Ask
How do I uninstall Minecraft Launcher on Mac?
Open Finder and click on Applications.
Find Minecraft Launcher and drag it to the Trash.
Empty the Trash.
How do I uninstall Minecraft Launcher on Linux?
Open a terminal window.
Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo apt remove minecraft-launcher
When prompted, enter your password and press Enter.
How do I reinstall Minecraft Launcher?
Go to the Minecraft website and click on the Download button.
Choose your operating system and click on the Download button again.
Once the download is complete, open the file and follow the prompts to install Minecraft Launcher.
