How to install Minecraft for free

After watching some videos on YouTube, you were intrigued by Minecraft. So you tried to google the game but, much to your chagrin, you found out that it is paid. Its price is not high but, before you put your hand to your wallet, you would like to know how to install Minecraft for free, so you can try it for a while without spending any money.

Well, I have some great news for you! By connecting to the official Minecraft website and creating a free account on the latter (a practice that can be completed in a minute) you can download a trial version of the game that lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes, equal to 5 days of the world of game. I believe that such a duration may be sufficient to evaluate the actual goodness of the title.

How do you say? Are you using a Mac and not a Windows PC? No problem. The Minecraft demo is compatible with all major computer operating systems: Windows, macOS and Linux, and its installation takes just a few minutes on each of these platforms. There is no complicated setup to go through, all you have to do is take some time off and follow the directions below. Have a good download and have fun!

Index

• Install Minecraft for free on computer
  • Hardware and software requirements
  • Create an account
  • Install Minecraft
  • Minecraft Classic from browser
• Install Minecraft for free on smartphones and tablets
• Install Minecraft for free on console

Install Minecraft for free on computer

You can install Minecraft for free on computers via its trial version. In the next chapters, I’ll explain how to install Minecraft Java Edition, on Windows PCs, macOS and Linux, and Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, available only on the Windows 10 Microsoft Store.

Hardware and software requirements

Before installing Minecraft you need to make sure that your PC meets all the requirements for the game to work. The hardware requirements are very low, and unless you have a very old computer, you shouldn’t have any problems running the game.

Minimum system requirements (Java Edition)

• CPU: Intel Core i3-3210 3.2 GHz / AMD A8-7600 APU 3.1 GHz or equivalent.
• RAM: 2GB.
• Integrated video card: Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge) or AMD Radeon R5 series (Kaveri line) with support for OpenGL 4.4.
• Dedicated video card: Nvidia GeForce 400 series or AMD Radeon HD 7000 series with support for OpenGL 4.4.
• HDD: at least 1GB of free space.
• Operating system: Windows 7 and later, macOS 10.9 Mavericks and later, Linux (distributions starting from 2014).
• Internet connection to download game files and play online.
• Latest version of  Java

Recommended system requirements (Java Edition)

• CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz / AMD A10-7800 APU 3.5 GHz or equivalent.
• RAM: 4GB.
• Video card: GeForce 700 series or AMD Radeon Rx 200 series with OpenGL 4.5 support.
• HDD: 4GB (SSD recommended).
• Operating system (64bit recommended): Windows 10, macOS 10.12 Sierra, Linux (distributions starting from 2014).
• Latest version of  Java.

Minimum system requirements (Windows 10 Edition)

• CPU: Intel i5-4690 / AMD A10-7800 or equivalent.
• RAM: 4GB.
• Video card: Intel HD Graphics 4000 or AMD Radeon R5.
• Operating system: Windows 10 version 14393.0 or later.
• Internet connection to download game files and play online.

Recommended system requirements (Windows 10 Edition)

• CPU: Intel i7-6500U / AMD A8-6600Ko equivalent.
• RAM: 4GB.
• Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 940M or AMD Radeon HD 8570D.
• Operating system: Windows 10 version 14393.0 or later.
• Internet connection to download game files and play online.

As for the software side, Minecraft is compatible with  Windows  (all versions starting from XP),  Mac OS X  and with all the main  Linux distros. All provided that the Java software is installed on the PC  (for Minecraft Java Edition ), which I told you about in this guide of mine.

You can also not proceed with the manual installation of Java, as it will be installed automatically by the Minecraft launcher, if it is not present on your PC.

Create an account

To download and install Minecraft for free,  you need to create an account, which is also free. As for Minecraft Java Edition, connected to the official Minecraft.net website, click on the Login item, located at the top right, and fill out the form that is proposed to you.

At this point, in the appropriate fields enter your e-mail address and the password you intend to use to access your account. Then use the drop-down menus below to indicate your date of birth.

Once you have completed filling out the form, press the Create account button, open the email you just received from Minecraft and paste the verification code inside the message on the game’s website. After that, click on the Verify button and decline the purchase of the full version of Minecraft (which costs 23.95 euros), closing the page.
Now you need to download the game demo. In this regard, I recommend that you read the instructions that you will find in the next chapter.

In case you want to try Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, you need to have a Microsoft account. If you don’t have one, I recommend that you check out my guide on how to create a Microsoft account.

Install Minecraft

Once you’ve created an eligible account for Minecraft, it’s time to download its evaluation version. If you want to test Minecraft Java Edition, what you need to do is go back to the Minecraft website and click on the ☰ icon, located at the top right.

At this point, select the Try and download item and press the Download button, on the page where it is redirected. By doing so, you will download the .exe file on Windows or .dmg on macOS.

On Windows, double-click on the .exe file and press the Next buttons twice consecutively and then click Install, Yes and Finish, on the installation screen. On macOS, on the other hand, all you have to do is double click on the .dmg file and drag the Minecraft icon into the macOS Applications folder.

After starting the game launcher, you will be prompted to log in with your Mojang account. Do this and press the Play demo button to start playing.

For Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, however, you simply have to start the Microsoft Store and use the search engine, reachable via the Search button at the top, to type the terms minecraft for windows 10. Click on the corresponding search result and, in its tab, click on the icon (…) . In the box that you see, click on Install evaluation version and that’s it.

If you’ve never associated your Microsoft account with the Windows 10 Microsoft Store, you’ll be prompted to do this. When the download and installation are complete, press the Play button to start Minecraft.

Minecraft Classic from browser

Don’t want to install any software to play Minecraft? I can accommodate you easily. Through this web page you can play a version of this video game, Minecraft Classic, even if it is obsolete, completely free of charge. You don’t need to install any software or add-ons – you need any web browser to browse the Internet.

Certainly Minecraft Classic does not reflect in the least the current gaming experience offered by this video game. It might, however, be of interest to you to play it because, in addition to sharing its soul, that is, the possibility of destroying and building this world of blocks, you can have fun online with other players, up to a maximum of nine.

If I have piqued your interest a little, all you have to do is reach the link I have provided and, on the home page, type your nickname in the appropriate text box. Before proceeding further, press the Copy button to copy the session link to share with your other friends. If you are ready, all you have to do is press the Start button to start playing.

Install Minecraft for free on smartphones and tablets

It would be convenient to be able to play Minecraft on the go with your smartphone or tablet, right? I bet it would be just as interesting to be able to play it for free. Did I guess? Unfortunately, however, Minecraft is available on Android and iOS only for a fee, respectively at 6.99 euros and 7.99 euros.

There is no free trial version available, although, until recently, there was one within everyone’s reach. After the removal of this version from the official stores, it was still possible to download the APK on Android from third-party sites, but I advise you not to carry out this practice, to avoid running into modified versions that could compromise the integrity of your smartphone or Tablet.

In this regard, what I can recommend is to buy it from the official stores available on your mobile devices or to turn your attention to video games that embody the soul of Minecraft, but which are a good free alternative. If so, you can check out the tips I gave you in my guide on how to download Minecraft Pocket Edition for free.

Install Minecraft for free on console

If you are interested in installing Minecraft for free on consoles, such as on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, you will be happy to know that I have all the information you need.

First, make sure your game console is connected to the internet. You will have to act through the Settings panel of your console, in the case of a Wi-Fi connection, or simply insert the network cable in the appropriate slot. In any case, I recommend that you consult my guides dedicated to Play Station 4 and Xbox One.

Once this is done, you need to open the PlayStation Store on PS4 or the Microsoft Store on Xbox One and use the search tool to search for  Minecraft. When you have identified it, select its card and press the installation button, relative to its demo version. You just have to wait for Minecraft to download and install to start playing. Easy, right?