Imagine how cool it would be if you could get new materials and blocks in Minecraft, know what different enchantments do, and have better-looking graphics (and Pokemons). Minecraft mods allow you to do this and more.
In this tutorial, we go over the process of installing such mods on your PC and explain how mods improve your gameplay and keep it from becoming stale.
What Are Mods in Minecraft?
Minecraft is a game with endless possibilities, and you’ll find several Minecraft tips and tricks to enhance your Minecraft experience. However, adding mods to the game takes it to a whole new level.
Minecraft mods are small add-ons to the original Minecraft recipe, built by independent creators to alter different aspects of your Minecraft world.
Some mods change the visuals of the game, while others bring minor quality-of-life changes that make the vanilla Minecraft experience a little more efficient for the players. The changes can be as minor as some basic color corrections and as groundbreaking as an entire gameplay overhaul, complete with multiple texture packs, audio files, physics tweaks, and cutesy hats for your pet pig! They may also introduce entirely new concepts and gameplay elements, such as mobs, places, capes, and even dimensions to visit.
Apart from adding functionality to the game, many mods exist to fix various errors in the game, such as the Java sports multiple item duplication glitch or the TnT duplication glitch we have all misused.
How to Install Minecraft Mods on Windows
Minecraft does not have a direct option to add mods to the game, and most mods require a third-party mod installer. Forge is one of the most popular mod installers for Minecraft. Some mods, like OptiFine, can be installed directly without Forge. However, almost all mods require you to use Forge or Fabric. We cover three ways to install Minecraft mods that work on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
1. Use CurseForge
Follow the steps below to use the third-party application CurseForge to install mods.
- Go to the CurseForge website and download the Windows app.
- Run the installer and wait patiently for the the app to install.
- Select Minecraft from the list of games.
- Click on “Browse Modpacks” to continue.
- You’ll see another long list of Forge-based modpacks for Minecraft.
- Select the mod you want to install, then open its page and click on “Install.” Wait patiently for the modpack to install on your PC.
- Click on “Play” and Forge will automatically launch Minecraft from your PC with this mod enabled.
2. Install Supported Mods Directly
While some mods require you to use launchers, others mods like OptiFine can be installed directly. Some mods have the option to install directly or via a launcher. However, if you’re only looking for basic mods, it’s better to install them directly instead of using Forge. Follow these steps to install OptiFine directly:
- Download OptiFine and run the application.
- Once you’re on the launch screen, double-click your “.minecraft” folder. By default, the location should be “C:\Users\[User_Name]\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft.” Click “Install.”
Note: if you can’t see your AppData folder, click “View” in the menu bar and enable “Show -> Hidden Items.”
- Open your Minecraft launcher, select “OptiFine” from the profiles, and hit “Play.”
Also read: How to Get the OptiFine Cape in Minecraft
3. Use a Custom Launcher
Custom Minecraft launchers, like TLauncher, have built-in options that allow easy installation of mods. These launchers come with Forge preinstalled, so you don’t have to install it. Most launchers also have built-in options for OptiFine. The only downside with custom launchers is that they can take a while to load, but that’s always just a matter of a few seconds.
Our all-time favorite is TLauncher, as it comes with both Forge and OptiFine preinstalled. It also supports one-click installations that make things smooth and save a lot of time.
Follow the steps below to install mods using Tlauncher.
- Open TLauncher.
- Change your version to “Forge.”
- Hit “Enter the game” once it loads.
- Move the files of the mod you want to install to the “C:\Users\[User_Name]\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft\” folder.
- Once your mod is installed, it can be accessed via the Forge profile in TLauncher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Minecraft mods legal?
Minecraft mods are legal throughout the world. Mojang, the developer of Minecraft, allows mods to be used with Minecraft. However, selling modded Minecraft isn’t legal and can get you in serious trouble. You should be good to go if you’re modding just for fun or even distributing the mods for free. Using Minecraft mods on a single player won’t get you banned. However, using certain mods on a server can get you banned on that specific server.
Can Minecraft mods contain viruses?
It’s possible. Mods are especially easy targets for hackers, as they don’t require any additional authentication beyond what occurs when you first download and open the file. Anyone who has access to your Internet connection can potentially inject malicious code into one of these programs once it’s loaded onto your computer screen!
To protect yourself from viruses, only install mods from reliable sources, such as CurseForge and Modrinth. Install a mod from another site only if that website is dedicated to one specific mod and the mod isn’t available anywhere else.
Can I still play Minecraft without mods after installing them?
Yes, you can. To play without mods, change the profile to the one you used previously. Your mods will stay installed, but they won’t be available in any profile except the one you chose to install them on.
Which Minecraft mods are free?
Some of the best free Minecraft mods include:
- Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: adds a new quest line and a number of characters from the popular manga series.
- BetterFPS: optimizes the game’s performance.
- JourneyMap: provides an invaluable map tool for exploring the world.
- Too Much TNT: adds a variety of new explosives to the game.
- Waila: provides players with valuable information about the blocks around them.
- Aether: introduces a floating paradise filled with flying animals and plants.
Where is the Minecraft mods folder on my computer?
On a Windows PC, the Minecraft mods folder is located at the following path: “C:\Users\[User_Name]\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft\.” You can find this folder by opening the Start menu, then typing “%AppData%” into the search bar. Once you’ve opened the AppData folder, navigate to “Roaming -> .minecraft -> mods” to access your mods.
If you’re having trouble finding the AppData folder, you can also try opening it directly from your Minecraft installation folder: open the Minecraft launcher and click on “Edit Profile” then the “Open Game Dir” button.
Why does modded Minecraft take so long to load?
Modded Minecraft uses more resources than the vanilla version of the game. When you launch modded Minecraft, the game has to load all of the new assets and code for the mods. The process can take longer than loading the basic version, but is necessary to play with the new content. In addition, some mods are more resource-intensive than others, which can also contribute to longer load times.
Image credit: jovanmanic via Pixabay.
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