Is Minecraft on Steam?

No. PC players get the Minecraft Launcher from Minecraft.net. Consoles use their own stores.

Do I need a Microsoft account to play?

Yes. Minecraft says all players have needed a Microsoft account for all versions since July 25, 2022.

Will Minecraft Java still run on my old PC?

It should still launch, but Mojang says performance and visuals are not guaranteed below the new minimum, and future updates may cause problems.

How much RAM does Minecraft Java need?

At least 8 GB with a dedicated GPU or 12 GB with integrated graphics. Mojang recommends 16 GB for 1080p at 60 FPS.

What is Vulkan and why does Java list it?

Vulkan is a graphics technology. Mojang is moving Java Edition away from OpenGL toward Vulkan, so a graphics card with Vulkan 1.3 support is now part of the requirements.

Minecraft System Requirements 2026: Java and Bedrock on PC

Minecraft Java Edition raised its hardware requirements on July 21, 2026: it now asks for 8 GB of RAM and a Vulkan 1.3 graphics card at the minimum. Mojang says older PCs should still start the game, but smooth performance is no longer promised below the new minimum. Java figures below come from Minecraft.net and were re-checked on October 10, 2026. They can change.

Key takeaways

Java minimum: 64-bit system, 4-core CPU, 8 GB RAM with a dedicated GPU (12 GB with integrated graphics) and a Vulkan 1.3 GPU with 2 GB VRAM. The target is 1080p at 30 FPS on the Fast preset.
Java recommended: 16 GB RAM, a stronger modern CPU and a GPU with 6 GB VRAM, aiming for 1080p at 60 FPS on Fancy.
Bedrock on PC needs much less. Windows 10 and 4 GB RAM is the minimum.
Some older graphics cards, older integrated graphics and older Intel-based Macs now fall below the Java minimum.

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Requirements table

	Java min	Java recommended	Bedrock min	Bedrock recommended
OS	Windows 10 64-bit, macOS 12+, Linux 64-bit	Windows 11, macOS 14+, Linux 64-bit	Windows 10 (19041.0+)	Windows 10 (19041.0+)
Memory	8 GB (12 GB integrated GPU)	16 GB	4 GB	8 GB
Graphics	Vulkan 1.3 GPU, 2 GB VRAM	6 GB VRAM, such as RTX 2060	Intel HD 4000 or Radeon R5	GeForce 940M or Radeon HD 8570D
Storage	2 GB	4 GB	4 GB	8 GB

The Bedrock and operating system rows come from the Minecraft.net store pages as we recorded them earlier. The Java memory, CPU, VRAM and Vulkan figures were confirmed again in Mojang's July 21 article.

Why did Java change?

Mojang says the old numbers were based on old hardware and old graphics technology. Minecraft is over 17 years old, its worlds and features have grown, and the company wants a clear baseline so it can modernize the game. Java is moving away from OpenGL toward Vulkan, which is why Vulkan 1.3 is now part of the list. Mojang also says the updated requirements are still low compared with many big modern games, so you do not need a high-end gaming PC.

What happens on weak hardware?

Mojang says Java should still launch on hardware below the minimum today. Performance and visual quality are no longer guaranteed, and hardware without the required support may struggle or fail to launch in the future. If you already play without problems, you will probably notice no immediate change.

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Quick self-check: can my PC run it?

Press the Windows key, type dxdiag and press Enter. The System tab shows your RAM and CPU. The Display tab shows your graphics card.
Search for your graphics card name plus "Vulkan 1.3". Most GPUs from the last several years support it, and your driver must be up to date.
Count your VRAM. Dedicated cards list it in the Display tab. Integrated graphics share system RAM, which is why Mojang asks for 12 GB.
Compare with the table. If you miss only one line, try the Fast graphics preset and a lower render distance first.

Settings that help on older PCs

Lower render distance to 8 or 10 chunks.
Choose the Fast graphics preset.
Turn off fancy extras like heavy shaders. Shaders put much more load on the GPU than the base game.
Close the browser and other apps. Java needs the RAM.
Update your graphics driver.

How to install Minecraft on PC

Go to the official Minecraft.net download page and get the Minecraft Launcher.
Open the launcher and sign in with a Microsoft account. All versions need one.
No account yet? Choose the option to create a new Microsoft account and follow the steps. You will pick a gamertag.
Buy the game if you do not own it, then press Play in the launcher.
Choose Java or Bedrock if you own the bundle.

Minecraft is not on Steam. PC players get the launcher from Minecraft.net. Children under 16 in the US and EU need a child account linked to a parent. See our parents guide.

Java or Bedrock for a weak PC?

Edition choice matters more than most settings. Java has mods, custom servers and snapshots, but it now asks for 8 GB of RAM and Vulkan. Bedrock runs on Windows 10 with 4 GB of RAM, plays with console and phone friends and has the Marketplace. If your main goal is to build and explore with a friend on a phone or console, Bedrock is the lighter and easier route. If you want the biggest modding scene, plan for a PC near the recommended list.