How to Update Minecraft on Windows 10 (PC) – Step by Step Tutorial
Years after its release, Minecraft remains one of the most beloved survival games in the world, with over 131 million active users as of February 2021. It regularly gets updated so that you can enjoy new features, improvements, and bug fixes.
It means that, if you want to take advantage of the latest game content, you should frequently update Minecraft. Unfortunately, many users have trouble updating Minecraft on Windows 10, so we’re here to set things straight and help you every step of the way.
How to update Minecraft on Windows 10
It depends on which game edition you have installed: Minecraft Java Edition or Minecraft for Windows 10. Either way, the update steps are incredibly simple and should not impose any difficulties whatsoever.
It’s easy to update Minecraft on other platforms, too, as confirmed by the Minecraft Help Center. The most significant difference is that, since the Java edition supports mods, there’s a small possibility that an update will break the mods and you will have to reinstall them.
Java edition
The Minecraft Java version doesn’t actually involve an updating operation since the update is performed automatically every time you open the Minecraft Launcher and connect to the Internet.
Nevertheless, you can be certain that you are always running the latest update with a simple trick:
- Open the Minecraft Launcher
- Click the dropdown menu next to the Play button
- Select Latest release
- Click Play
It’s a good idea to stay away from the Latest snapshot edition. Although it might get you a bit closer to new Minecraft features, it’s not worth it. Snapshot versions are typically unstable, so it might end up crashing your game.
Microsoft Store version
The Minecraft app for Windows 10 should also get updated automatically, every time Microsoft Store connects to the Internet or when your computer is in standby mode. In case that doesn’t happen on your PC, here’s how to perform a manual update:
- Press the Win key, search for Microsoft Store, and open this app
- Click the More button (three dots) on the top-right corner
- Go to Downloads and updates
- At Available updates, locate the Minecraft app and click the download button next to it
- Alternatively, you can click Get updates to update all your Microsoft Store apps
How to fix Minecraft not updating on Windows 10
If the Minecraft app for Microsoft Store won’t update, there are several solutions you can try to fix this problem without turning to professional help. Here’s what you should do:
1. Run Windows Update
You should keep Windows 10 updated to the latest version so that it brings you the newest improvements, hotfixes, and security patches. Besides, Microsoft Store won’t work properly if Windows is outdated. Here’s how to make it happen:
- Click the Start button, type Check for updates, and press Enter
- Windows should automatically start looking for updates. If it doesn’t, click the Check for updates button
- If it finds anything, click the Download button
- Try to update Minecraft afterward
2. Use the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
Windows 10 provides a built-in troubleshooter for Microsoft Store apps. It fixes common problems that prevent your apps from running and updating, so it’s definitely worth a shot, especially since it applies fixes automatically. Here’s how to use it:
- Right-click the Start button and go to Settings
- Click Update & Security
- Select Troubleshoot and click Additional troubleshooters
- Select Windows Store Apps and click Run the troubleshooter
3. Use the Windows Update troubleshooter
Similar to the previous solution, a troubleshooter is available for repairing common problems that prevent Windows Update from working correctly. Since Windows Update is directly connected to Microsoft Store, you should fix any problems to make sure that you can update Minecraft for Windows 10. Here’s what you need to do:
- Right-click the Start button and select Settings
- Head over to Update & Security
- Click Troubleshoot on the left side
- Click Additional troubleshooters
- Select Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter
4. Restart the Windows Update service
A special service is responsible for Windows Update, which must always be running in the background. Otherwise, you can end up with various computer issues and failure to update Microsoft Store apps like Minecraft.
- Press the Windows key, search for Services, and open this app
- Locate and select Windows Update
- Right-click this entry and go to Properties
- Stay in the General tab
- Set Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start)
- If the Service status says Stopped, click the Start button
- Click Apply and exit
- Find and right-click Microsoft Store Install Service
- Click Stop, wait a few seconds, then click Start
- Try to update Minecraft now
5. Reset the Minecraft app
A good way to fix Minecraft issues is by resetting the app for Windows 10. Here’s how to easily make it happen:
- Click the Start button, search for the Minecraft app, and select App settings
- Scroll down and click the Reset button
- Click it again to confirm
- Try updating Minecraft now
6. Reinstall the Minecraft app
If resetting won’t help, then you should reinstall Minecraft for Windows 10. To make this happen, you have to first uninstall the app and then unpack it again from Microsoft Store. Here’s how:
- Press the Win key, type Minecraft, and click App settings
- Go down to the bottom of the screen
- Click Uninstall and then again to confirm
- Launch Microsoft Store
- Search for Minecraft and click Install. It will automatically install the latest version
7. Reinstall Minecraft Java Edition
Minecraft Java Edition can be reinstalled the traditional way: removing them from the list of installed applications and then downloading and installing the tool again. You don’t need to also reinstall Java.
- Right-click the Start button and go to Apps and Features
- Locate and select Minecraft Launcher
- Click Uninstall and then again to confirm
- Follow the step-by-step removal instructions
- Download Minecraft Java Edition
- Install the game on your PC. You will automatically receive the newest version
Conclusion
To sum up, you can easily update Minecraft on Windows 10, whether you prefer the Java or the Microsoft Store edition. And, if you encounter any difficulties when attempting to update the app, you should update Windows 10 to the previous version and use the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.
It’s also a good idea to run the Windows Update troubleshooter, restart the Windows Update service, as well as reset or reinstall the Minecraft app.
Did you stumble upon any errors when trying to update Minecraft? Let us know in the comment section below.
