Minecraft Windows 10 Edition and what it is today

Minecraft for Windows is the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft on a Windows PC. It is a separate game from Java Edition. Since 7 June 2022 the standard PC purchase includes both, launched from one launcher.

What Minecraft for Windows is

The Xbox store listing is titled "Minecraft for Windows", credits Mojang/Microsoft Studios as developer and shows a release date of 14 July 2015 (read 24 October 2026). The Minecraft Deluxe Collection page says it plainly: if you have Minecraft for Windows, you have Bedrock Edition. Mojang's help page lists Bedrock for "Windows 10 (and above)" and VR headsets.

The store listing mentions cross-platform play for up to eight players, Windows Mixed Reality and ray tracing. It also carries an EVERYONE 10+ rating and in-app purchases.

Where the Windows 10 name shows up

Mojang's help page on editions still writes "Windows 10 (and above)" for Bedrock. The sources we read give no rename date, so we do not date the change. What they show is the current name, Minecraft for Windows, and that it is Bedrock. For the wider picture of that edition, see what Minecraft Bedrock Edition is.

How it differs from Java Edition on the same PC

Java and Bedrock remain separate games with their own features, according to Mojang's June 2022 announcement. The Xbox listing adds that Java worlds are not compatible with Minecraft for Windows. The table below uses Mojang's Deluxe Collection page and the Xbox listing, both read 24 October 2026.

Mojang's Java requirements are the higher of the two on paper. For the full list, see Minecraft system requirements. The head-to-head is in Minecraft Java vs Bedrock.

What this means if you use mods or add-ons

Mods belong to Java Edition. Add-ons belong to Bedrock, which is what Minecraft for Windows runs. To mod on a Windows PC you launch Java, then follow how to install Minecraft mods on Java Edition. To use add-ons you stay in Minecraft for Windows and follow how to install add-ons on Minecraft Bedrock.

What the Java and Bedrock PC bundle gives

Mojang announced the bundle on 4 June 2022 for 7 June 2022. It became the standard and only vanilla Minecraft offering on Windows PC. Players who owned either edition were to receive the other for free in the launcher, which could take 2 to 3 days to appear. You can cross-play with Java or Bedrock players by launching the edition they use, but not both at the same time.

The Xbox store lists these PC prices, read 24 October 2026: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC from $29.99, the Deluxe Collection from $39.99 (with 700 Minecoins) and the Ultimate Collection from $49.99 (with 1000 Minecoins). More on the bundle is in what the Java and Bedrock bundle includes and how much Minecraft costs on PC.

How to check which PC editions you own

Mojang's help page (text last edited 27 January 2026) says to sign in to the Minecraft Launcher with the Microsoft account you bought with. A Play or Install button means you own that edition, and Buy Now means you do not. The Microsoft Store shows "You Own This" for owned editions.

Which edition to pick on Windows

Mojang's own page frames it this way: Java is PC only and is the edition for community-made mods, while Bedrock offers cross-play, controller support and the Marketplace. Mojang also calls Java resource intensive and says Bedrock often runs more smoothly; that is Mojang's claim, and we ran no tests. With the bundle you do not have to choose. Both sit in one launcher on the same purchase.