Installation Instructions for Minecraft: Java Edition
Part 1: Purchasing and Installing Minecraft.
Go to https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/store/minecraft-java-bedrock-edition-pc.
On the right side of the screen, select the "Minecraft" option. There is another option called the "Deluxe Collection", you do not need this version, however it will work just the same.
If you have already purchased Minecraft, you can download it here. Otherwise you can click on checkout. If you have already purchased Minecraft, you can skip ahead.
When you select checkout, You will be taken to a new page where you will be asked to Sign in/Sign up for a Microsoft Account. If you already have a Microsoft account, you can log in here. Otherwise you will have to create an account. Go through the sign up process until you get to the following page
A note about the age. If you use your child's birth date for the age of the account. You may have to do a bit of extra work for them to be able to connect to our multiplayer world. If you decide to use your child's real birth date, you will have to create another Microsoft account that acts as the parent account, and you will have to modify some settings to allow them to connect to our Minecraft world. You could set the age to something over 18 to avoid this part of the setup, but if you would like to set up a child account, I will explain this further.
If you've used your childs age as the age for this account. You will be taken to a page that looks like this.
Select "I'm a parent or guardian"
Once you select this and press continue, you will have to sign into another Microsoft account. If you have a Microsoft account, log in now. Otherwise, make a new one.
Once you have logged into your Microsoft account, you will get to a consent page. Type your name at the bottom of the screen and then select "Yes I agree".
The next page will ask if you want to let your child use non Microsoft published apps. Minecraft is a Microsoft published app, so whether or not you want to check that box is up to you. Select next when you are ready.
Afterwards, you will reach this page. You can optionally set a screentime limit. Otherwise you can select the Family Safety button to take you to the family safety page.
To allow your child to play on Multiplayer Minecraft, you can follow the instructions on the following Mojang guide here: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/parental-controls
Once you have your account setup. You can go back to https://www.minecraft.net/en-us and purchase Minecraft. Log in to the Microsoft account you've created by selecting "SIGN IN" at the top right corner of the screen. You may be prompted to create a "GamerTag". Come up with a gamertag and press "Next".
Once you log in, you will likely reach a page with a bunch of games. Select "Buy Now" below Minecraft: Java Edition. This will take you to the page where you can purchase Minecraft. Refer to the picture below.
On the purchase page. Select "Minecraft" as shown in the picture at the beginning of these instructions and go through the payment process. Then you can download and run the Minecraft installer for your operating system.
Once Minecraft is installed, located the Minecraft launcher on your computer and open it. When prompted, Log in to the Microsoft account that you purchased Minecraft with.
Once you have logged into your Microsoft account. You should come to a page with a button at the bottom that says "Play Now". If that button does not say "Play Now" then you have done something wrong. Verify that you have actually purchased Minecraft and that you have logged into the correct Microsoft account.
Part 2: Setting up Minecraft to play on our multiplayer server.
Press the "Play Now" button to start playing Minecraft. When you select the button, the Minecraft launcher will likely start installing updates. Depending on your internet speed this may take some time. Once the updates have completed, Minecraft will start running.
While you're waiting for Minecraft to boot, on the bottom right of the launcher you should see some username. This is your Minecraft username. Take note of this as you will need it for later in the instructions.
Once you have booted up Minecraft. Select "Multiplayer".
Select "Add Server"
Under "Server Name" put down whatever you want. This is just to help you identify the server. I recommend naming it something like "UAF Minecraft Adventures Server".
Under Server Address, put down the following bolded address. You can copy this and paste it into Minecraft with Control+V on Windows or Command+V on Mac.
mcadventures.space
Once you have put down this information, select done, and you will see the Server on your list. If it says "Can't connect to server", check the server address and make sure it has been entered correctly.
To join the server, click on the server in the server list and select "Join Server". Or select the play button on the server logo. You likely will get a message telling you that you are not whitelisted to the server. To gain access, send me an email at lmbrufatto@alaska.edu with your Minecraft username and I will grant you access.
Now you have completed setting up the server!
Part 3: Recommended Settings
In order to improve your Minecraft experience, I recommend doing the following.
On the title screen, select "Options". Then select "Music and Sounds"
Set the "Music" slider all the way to zero. The music can be a little distracting when we are in class.
Select "Done".
Select "Video Settings"
Find the "Brightness" slider and set it all the way to the max setting. Many students have a hard time seeing the game when it becomes nighttime, and raising the brightness helps with this.
If you are using a weaker computer, you may also want to consider lowering the Render Distance, and Simulation Distance sliders, as well as changing the Graphics setting to "Fast". This will help Minecraft perform better on your computer.
Now you have finished setting up Minecraft! If you have any questions or need assistance. Send me an email at lmbrufatto@alaska.edu and I will help you the best I can. I can't wait to see you in class!