How to Play Minecraft Offline in Windows 10/11?

If you enjoy playing Minecraft, it makes sense that you are looking for ways to play it offline. To be fair, you stand to gain a lot when you play It without an active internet connection.

For one, you avoid installing updates that might be buggy or poor. Some updates do more harm than good, after all. By playing Minecraft offline, you might also experience reductions in lag times.

If the game gets configured for play without your computer’s internet connection, you will not have to authenticate credentials at the beginning of every Minecraft session.

Being able to play Minecraft offline allows you to have fun with the game when a decent internet connection is unavailable or inaccessible. For example, Minecraft will remain on the menu when traveling on a train or plane.

So here comes the question: can you play Minecraft offline?

Can Minecraft Be Played Offline?

Yes, Minecraft can be played offline. You just have to set up things or change configurations to force the game to operate without an internet connection.

Also Read: [FIXED] How to Fix the Minecraft Connection Timed Out Error

Ways to Play Minecraft Offline

There are several methods or procedures for configuring the Minecraft application for offline gaming.

The ideal path, in your case, depends on the Minecraft version or build running on your PC.

We will describe all the known methods and procedures users employ to play Minecraft offline on their computers. Here we go.

How to Play Minecraft offline on a Windows 10 PC

Here, you must carefully review the procedures to find the one that applies to you (or that suits your case conditions).

Method 1: Playing Minecraft offline if you have the Java edition

If your computer is running the standard Java Minecraft release, then the procedure to get Minecraft to play offline is probably the most straightforward of the lot.

Follow these instructions to configure Minecraft for the offline game mode:

• First, you must open Minecraft (by running the Minecraft Launcher, perhaps).
• Once the Minecraft window comes up, you have to select SinglePlayer.
• Here, you must choose a game or select Create New World.
• Now, you must click on Create New World.
• Fill the box for the name of the world with your preferred name and then select Game mode.
• Here, you must click on Create New World.

That should be all. You can now play Minecraft without the application using your internet connection.

Method 2: Getting Minecraft to play offline if you have the Windows 10 edition

If your PC runs the Minecraft version designed for Windows 10, then the procedure we describe perfectly fits your case.

In general, you have to use your computer’s internet connection to set the stage for Minecraft’s offline mode.

For one, you must check and confirm that the device you intend to play Minecraft offline exists as a designed offline device.

Microsoft allows users to change designated offline device options only three times per year, so you might want to look into that.

Step 1: Fetch and install Windows updates

First, you must begin by fetching and installing all the Windows updates released for your computer (or checking and confirming that your PC is updated). Go through these steps:

• Verify that your computer is currently connected to the internet.
• Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows logo + I key.
• Once the Settings window gets up, click Update and Security.
• You will be directed to the Update and Security menu in Settings now.
• Here, you must look in the right pane of the window (under Windows Update) and click on the Check for updates button.

Windows will now try to contact Microsoft servers and download centers to check if your computer needs an update.

If Windows finds something new, it will automatically download and install the update.

• Follow the on-screen instructions (where applicable).
• Restart your computer.

If your computer has already downloaded updates – which implies the updates are pending or waiting for the installation event – then you have to click on the Install updates button.

If the Install updates button is missing, you are likely to see the option to restart your PC. If you have nothing to do on your computer, you must use that option to allow your machine to reboot.

If your computer has to install several updates, you might see your PC restart multiple times. You must do whatever’s necessary to ensure your system installs all the updates available:

• In the resulting session (from the last restart), open the Settings app.
• Go to the Windows Update menu.
• Click on the Check for updates button.

If you see the message stating that your PC has all the latest updates, it means your work on getting your computer to install all the needed updates is done. You can now proceed to the next phase.

Also Read: How to Fix “Unable to Update the Minecraft Native Launcher

Step 2: Configure your PC for offline gaming

Here, you must change a setting in the Microsoft Store to configure your PC for offline gaming. Follow these instructions:

• First, you have to get to the Windows Start screen (by hitting the Windows button on your keyboard or clicking the Windows icon on your display).
• You must click the Microsoft Store icon to open this application.
• Once the Store window opens, you must click on your user account icon (at the window’s top-right corner).
• From the list that pops up, you must choose Settings.

You will be directed to the Settings screen in the Microsoft Store now.

• Check for Offline Permissions and then click on the toggle beside it (to turn on the parameter).

Step 3: Get the Game ready

If you do everything correctly, your device will end up with the required offline designation. You must move on to the final task to prepare your game. Continue with these instructions:

• Now, you have to open Minecraft (by double-clicking on the Minecraft Launcher on your desktop, perhaps).
• Assuming the Minecraft window is now on your screen, you have to sign in to your Xbox Live account.
• Do whatever you must to get inside the game.
• Now, you can play the game (if you like).
• Leave Minecraft.
• Test things to confirm that you can now play Minecraft without an internet connection.

You can configure the same setup for other games – especially those you obtained from the Microsoft Store – to get them to play offline. You can check the Xbox site to see the list of games supporting offline mode.

Also Read: How to Fix Minecraft Realms Could Not Invite the Provided Name Issue?

Step 4: Learn more about offline gaming

If you want to find out more about Minecraft’s support for offline gaming, or if you have other questions, or if you encounter any issue while configuring Minecraft to play without an internet connection, then you may find the answers you need this way:

• First, fire up the Microsoft Store application and click on your profile icon (at the top-right corner of the program window).
• From the list that pops up, you must select My Library.
• On the following screen or menu, you must choose Games (to see a list) and then select Show All.
• Now, choose Minecraft and scroll down to the Additional Information section.
• Check the options under Learn More. Click on the Support link.
• You must click on the FAQ link on the screen that comes up.

You will now be directed to the screen where all the details on the offline mode are presented.

Method 3: Playing Minecraft offline if you are running the Java edition and have your own server

Here, we intend to describe an alternative procedure for configuring Minecraft for offline gaming.

The method applies to users whose computers run the Minecraft Java edition and have their own Minecraft server or access to someone else’s Minecraft server (say, a friend’s server).

We must warn you of the risks and complications that might come into play when you configure Minecraft for offline gaming this way.

People can connect to your server using any username in the projected offline mode.

The security risks are considerably better in this mode, so we advise that you play Minecraft in offline mode only if you trust all the players who use your server.

Anyway, these instructions cover everything that you need to do here:

• First, you must open Minecraft by double-clicking on the Minecraft Launcher shortcut (probably on your desktop screen).
• Once the application window opens, you have to click on Play (the green button at the bottom).

The main Minecraft window will come up now.

• Now, you have to click on Multiplayer (usually the second button on the screen).
• Here, you must click on the green mark that is close to your server.

The required mark is usually placed to the right of the server in the list of multiplayer games. Your Minecraft server is supposed to go offline now.

• Now, you must open the folder for your server.

We are referring to the folder that you created when you set up your Minecraft server in the first instance.

• Here, you should right-click on the server.properties file.
• A drop-down for the chosen file should appear now. Windows will ask you how you want to open the file.
• Select Notepad.
• The file will now be opened in the text editor application window.
• Use the Ctrl + F keyboard shortcut to bring up the Find function.
• Fill the text box for Find what with the following code:

online-mode=true

• You are likely to see the query about halfway down the list there.
• Replace the true part of the code with false.

Basically, you must change the online-mode=true text to online-mode=false.

• Now, you must save the changes you made to the server.properties file:
• Click on File (an option situated around the top-left corner of the application window) to see the available menu list.
• Select Save.

If you did everything correctly, you have just disabled online mode on your server.

• Now, you must return to the previous screen to replace the checkmark next to the name of your Minecraft server.
• Go to the Multiplayer menu (on the Minecraft title screen) and replace the mark beside the server.
• Now, you must double-click on the server in view.

Windows will now work to restart or relaunch the server.

• Now, you must get back to your game and continue under the Multiplayer menu on the Minecraft title screen.

You are set for everything.

Method 4: Getting Minecraft to play offline if you have the bedrock edition

If your computer runs the Minecraft Bedrock edition—which is not that common on PCs today—you have to configure the game for offline gaming through a different procedure.

Minecraft Bedrock Edition typically comes in a bundle, or it exists on these platforms: Windows 10 OS, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and others.

Anyway, these are the steps you must go through to play Minecraft offline on your computer:

• First, you have to open Minecraft (as you normally do).

We recall the Minecraft Bedrock edition has an icon that looks like a glassy block.

• Click on Play.

The list of games available is supposed to come up now.

• At this point, you must select or create a new world (for the task ahead).
• Otherwise (if you do not want to create a new world), you can choose an existing game this way: Double-click the single-player game under the Worlds tab.
• You can create a new world this way: Click on Create New at the top of the menu.

• Fill the box for Name with your preferred name.
• Now, you must choose a game mode and select your preferred difficulty level through the options from the down-down menus on the right.
• Click on Create.

If your computer runs the Minecraft Bedrock edition and you need to download Minecraft Realms Game, then you must go through these steps:

• First, you have to open Minecraft (through whatever means you are comfortable with).
• Once the Minecraft window comes up, you must click on Play (to see the list of available games).
• Now, you must click on the Pencil icon (close to the Minecraft Realms Game item).

The configuration menu for Minecraft Realms Game will come up now.

• Here, you must click on Download World (under Activate Cheats).

Minecraft will now work to download the game.

• Click on the back-arrow icon (around the top-left corner of the game application window).

You will be directed to the previous menu or screen.

• Now, you must double-click on your copy of Minecraft Realms Game.

The package is supposed to be listed under the Worlds tab.

If you perform the tasks correctly, Minecraft will now act to load the game in single-player mode. You will now be able to play the game without an internet connection.

How to Play Minecraft Offline on Windows 11

Minecraft is compatible with Windows 11. So, if you have installed the latest Windows OS, you can still enjoy Minecraft gameplay –– online and offline. To play Minecraft offline, you can try all the solutions we’ve listed above.

You can play Minecraft Java and Minecraft Bedrock editions on Windows 11 if you prepare your Windows 11 device or devices for offline mode.

You can download the game from the Microsoft Store or update it to the latest edition to ensure it’s fully compatible with Windows 11.

To prepare your device for offline mode with Minecraft Java, follow the instructions above under “Playing Minecraft offline if you have the Java edition”.

If you want to play Minecraft Bedrock in offline mode, go over the steps under “Getting Minecraft to play offline if you have the Bedrock edition”.

Most PC games with a campaign mode are available for offline play on Windows 11.

However, when you play offline, you won’t have access to multiplayer mode and other features, such as purchasing game items. Leaderboards will also be unavailable in offline play.

To get access to the features above, you will need to switch back to online mode.

Also Read: How to Fix the Minecraft OpenGL Error on Windows 11/10?

TIPS:

If you want Minecraft to stop using your internet connection, you should disable your network adapters.

If you connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, you must disable all the wireless network adapters. If you connect to the Internet via a cable, you must disable the Ethernet adapter.

You must go to the Network screen or menu in the Control Panel and change the adapter configuration.

Alternatively, you can open the Device Manager application, navigate through the menus to locate your network device, and disable it.

For the best gaming performance and stability outcomes, we advise that you update the drivers for all the components that play a role in the operations.

For example, you need to update your GPU driver for graphics processes to keep things running optimally.

Conclusion

Playing Minecraft offline on Windows 10/11 is achievable through various methods depending on your Minecraft edition. Whether you’re using the Java edition, Windows 10 edition, or Bedrock edition, you can configure the game for offline play.

Disabling your network adapters and updating your system can enhance your gaming experience.

Ensure you follow the appropriate steps for your Minecraft version to enjoy the game without an active internet connection, allowing you to play wherever and whenever you want.

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