Updated: 3/14/2023
Minecraft on PC has traditionally been available to download in two separate editions known as the Java Edition and the Bedrock Edition. That is set to change on June 7 however, when the two versions will be sold together on PCs.
You may be wondering what this means for you. Basically, it’s just a small change. A single purchase will now give you both editions of the game in one package. This also means that you’ll only find one vanilla version of Minecraft on Windows now.
If you already own either Bedrock or Java edition, there’s no need to worry. Mojang notes that all players that have either Java Edition or Bedrock Edition will receive the edition they do not currently own for free, right in the Minecraft Launcher. This could take up to three days to show up, however.
Heading into the future, Jave and Bedrock will be their separate games with separate features. No features have changed. The only difference is that you’ll end up getting both by default when buying Minecraft on your Windows PC, with both versions being in the same launcher.
As a reminder, while Java is exclusive to PC, Mac, and Linux systems, the Bedrock Edition is available on PC, mobile (Android, iOS, Windows 10 mobile and on numerous consoles including Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and so on.
Java is considered the more flexible version of Minecraft on PC in terms of modding, though that version doesn’t allow for cross-platform play. Also, the Java Edition has a higher performance ceiling and tends to look a little better on higher-end gaming PCs, while the Bedrock Edition is designed to play smoothly, and generally features shorter load times.
