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How to Completely Uninstall Minecraft and Delete Its Files

Uninstalling Minecraft does not necessarily delete its worlds and other local data. Follow the steps for your edition and platform, and back up wanted files first.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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To completely uninstall Minecraft, remove the game through your device’s app controls, then delete its local game-data folder if you also want to remove worlds, screenshots, and other saved files. The exact steps depend on your edition and platform. Back up anything you want to keep first: Minecraft Help warns, “We highly recommend you visit our Backup & Restore section before you uninstall and save your worlds, inventory, progress, and all other game data you want to keep. Minecraft support cannot recover any deleted files.”

Before deleting Minecraft files: back up worlds you want to keep

Uninstalling the app and deleting its saved data are separate actions. If you want to preserve worlds or other game data, use the appropriate Minecraft Backup & Restore guidance before proceeding. Deleting a local data folder can remove worlds, screenshots, and other files, not just the game itself.

The manual file paths below come from Minecraft Help’s Manually Uninstall Minecraft: Java Edition instructions. They apply to Java Edition on Windows, macOS, and Linux—not as universal directions for Bedrock, mobile, or console.

Uninstall Minecraft Java Edition on Windows

  1. Remove the app. Use a Windows uninstall route: open Start, find Minecraft, right-click it, and select Uninstall; or go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and uninstall it there. You can also use Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Microsoft notes that some apps cannot be removed from Settings and must be uninstalled through Control Panel. See Microsoft’s Windows app and program uninstall instructions.
  2. Delete Java Edition’s local data if you want all those files removed. Press Windows+R, enter C:Users%username%AppDataRoaming, and press Enter. Delete the .minecraft folder. Do this only after backing up any worlds or files you want to retain.

If you use a custom game directory or a third-party launcher, the data may be stored somewhere other than the default .minecraft location.

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#1 Best Overall
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch
  • Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
  • Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
  • Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
  • Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
  • Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only

Uninstall Minecraft Java Edition on macOS

  1. Remove the Minecraft app from the Applications folder using Apple’s app-deletion instructions: Delete or uninstall apps on Mac.
  2. To remove its local worlds and other game files too, open Finder’s Go to Folder dialog with Shift+Command+G. Enter ~/Library/Application Support/, then delete the Minecraft folder. Back up any wanted files first.

Remove Minecraft Java Edition files on Linux

Minecraft Help gives this command to remove the contents of the default Java Edition data directory:

rm -vr ~/.minecraft/*

Back up wanted data before running it. The command removes files inside ~/.minecraft; it does not necessarily remove a separate launcher installed elsewhere.

Rank #2
Minecraft: Switch Edition
  • Explore randomly-generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
  • Play in Creative Mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armour to fend off the dangerous mobs

What to do for Bedrock, mobile, or console

Minecraft Bedrock Edition is available on Windows, Android, iOS, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation. Its data handling and backup options vary by platform, so do not use Java Edition’s .minecraft paths as Bedrock instructions.

Use your device’s app-management controls to uninstall the game, and check the relevant platform-specific backup guidance before removing it. Minecraft’s backup index links to help for Windows, Android, iPhone and iPad, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. The steps for deleting residual files depend on the particular device and edition.

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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

If Minecraft will not uninstall on Windows

Try another built-in uninstall route—Start, Settings > Apps > Installed apps, or Control Panel > Programs and Features—because some programs do not uninstall from Settings. For certain blocked or incomplete desktop-program removals, Microsoft provides the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter. Microsoft distinguishes these desktop-program problems from Microsoft Store app issues; follow the troubleshooting guidance that matches how your copy was installed.

Do not reset your PC just to remove Minecraft. A Windows reset affects the whole device: Microsoft says Keep my files removes apps and settings while retaining personal files, whereas Remove everything also removes personal files. Neither is a routine substitute for uninstalling one game. See Microsoft’s Windows recovery options.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch
Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures; Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
$29.83
Bestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 3
Best Value
Minecraft | Java & Bedrock Deluxe Collection | Windows Digital Code
  • DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, three Bedrock add-ons, three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
  • CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
  • EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
  • SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
  • PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Rank #4
Minecraft | Standard Edition | XBOX Digital Code
  • CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that is unique in every playthrough.
  • EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world full of surprises.
  • SURVIVAL ADVENTURES — Face mysterious foes, travel across varied landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
  • PLAY TOGETHER — Play solo or join friends in local split-screen and cross-platform play across console, mobile, and PC. Online multiplayer supports up to 8 players.
  • COMMUNITY PLAY — Connect with players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus (sold separately) to play with up to 10 friends on a private server.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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