How to Install OptiFine mod for Minecraft

Prepare to install OptiFine

Download OptiFine. To install the OptiFine mod on a Windows or Mac computer, you need to download the OptiFine JAR file:

Visit https://optifine.net/downloads using your computer's web browser.

Click Download to the right of the OptiFine link at the top, under the "OptiFine HD Ultra" heading.

Wait 5 seconds, then click SKIP AD in the upper right corner of the screen (you may need to click Continue on the ad blocking warning first).

Click the Download OptiFine link in the middle of the page.

Click Keep or Allow if your browser warns you that OptiFine may be dangerous.

Update Minecraft. As of August 2018, the latest Minecraft version is 1.13; If you're using a version older than 1.12, update Minecraft by opening the program launcher, waiting for the latest version to download, and logging back into your account.

You need to make sure you have Minecraft Forge installed if necessary. If you want to run OptiFine as a mod in Minecraft Forge, you need to install Forge first.

You can skip this step if you want to run OptiFine as a separate configuration of Minecraft, this method is arguably easier than installing Forge if your computer doesn't already have it.

Specify the Minecraft path if necessary. If you plan to install OptiFine as a separate Minecraft configuration instead of using Forge, find the path of the Minecraft installed folder by:

Click or double-click the Minecraft app icon to open the Minecraft launcher.

Click the Launch options tab .

Click Latest release .

Click the "Game directory" switch.

Copy the game directory address by selecting the address in the "Game directory" data field and pressing Ctrl+ C(Windows) or ⌘ Command+ C(Mac).

By Forge

Copy file OptiFine. Click the OptiFine setup file you downloaded, then press Ctrl+ C(Windows) or ⌘ Command+ C(Mac).

Open the Minecraft launcher. Click or double-click the Minecraft app icon, which resembles a dirt cube with grass. The Minecraft launcher window will pop up.

Click the Launch options tab in the upper right of the window.

If you don't see this option, you'll first need to click the ☰ icon in the upper right corner of the Minecraft window.

Click the Latest release option in the middle of the window. The Minecraft installation information page will open.

Open the Minecraft folder. Click the green right-facing arrow to the right of the "Game directory" text box. The Minecraft installation folder will appear in the File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) window.

Double-click the "mods" folder in the middle of the window; The "mods" folder will open. If you cannot find the "mods" folder, create a new one as follows:

Windows — Right-click an empty space in a folder, select, New , click Folder , type mods(don't capitalize the title), and press ↵ Enter.

On Mac — Click an empty space in a folder, select File , click New Folder , type mods(don't capitalize the title), and tap ⏎ Return.

Paste the file OptiFine. Press Ctrl+ V(Windows) or ⌘ Command+ V(Mac) to paste. The OptiFine file will appear in the folder after a few seconds.

You can also click and drag the OptiFine file into the "mods" folder if you don't want to keep a copy of the original downloaded file.

Launch OptiFine through Forge. To launch OptiFine through Minecraft Forge:

Click the News tab on the Minecraft launcher window.

Click the up arrow to the right of the PLAY button .

Click forge .

Click PLAY .

Only by OptiFine

Double-click the OptiFine setup file. The installation window will appear.

On a Mac, hold down Controland click the file, then select Open from the drop-down menu that appears.

Click the ⋯ button to the right of the "Folder" address bar in the middle of the pop-up window. A new window will open.

Enter the copied game folder address. To paste the copied address, press Ctrl+ V(Windows) or ⌘ Command+ V(Mac) and then press ↵ Enter. OptiFine will install into the Minecraft folder.

Click Install . It's at the bottom of the OptiFine window.

Click OK when the options appear. This message confirms that OptiFine has been installed successfully.

Open the Minecraft launcher. Click or double-click the land cube app icon with grass. The Minecraft launcher window will appear.

Click the Launch options tab located in the upper right corner of the window.

If you don't see this option, you'll need to click the ☰ icon in the upper right corner of the Minecraft window.

Click Add new . This option is at the top of the list of Minecraft versions. A page containing different text frames will appear.

Enter name. In the "Name" text box, enter a name for the OptiFine configuration.

You can name it anything, as long as it's related to OptiFine and easy to remember.

Click the "Version" drop-down box below the "Name" box. A drop-down menu will pop up.

Select the "OptiFine" release. This option is in a drop-down menu with a title that includes the current version number of the OptiFine version you have installed.

Click Save . This green button is at the bottom of the window.

Launch the OptiFine version of Minecraft. To select OptiFine as your version of Minecraft and launch it:

Click the News tab located in the Minecraft launcher window.

Click the up arrow to the right of the PLAY button .

Click the name of the OptiFine configuration.

Click PLAY .

Lesley Montoya

Update 05 November 2023