How to Download and Install the Minecraft 1.8 Pre-Release

Update 2: 1.9 Version3 is currently out. Click here to download and install 1.9 Version 3.

Update: 1.8 is now officially out! It'll prompt you to update the next time you launch.

Be sure to read therundown of the new 1.8 features and share your thoughts in the 1.8 general impressions thread in the forum.

A lot of people thought that the Minecraft 1.8 Adventure Update would be showing up yesterday, September 8th. When that didn't happen, the Minecraft community breathed a collective sigh of sadness. Today, however, those blocky frowns have been turned upside down. Notch and Jens "leaked" the 1.8 pre-release onto 4chan. The build has their endorsements, as seen in the Minecraft subreddit and is safe to download and install. If you're interested in seeing a list of the changes and new features of the game, Minecraft Forums is updating a list on their front page. Perhaps the most exciting change is the introduction of Beef and Chicken, delicious!

Notch is warning everyone to only download the pre-release files directly from the Minecraft.net site. Heeding his suggested caution, here are the links to both files:

• Minecraft 1.8 Pre-Release Client
• Minecraft 1.8 Pre-Release Server

Unfortunately, installing the update isn't extremely easy. Thankfully, we have the instructions. If you have a Windows PC, follow these steps:

1. Download the Client files listed above to whatever directory you would like on your PC.
2. Hit the Windows key. If you are using Windows 7 or Vista, type "Run" into the search box and choose "Run" from the search results. Otherwise, choose the "Run" command off of the Start Menu.
3. In the "Open" text field, type "%AppData%" without the quotes and press "OK."
4. Locate the folder labeled .minecraft (note the period before minecraft), and make a copy of it. You can do this by right clicking the folder and selecting "copy." Then, choose a different directory folder (such as "Documents"), right click, and select "paste." Now you have a backup of your Minecraft files if anything goes wrong.
5. Return to the original .minecraft folder, open it, and access the bin directory.
6. In the bin directory, locate the "minecraft.jar" file and delete it.
7. Locate the client file (minecraft.jar) you downloaded at the start and move it into the bin folder, replacing the file you just deleted.

Too much text? Try this video guide posted by a member of the Minecraft community:

Now, you will need access to an updated Minecraft 1.8 server in order to connect to the game and play it, but with the server file being released as well, it shouldn't be too much trouble to find one. In fact, I would encourage you to head over to Minecraft Forums and start looking for open 1.8 servers.

If you find any bugs, feel free to visit the Minecraft Wiki page on known bugs in 1.8 and report it. Each bug you post will help make the game better for everyone when it's finally released in an official version!

Warnings

• Modify the files in your Minecraft directory at your own risk.
• As with all betas, the game is not completely stable--expect bugs.
• As Notch said, only download from the Minecraft.net hosted links. Other files may contain viruses or corrupt your Minecraft folder.
• You will need to have actually purchased the game in order to run the pre-release.