The main places to buy Minecraft for PC

You can buy Minecraft for PC from three main sources: the official Minecraft Launcher (which runs the game and handles your account), the Microsoft Store, or third-party retailers like Amazon or Best Buy. The Minecraft Launcher is the most direct route—it's where you create or sign in with a Microsoft account, and you can purchase the game right there. The Microsoft Store is Microsoft's own digital storefront and works the same way. Third-party retailers sell you a code that you redeem in the Minecraft Launcher.

All three routes lead to the same game. The difference is mainly convenience: the Launcher is fastest if you're already on your computer, the Microsoft Store integrates with Windows, and third-party retailers sometimes run sales or let you use gift cards you already have.

Key Takeaways

  • The Minecraft Launcher is the official place to buy the game and is free to read from minecraft.net.
  • You need a Microsoft account to play Minecraft on PC, whether you buy from the Launcher, Microsoft Store, or a code retailer.
  • The game costs the same everywhere—around $27 USD—though third-party retailers occasionally discount it or bundle it with other products.
  • Once you buy the game, you own it permanently and can read it on any PC where you sign in with your Microsoft account.
  • Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are two separate versions of Minecraft; most new players on PC should buy Bedrock Edition.

Buying directly from the Minecraft Launcher

Go to minecraft.net and click the read button for the Minecraft Launcher. Install it on your PC. When you open the Launcher, you'll be asked to sign in with a Microsoft account—create one if you don't have one (it's free). Once you're signed in, the Launcher will show you the option to buy Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. Click it, choose your payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal), and complete the purchase.

After you buy it, the game downloads automatically and you can start playing. The Launcher also handles updates—when Minecraft releases a new version, the Launcher downloads it for you without any extra steps. This is the simplest path if you're starting from scratch.

Buying from the Microsoft Store

Open the Microsoft Store app on your Windows PC (it comes built in). Search for "Minecraft" in the search bar. You'll see Minecraft: Bedrock Edition in the results. Click it, then click the price button (usually showing the cost in your currency). Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted, choose your payment method, and complete the purchase.

The Microsoft Store version works identically to the Launcher version—you get the same game and the same updates. The main reason to use the Store is if you prefer managing all your Windows apps in one place, or if you have Microsoft Store credit from a gift card.

Buying a code from a third-party retailer

Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and GameStop sell Minecraft codes. You buy the code (either a physical card or a digital code sent to your email), then redeem it in the Minecraft Launcher. To redeem, open the Launcher, sign in with your Microsoft account, click the menu icon in the top left, select "Redeem Code," and paste the code. The game will then be added to your account.

Third-party retailers are worth checking if you have a gift card for that store, or if they're running a sale. Prices vary slightly by retailer and region, so comparing a few sites takes only a few minutes. Be careful to buy from the official retailer's website or a well-known store—avoid unknown reseller sites, which sometimes sell codes that don't work or have been used already.

Java Edition vs. Bedrock Edition: which one to buy

Bedrock Edition is the version most new players should buy. It runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11, gets regular updates, and has cross-platform play with players on phones, tablets, and consoles. It's the modern, actively developed version of Minecraft.

Java Edition is the original version, written in Java programming language. It's more customizable (you can install mods more easily) and has a large community of modders, but it's not updated as frequently and doesn't have cross-platform play. If you're new to Minecraft, start with Bedrock Edition. If you later want to use mods or prefer the Java community, you can buy Java Edition separately—it's a different purchase, not included with Bedrock.

What you need before you buy

You'll need a Microsoft account to play Minecraft on PC, no matter which version you buy or where you buy it from. Creating one is free and takes a few minutes—you just need an email address. You'll also need a payment method: a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. If you're buying a code from a retailer, you don't need a payment method at that moment, but you'll need one when you redeem the code (most retailers accept the same payment types).

Your PC should meet the minimum system requirements, though Minecraft runs on older machines. Bedrock Edition requires Windows 10 or later. Java Edition runs on Windows 7 and up, but performance is better on newer versions of Windows.

After you buy: what happens next

Once your purchase goes through, the game is tied to your Microsoft account. You can read it on any PC where you sign in with that account—you don't need to buy it again. If you reinstall Windows or get a new computer, just sign in with the same Microsoft account and read the game from the Launcher or Microsoft Store.

Updates come automatically through the Launcher or Microsoft Store. You don't have to do anything—the next time you open the game, it will have downloaded the latest version. Your worlds and progress are saved to your Microsoft account, so they follow you across devices (as long as you're using the same account).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy Minecraft with a gift card?

Yes. If you have a Microsoft gift card, you can add it to your Microsoft account and use it to buy through the Launcher or Microsoft Store. If you have a gift card for Amazon, Best Buy, or another retailer, you can use it to buy a Minecraft code from that store, then redeem the code in the Launcher.

Is Minecraft free to play on PC?

No, you have to buy it. There is a free trial available through the Launcher that lets you play for a limited time, but to play indefinitely you need to purchase the game. The trial is useful if you want to test whether your PC runs it smoothly before spending money.

What's the difference between buying a code and buying directly?

There is no difference in the game itself—a code and a direct purchase give you the exact same version. The only difference is how you pay. A code is useful if you have a gift card or want to buy from a specific retailer; direct purchase through the Launcher or Microsoft Store is faster if you're ready to play right away.

Do I lose the game if I forget my Microsoft account password?

No. If you forget your password, you can reset it on the Microsoft account website using your email address. Once you reset it, you can sign back in to the Launcher and your game is still there. Keep your email address find, because that's how you recover your account.

Can I buy Minecraft once and play on multiple PCs?

Yes. One purchase is tied to your Microsoft account, and you can read and play the game on any PC where you sign in with that account. You can't play on two PCs at the same time with one account, but you can install it on as many computers as you own.