Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Install OptiFine
• Part 2 of 3: Using Forge
• Part 3 of 3: Using OptiFine
• Tips
• Warnings

This article will show you how to install OptiFine as a mod or as a standalone configuration for Minecraft. OptiFine optimizes Minecraft graphics to improve game performance. Moreover, this mod adds some graphical options to Minecraft settings, such as dynamic lighting. Keep in mind that OptiFine can only be installed on the desktop version of Minecraft.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Install OptiFine

1. 1 Download OptiFine. To install the OptiFine mod on a Windows or Mac OS X computer, download the OptiFine JAR file:
   • go to https://optifine.net/downloads in your computer's web browser;
   • Click “Download” to the right of the first “OptiFine” option in the “OptiFine HD Ultra” section;
   • wait 5 seconds and then click on “SKIP AD” in the upper right corner of the screen (you may need to click “Continue” first on the ad blocker warning window).
   • click “Download OptiFine” in the middle of the page;
   • click "Save" or "Allow" if your browser warns you that OptiFine may be dangerous.
2. 2 Update Minecraft. As of August 2018, the latest version of Minecraft is version 1.13; if your version of the game is older than version 1.12, update Minecraft - open the launcher, wait for the latest version of Minecraft to load, and then log into your Minecraft account.
3. 3 Make sure the game has Minecraft forge. If you plan on running OptiFine as a mod using Minecraft Forge, install Forge.
   • Skip this step if you want to run OptiFine as a separate Minecraft config - perhaps an easier solution if you don't have Forge on your computer.
4. 4 Find out the path to the folder with Minecraft. If you plan to install OptiFine as a separate Minecraft configuration (without using Forge), you need to know the path to the game folder. To find the path, follow these steps:
   • open the Minecraft launcher by clicking or double-clicking on the game icon;
   • go to the "Launch options" tab;
   • click on "Latest release";
   • click on "game directory";
   • copy the address of the game directory. To do this, highlight the address in the Game Directory text box, and then press Ctrl+C (Windows) or ⌘ Command+C (Mac).

Part 2 of 3: Using Forge

1. 1 Copy the OptiFine. Click on the OptiFine setup file you downloaded and then click Ctrl+C (Windows) or ⌘ Command+C (Mac).
2. 2 Open the Minecraft launcher. Click or double click on the Minecraft icon, which looks like a block of earth with grass.
3. 3 Click on the tab Launch options (Launch parameters). It's in the upper right side of the window.
   • If this tab is not active, first click "☰" in the upper right corner of the Minecraft window.
4. 4 Click on Latest release (Latest issue). It's in the middle of the window. A page with information about the game will open.
5. 5 Open the Minecraft folder. Click the green arrow to the right of the Game directory text box. The game folder will open in Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
6. 6 Double click on the "mods" folder. You will find it in the middle of the window. If this folder does not exist, create it using the following steps:
   • Windows: right-click on an empty space in the game folder, select New from the menu, click Folder, enter mods (no capital letters) and press ↵ Enter.
   • Mac: click on an empty space in the game folder, open the File menu, click New Folder, enter mods (no capital letters) and press ⏎ Return.
7. 7 Paste the OptiFine. To do this, click Ctrl+V (Windows) or ⌘ Command+V (Mac). The OptiFine file will appear in the game folder.
   • Alternatively, you can simply drag and drop the OptiFine file into the "mods" folder if you do not want to save the downloaded file in the download folder.
8. 8 Launch OptiFine with Forge. For this:
   • Click on the "News" tab in the Minecraft launcher window;
   • Click on the upward arrow to the right of “PLAY”;
   • select "forge";
   • click PLAY.

Part 3 of 3: Using OptiFine

1. 1 Double click on the downloaded OptiFine installation file. An installer window will open.
   • On a Mac, hold Control and click on the file and then select "Open" from the menu.
2. 2 Click on ⋯. This icon is to the right of the "Folder" address bar in the middle of the pop-up window. A new window will open.
3. 3 Enter the copied directory address. Click on Ctrl+V (Windows) or ⌘ Command+V (Mac) and then press ↵ Enter... OptiFine will be installed in the Minecraft folder.
4. 4 Click on Install (Install). It's near the bottom of the OptiFine window.
5. 5 Click on OKwhen prompted. This will confirm that OptiFine has been successfully installed.
6. 6 Open the Minecraft launcher. Click or double click on the Minecraft icon, which looks like a block of earth with grass.
7. 7 Click on the tab Launch options (Launch parameters). It's in the upper-right side of the window.
   • If this tab is not active, first click "☰" in the upper right corner of the Minecraft window.
8. 8 Click on Add new (Add). It's near the top of the Minecraft version list. A window will open with several text fields.
9. 9 Enter your name. In the Name text box, enter a name for the OptiFine configuration.
   • You can enter any name, but do not forget that it refers to OptiFine.
10. 10 Open the "Version" menu. It is located under the "Name" field. A menu will open.
11. 11 Select "OptiFine". This option is on the menu; next to it will be the version of your OptiFine.
12. 12Click on Save (Save) It's a green button at the bottom of the window.
13. 13 Launch the OptiFine version of Minecraft. To select OptiFine as your Minecraft version, follow these steps:
    • Click on the "News" tab in the Minecraft launcher window;
    • Click on the upward arrow to the right of “PLAY”;
    • select "OptiFine";
    • click PLAY.

Tips

• If you run OptiFine through Forge, the OptiFine option will not appear in the Mods menu. This is because OptiFine is actually a profile and not a mod. However, you will find the "OptiFine" option at the bottom left of the main menu before launching Forge.
• Open the graphics settings in the Settings menu to access the OptiFine settings (for example, dynamic lighting).

Warnings

• Changing OptiFine settings that you don't know can break Minecraft.