How to Move Minecraft to Another Drive in Windows 10

To move the Microsoft Store version, Minecraft for Windows, open Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select the app, choose Move, and pick a drive. This works only when Windows enables Move for that installation. Back up worlds first; Java Edition uses a different method.

Windows manages protected app files. Don’t move files out of WindowsApps or change its ownership: Microsoft says packaged files are read-only and can stop launching if altered.

Check your Minecraft edition and back up worlds

The Settings method is for Minecraft for Windows (Bedrock) installed through Microsoft Store. It does not relocate Java Edition game files. Check the app name in Settings or the edition selected in Minecraft Launcher.

Before moving the app, close Minecraft and export any Bedrock worlds you would not want to lose. Use Minecraft’s official Windows world-backup instructions. Keep the backup until you have launched the game after the move and confirmed that your worlds open.

Choose a connected drive with enough free space. An internal drive is convenient; keep an external drive connected whenever you play.

Move Minecraft for Windows to another drive

1. Find Minecraft in Apps & features

Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then choose Apps and Apps & features. Wait for the app list to load, then search for Minecraft. Select the entry named Minecraft for Windows.

2. Open the app’s move control

With the app entry expanded, select Move. Depending on your Windows display, the button may appear beside Uninstall below the app name. If you see only options such as Advanced options and Uninstall, skip to the fallback below; Windows does not expose a move command for every app package.

3. Select the destination drive

In the Move this app dialog, open the drive list and choose the drive you want to use, such as D:. Windows lists eligible drives; if your preferred drive is missing, make sure it is connected and visible in File Explorer. Select Move in the dialog to start.

4. Wait for Windows to finish

Let Windows complete the transfer before opening Minecraft or disconnecting the destination drive. If the game was still running, Windows may close it. When the process ends, launch Minecraft for Windows from Start or Minecraft Launcher and check that your worlds still load.

The move relocates the app package, but may not move every user-data folder. Keep your world backups until you confirm the game works. Windows manages protected files in WindowsApps; you do not need to edit that folder.

If the Move button is missing

First confirm that you selected Minecraft for Windows, not Java Edition or just the launcher. If the correct app still has no usable Move button, set a new default drive for future Microsoft Store apps, then reinstall Minecraft:

1. Open Settings > System > Storage, then select Change where new content is saved.
2. Under New apps will save to, choose the destination drive and apply the change.
3. After exporting your worlds, uninstall Minecraft for Windows from Settings > Apps > Apps & features, then install it again from Microsoft Store while signed in to the account that owns the game.

Changing the default drive does not move an app that is already installed; it sets the location for new app installations. Microsoft’s Windows storage guidance describes the new-content location setting. The exact availability of Move depends on whether the installed package supports moving between drives, as explained in Microsoft’s packaged-app documentation.

Move Java Edition’s game data separately

Java Edition uses a game directory rather than the Microsoft Store move control. To put its game data on another drive, back up the world saves first. On Windows, Minecraft’s help guide identifies the usual Java saves folder as %APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves.

1. Close Minecraft and Minecraft Launcher. Copy your saves folder to a safe backup location.
2. In Minecraft Launcher, open Installations, edit the profile you use, and expand More Options.
3. Set Game Directory to a folder on the destination drive, such as D:\Games\MinecraftJava, and save the installation.
4. Copy the backed-up saves folder into the new game directory. Copy other folders you need, such as mods or resource packs, only if you use them. Launch the installation and verify your worlds before removing the old files.

For the world files and transfer details, follow Minecraft’s Java Edition world-transfer guide. Moving the launcher program itself does not automatically move Java worlds or game data.

Windows 10 support note

Windows 10 still runs, but standard support ended October 14, 2025. Microsoft no longer provides regular free security and feature updates; see Microsoft’s Windows 10 support notice for current options.