In the last article of the series we covered the Minecraft 1.11.2 Launcher and profiles. Now it’s time to talk about Java.
The problem with the launcher is that it comes bundled with a two-year-old, 32-bit version of Java that can cause all sorts of weirdness and problems! The biggest of these is that it probably doesn’t use as much of your computer’s RAM as possible, so even though you can run Minecraft decently, it doesn’t always work as efficiently and smoothly as it could. In addition, a number of mods only list the latest Java version as compatible. This article will teach you how to install the correct or updated Java version and enable Minecraft to utilize it.
Checking Whether you have a 64- or 32-bit Machine
Before we start you must know whether your system is 32 or 64-bit Windows. Nearly every machine built in the last 3 years will be 64-bit but if you have something a little older or if your computer only has 4GB of RAM or less, then your PC just might be 32-bit. To check, open the Control Panel from the Start Menu and then open System. Under ‘system type’ it should show 32 or 64 bit – easy.
Installing the Correct Java
At java.com you can download the latest and most suitable version. Most people will click the free download button and think they are immediately installing the best java possible – this is wrong: you are only installing the 32-bit Java! Don’t forget that using the 64-bit version while on a 64-bit computer will allow Minecraft to use more memory, which means better, smoother gaming. If, however, you do happen to be using an older PC with a 32-bit system then you are done and can skip the following section.
Installing the 64-bit Version of Java
Click on the Free Download button at java.com then click the “See all Java downloads” link which appears. Follow that link and then install the Windows Offline (64-bit) download (shown below); it will walk you through it.
Getting Minecraft to use the Updated and Correct Version
Once you have correctly installed the latest 32 or 64-bit version on your PC we now have to change the ‘executable line’ so the launcher will use the new version. If you have problems with this line it could be that you are using an older system that is set up differently but this should work for Windows 7 – 10 users with either 32 or 64-bit machines. The following image shows where to make the change under executable in the profile editor.
Check the Executable box and then enter the following (without the quotes): “C:\ProgramData\Oracle\Java\javapath\javaw.exe”.
Bonus: Java Virtual Machine (JVM) Arguments
The JVM arguments are there to tweak how the program works and utilizes RAM when Minecraft is loaded, which can have effects, such as greatly improving (or impeding) the game’s performance. Be careful though, as they sometimes cause problems because everyone has different hardware. If you do wish to change them now, I suggest searching for “minecraft java arguments” for recommended settings or visiting this WikiHow page, which may be useful resource for you. Also, be sure to check the Empire Minecraft forums for discussion on the topic.
Your Minecraft 1.11.2 profile is now using the latest Java version so you should have the best possible experience and can use any up-to-date mods.
The next post will cover modloaders and future articles will focus specifically on optimizing Minecraft performance, so check back soon!
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