How to install Minecraft Forge [Minecraft 1.18]

In this guide, you will find out how to install Minecraft Forge, a software tool used to make and manage mods for Minecraft. The guide is updated to the latest version of Minecraft, 1.18.

Without further ado let's get down to explaining the installation process for Minecraft Forge.

1. Make sure you have Minecraft Java Edition installed and initialized

First of all, make sure you are running Minecraft: Java Edition as this is the version compatible with Minecraft Forge. Android and iOS players can mod Minecraft using smartphone apps, while the console versions cannot be modded.

Ensure that you have run Minecraft at least once to initialize all the necessary game files. In this example, we are running Minecraft: Jave Edition 1.18.2.

2. Download Minecraft Forge

Download forge from https://files.minecraftforge.net/. This is the official download page for Minecraft Forge, and it will recommend the latest version (in our case, 1.18.2 – 40.0.54). You can view all available Minecraft Forge versions by pressing the orange Show all Versions button. It is always recommended to download the version that corresponds to your Minecraft installation, so for our example, we will download Minecraft Forge 1.18.2.

Next, click the Installer button and SKIP the advertisement to download the Minecraft Forge JAR file. Avoid clicking any ads by all means as adfoc.us is a website full of malware.

Once you skip the ad, select where to download the JAR file.

If Windows Defender or any other antivirus software warns you that the download file may be harmful, click Keep so the file won't be deleted.

3. Install Forge on Windows

To install Forge on Windows, you must have Java installed. Double-click Forge's executable JAR file.

If you have Java installed, you will see a pop that allows you to choose it to open the JAR file.

If you don't have Java installed on your PC, you will see a pop-up message asking you to install Java. You can do so by heading to https://www.java.com/en/download/ and pressing the red “Agree and Start Free Download” button.

This will download a .exe file with a file name similar to jre-8u321-windows-x64.exe for Java Standard Edition, where 8 is the Java version, and 321 is the update version. Once you download the executable, double-click it to install Java.

With Java installed, the Minecraft Forge installer will open. You will be able to choose between the following three options:

• Install client
• Install server
• Extract

Ensure that the Install client radio button is selected. You will also see the default Minecraft installation path: C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft. In case you have selected a different installation path you can click the button with the three dots, navigate to the installation location and click Open.

For this guide, we will be using the default Minecraft installation path.

Next, click OK to begin the installation process.

The installer will download and install the required files and libraries. If the installation is successful you will see the following message:

That's it; now you have Minecraft Forge installed on your PC. With forge installed, you will see a new profile once you open the Minecraft Launcher that will include Minecraft Forge's version and snapshot.

Once you click PLAY and you enter Minecraft's main menu, you will see a new Mods option, allowing you to access Minecraft mods and the mod installation folder.

You will now be able to install Minecraft shaders, texture packs, and mods like OptiFine.

While you are here, you may also want to check our guide to Minecraft console commands and cheats or some fantastic Minecraft house ideas.