In order to download the Trial Version of Minecraft: Java Edition, simply head over to the official Minecraft website and try the game for free. Go to the official Minecraft website, link here.

Minecraft 1.21.1 debuted for Java Edition on August 8, 2024, as a hotfix update to fix a few critical exploits that were being used to intentionally crash multiplayer servers.

Rather than enrolling in a dedicated beta program, Minecraft: Java Edition allows you to select a slice of pre-release software for you to try.