How to remove snapshots from Minecraft launcher

It seems that there are many users who have difficulty uninstalling programs like SnapShot from their systems. Some experience issues during uninstallation, whereas other encounter problems after the program is removed.

These are the main reasons why SnapShot is uninstalled by users:

  • The program is not compatible with other installed applications.
  • The program crashes or hangs periodically/frequently.
  • The program is not as good as the user expected.
  • The program is being re-installed (uninstalled and installed again afterwards).
  • The program is regarded by the user and/or some websites as a potentially malicious.
  • The program is not listed in the Windows Settings or Control Panel.
  • After removing the program, some of its related processes still run on the computer.
  • Some traces of the program can still can be found on the computer.
  • Removing process running for a long time and does not come to the end.

Possible problems that can arise during uninstallation of SnapShot

  • The program’s built-in uninstaller does not start or does not operate properly.
  • A file required for the uninstallation to complete could not be run.
  • Due to an error, not all of the files were successfully uninstalled.
  • Another process is preventing the program from being uninstalled.

There could be other causes why users may not be able to uninstall SnapShot. An incomplete uninstallation of a program may cause problems, which is why thorough removal of programs is recommended.

How to uninstall SnapShot completely

Method 1: Uninstall SnapShot with a third-party uninstaller.

  • Download and install Revo Uninstaller Pro - 30 days fully functional trial version

  • Start Revo Uninstaller Pro and open the module "Logs Database"

    How to remove snapshots from Minecraft launcher

  • In the Search field type "SnapShot" and you will see all logs of "SnapShot" in the database compatible with your Windows Version.

  • Select the appropriate log by version from the list and press the "Uninstall" button from the toolbar

    How to remove snapshots from Minecraft launcher

  • You will see few popping up windows showing the download and import of the log to your Revo Uninstaller Pro and then the main Uninstall dialog that shows the progress of the uninstall of SnapShot.

Note: If you see SnapShot listed in the "All programs" tab, another approach is to start the uninstall from there and if Revo Uninstaller Pro detects an appropriate log from its database it will be automatically used for the uninstall.

Method 2: Uninstall SnapShot via Apps and Features/Programs and Features.

  • Open the Start Menu and type Apps and Features

    How to remove snapshots from Minecraft launcher

  • Look for SnapShot in the list and click on it. The next step is to click on uninstall, so you can initiate the uninstallation.

    How to remove snapshots from Minecraft launcher

Method 3: Uninstall SnapShot with its uninstaller.exe.

Most of the computer programs have uninstall.exe or uninst000.exe in their installation folders. You need to execute these files in order to start the uninstallation process. Here are the steps:

  • Go to the installation folder of SnapShot. Most of the times it is located in C:\Programs files or C:\Program files(x86)

  • Locate uninstall.exe or uninst000.exe

    How to remove snapshots from Minecraft launcher

  • Double click the file to start the uninstallation process.

Method 4: Uninstall String with Run

  • Hold the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.

    How to remove snapshots from Minecraft launcher

  • this uninstallation string
    "C:\Program Files (x86)\Snapshot\uninstall.exe"

    and paste it in the Run command window and click OK.

  • Follow the instructions to complete the uninstallation.

  • Download 30 days free trial

    How to remove snapshots from Minecraft launcher

    This tutorial is exclusive to Java Edition. 

    It is possible to play a future snapshot in Minecraft, as well as previous versions that have been released, and it is quite easy too. However, many people don't know how to use or install them. This tutorial shows you how to install and play any type of snapshot, development version, or previously released version that is available in the launcher, as well as snapshots that are no longer available in the launcher.

    Available in the launcher[]

    How to remove snapshots from Minecraft launcher

    Check Enable snapshots to select snapshot builds.

    To play a snapshot, first, download the Minecraft launcher. The download link is available at minecraft.net/download.

    By default, you can choose and play release versions of Minecraft, e.g. 1.14.x, 1.15.x, 1.16.x and so forth. Also available are the development snapshots for the upcoming release, or for the most recent release if snapshots haven't begun yet for an upcoming release. Usually, only the last snapshot in per week is available, except for the most recent week, in which they're usually all available. Keep in mind that the exact list of snapshots available may vary, as it is at the discretion of Mojang which snapshots are listed. Snapshots are newer versions that have not been released as an update and are still a work in progress. Players can view said snapshots as well.

    How to remove snapshots from Minecraft launcher

    This picture shows the drop-down menu of versions to select to play Minecraft. This screen can be accessed by pressing "New..." or editing another version preset, both accessible by going to "Installations".

    To play a snapshot or previous version of Minecraft, go into the "Installations" tab and click the "Snapshots" option in the top-right corner. This allows you to play both the latest release versions and development versions by switching profiles on the launcher. Keep in mind that Minecraft doesn't care about save data compatibility, so it is advised to use a temporary world when you test development builds (note that it is possible to enable snapshots without changing the game directory, however, separate game directories are a good practice to keep your worlds separated and prevent compatibility issues from destroying your maps).

    No longer available in the launcher[]

    Each time the launcher closes, it automatically removes snapshots from its Use version list that don't belong to its current set of snapshots, which, as explained above, is usually the most recent set of snapshots, and usually only the last one per week. Due to this, older snapshots become unavailable from that list over time, but the launcher can certainly still play them. Though the launcher's list is kept short, Mojang doesn't remove old snapshot files from the location on the web that the launcher uses. So here's how to do this:

    Step 1: Navigate to the specific snapshot page on this wiki, which can be accessed via the snapshot history page, and download the client .jar and .json on the right-hand side of the page.

    Note: on most web browsers, the .jar file downloads automatically when opening the link. However, on most web browsers, clicking the link to the .json file will show the JSON's contents instead of automatically downloading it. If this is the case, right-click anywhere on the page and choose "Save page as" or something similar. It will automatically save it as a .json file.

    For the remaining steps, close Minecraft and the launcher.

    Step 2: Go to your .minecraft/versions folder:

    • Windows: %appdata%\.minecraft\versions\ (Simply put this in your address bar & hit enter)
    • Linux: ~/.minecraft/versions/ (this folder may be hidden in the "Home" folder)*
    * To unhide files in the 'Home' folder, press Ctrl + H
    • Mac OS X: ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/versions/ (this folder may be hidden)

    Step 3: Create a folder with the same name as the snapshot, for instance "12w15a" or "14w02a".

    Step 4: Move the .jar and .json files that you downloaded into that folder.

    Step 5: Rename both the .jar and .json files to the same name as the snapshot (for example: 14w02a.jar and 14w02a.json).

    Step 6: Start the launcher, then follow the instructions from the previous section. You will be able to select the version you downloaded.

    Congratulations, you have installed a snapshot!

    Warnings[]

    • Opening existing single player worlds is not without risk: they might become broken or unloadable. If you load the map in the new snapshot and later you downgrade the version, the map might contain features that do not exist in that version yet, thus corrupting it. A map can also become corrupt by any bugs in the new snapshot.
    Don't take any risks: backup your saves (located in .minecraft\saves).
    • Minecraft has a tendency of deleting older snapshot folders from the .minecraft\versions folder when the launcher closes. It is advised to copy the snapshot folder you have just created into a safe location.
    • Worlds that are not made while snapshot is activated will not be able to be played without possibly messing up the world. Make a new world when snapshot loaded. When not playing in snapshot, world that was made during snapshot will not be able to be played.