To transfer a Minecraft world to another Windows computer, copy the world’s folder to a USB drive or cloud storage and paste it into the same Minecraft folder on the new PC. For Java Edition, worlds are in %appdata%\.minecraft\saves. For Bedrock Edition, the easiest way is in the game: open the world’s Edit menu, choose Export World to save a .mcworld file, then double-click that file on the new PC to import it.
Both computers need the same edition. A Java world won’t open in Bedrock, and the other way around, without conversion tools.
Quick Answer
Java: copy the world folder from %appdata%\.minecraft\saves to the same folder on the new PC. Bedrock: Edit > Export World, move the .mcworld file, and double-click it on the new PC.
Transfer a Java Edition World
- Close Minecraft on the old PC.
- Press Win + R, type %appdata%\.minecraft\saves, and press Enter.
- Right-click the world’s folder and choose Compress to ZIP file (or Send to > Compressed folder).
- Copy the ZIP to a USB drive, or upload it to cloud storage.
- On the new PC, run Minecraft once so the folders exist, then open %appdata%\.minecraft\saves there.
- Extract the ZIP into the saves folder. Make sure the world folder (the one containing level.dat) sits directly inside saves.
- Start Minecraft; the world appears in Singleplayer.
Transfer a Bedrock Edition World
Option 1: Export and import (recommended)
- In Minecraft, click Play and find the world.
- Click the Edit (pencil) button, scroll down on the Game settings, and click Export World.
- Save the .mcworld file and copy it to the new PC.
- On the new PC, double-click the .mcworld file. Minecraft opens and imports it.
Option 2: Copy the folder
Current Bedrock versions store worlds in %appdata%\Minecraft Bedrock\Users\[your number]\games\com.mojang\minecraftWorlds. Copy the world’s folder into the same location on the new PC. See how to find Minecraft world files for older paths and more detail.
Transfer Methods Compared
| Method | Edition | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Copy the saves folder | Java | Any size world, offline |
| Export World (.mcworld) | Bedrock | Simplest single-file transfer |
| Realms upload | Java and Bedrock (with a Realms subscription) | Playing the same world from several PCs |
| Cloud storage | Both | Moving without a USB drive |
Troubleshooting
- The world doesn’t show up: The folder is nested too deep (a folder inside a folder). Move the world folder so level.dat is one level below saves or minecraftWorlds.
- “This world uses a newer version”: Update Minecraft on the new PC; see how to update Minecraft on Windows 10.
- Mods or resource packs are missing: Copy them too, from the mods and resourcepacks folders (Java) or the world’s packs.
- The old Bedrock path is empty: Worlds moved to the new AppData location in a 2025 update. Check there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play my Java world on Bedrock?
Not directly. The formats differ, and third-party converters don’t always keep everything.
Do worlds transfer automatically when I sign in on a new PC?
No. Local worlds stay on the PC where they were created, unless they’re on a Realm.
Should I back up before transferring?
Yes. Keep the ZIP or .mcworld file as a backup until the world works on the new PC.
Summary
- Java: copy the world folder from %appdata%\.minecraft\saves.
- Bedrock: use Edit > Export World.
- Move the file with a USB drive or cloud storage.
- Paste or import it on the new PC with the same edition.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.