If you want to play Minecraft Bedrock on your PC for free, don‘t worry – you have options! As a fellow Minecraft fan, let me walk you through the various legitimate ways to get Minecraft Windows 10 Edition without paying the full $30 price tag. I‘ve got you covered with free trials, discounts, Xbox Game Pass, and even borrowing from friends. Keep reading and I‘ll explain multiple methods to access one of the world‘s most popular games at little to no cost.
What Is Minecraft Bedrock Edition?
First, let‘s quickly go over what Minecraft Bedrock Edition is. Minecraft has two main versions:
- Minecraft Java Edition – The original PC game, playable on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- Minecraft Bedrock Edition – Designed for cross-platform play. Available on mobile, Windows 10, consoles, and more.
Bedrock allows players across different platforms to play together online. It also gets frequent updates and has in-app purchases for player skins and texture packs.
Minecraft for Windows 10 and other Bedrock versions retail for $30. But don‘t let that stop you from enjoying it! Keep reading and I‘ll share multiple tricks for getting Bedrock free or cheap.
Method 1: Try Minecraft Bedrock with a Free Trial
The easiest way to try Minecraft Bedrock for free is with the Minecraft trial. Here‘s how it works:
- Go to minecraft.net and click "Get Minecraft."
- Under Minecraft for Windows, click the "Try for free" button.
- Log in with your Microsoft account or create one if needed.
- Click "Install" to download and install the Minecraft launcher.
- Launch Minecraft and enjoy a free 5-day trial of the full Bedrock Edition!
This free trial gives you complete access to Survival, Creative, and multiplayer modes for 5 days. You can build, mine, and explore to your heart‘s content. The only catch is that once the trial expires, you won‘t be able to play until you purchase the game.
So be sure to make the most of those 5 days! Play on multiplayer servers, create some epic Redstone contraptions, or just wander around admiring the beautiful blocky landscapes. The free trial lets you experience everything Minecraft Bedrock has to offer.
Method 2: Get Minecraft with Xbox Game Pass
Here‘s an awesome tip: Minecraft Bedrock is included free with Xbox Game Pass for PC. For $9.99 a month, Game Pass subscribers get access to over 100 games on Windows. And Minecraft is one of those titles!
Here‘s what to do:
- Download and install the Xbox app on your PC if you don‘t have it yet.
- Subscribe to Xbox Game Pass for PC.
- Open the Xbox app and go to the Game Pass library.
- Find and install Minecraft for Windows.
- Launch and play Minecraft for free through the Xbox app!
As long as your Game Pass subscription remains active, you can enjoy Minecraft at no additional cost. You also get perks like free in-game content and partner offers.
Game Pass normally costs $9.99 a month, but you can often find it discounted to just $1 for the first month. Considering a full Minecraft copy costs $30, Game Pass is a stellar deal for bedrock access plus 100+ other games!
Method 3: Claim Your Free Bedrock Copy if You Own Java Edition
Already bought the original Java Edition? Great news: you qualify for a free Windows 10 code!
When Mojang released the unified Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition bundle, they granted free Bedrock copies to existing Java players. Here‘s how to redeem yours:
- Visit minecraft.net and make sure you‘re logged into your Mojang account.
- Click your account icon in the top right and select "My Games."
- Under "Claim your free Minecraft for Windows 10," click the button to get your code.
- Follow the instructions to download Minecraft for Windows 10.
- Launch Minecraft Bedrock Edition and enjoy your free unified Minecraft experience!
With access to both editions, you can play with friends across platforms and switch between the two versions. And it doesn‘t cost anything extra if you already bought Java before October 2018.
Method 4: Experience Classic Creative Mode for Free
Want a totally free way to get a little Minecraft fix? Check out Minecraft Classic – a basic creative mode version you can play right in your web browser.
To access it:
- Go to classic.minecraft.net
- Click "Play" to start building!
Minecraft Classic harkens back to 2009 era Minecraft. You get unlimited building blocks and complete freedom to construct anything you imagine. It‘s like a free sandbox full of LEGO bricks!
There‘s no survival elements or enemies, just pure unrestricted creativity. You can even invite friends to build together. It‘s a great way for new players to experience Minecraft with zero barriers.
Give it a try if you want a quick building fix or nostalgia trip. And it‘s 100% free forever with no limits.
Method 5: Use TLauncher to Play Cracked Minecraft
OK, time for a disclaimer: unofficial "cracked" Minecraft launchers violate the game‘s EULA and can come bundled with risky files. I don‘t recommend piracy, but understand some players have limited options. So here‘s what you need to know:
TLauncher is currently the most popular free cracked launcher. Here‘s how it works:
- Download and install TLauncher from tlauncher.org.
- Open TLauncher, install a Minecraft version, and click Play.
- Minecraft will launch in offline mode allowing access without an account.
This gives you unlimited playtime and full version features. But risks include malware and lack of multiplayer. Mojang does not support or condone piracy.
Again, I advise purchasing a legitimate copy if possible. But some players rely on cracked launchers, so I want to provide accurate information. Use discretion.
Method 6: Host Your Own Free Minecraft Server
Running a Minecraft server lets you play multiplayer online without each person owning the game. Options for hosting a free server include:
- Aternos: Completely free servers. Worlds reset after inactivity.
- Minehut: Limited but quality free server hosting.
- Scalacube: Offers a free server for up to 5 players.
The setup process takes more work, but then you can play together without individual copies. And you get to manage your own world!
Popular free server hosts have easy-to-use control panels. But you‘re responsible for configuration, moderation, backups, and updating. Running a server teaches valuable skills though.
If you and your friends are up for the challenge, having your own free Minecraft server can be extremely rewarding. You dictacte the rules, install mods, and always have multiplayer access.
Method 7: Play on Official Minecraft Demo Servers
For quick free multiplayer access, Minecraft offers a few demo servers that anyone can join:
- Go to minecraft.net and under Multiplayer, click "Add Server."
- Add the address demo.playminecraft.net and click Join Server.
- You‘re now playing on an official demo server – no login needed!
The Minecraft demo server provides a persistent shared survival world you can explore alongside other players. You can chat, build, mine, and survive together even without an account.
It‘s a nice legal way to try multiplayer and see what the Minecraft community offers. Demo servers are accessible directly from minecraft.net with zero hassle. Definitely worth checking out!
Method 8: Watch for Free Trial Promotions
Occasionally Minecraft and third-party retailers offer special free trial promotions. Here are a few examples to watch for:
- Free Play Weekends – Periodically Minecraft grants free temporary game access.
- Minecraft Live – Free access coinciding with the annual Minecraft Live event.
- Epic Games Store – May offer 1 week Minecraft trials during sales.
- Giveaways – Follow Minecraft social media for potential free copy giveaways.
There‘s no set schedule, but opportunities like these pop up a few times per year. Follow Minecraft news sites and subreddit to stay informed on the latest free offers. With some luck, you could play Bedrock completely free for a few days during promotions.
Method 9: Borrow from or Game Share with a Friend
If you know someone who already owns Minecraft for Windows 10, you have a couple options for borrowing their access:
- Microsoft Family – Get shared Bedrock access by joining their Microsoft family.
- Account Sharing – Borrow their login temporarily to install and play.
- Gift Codes – They can share spare codes if purchased in a bundle.
Of course, always ask permission first before using someone else‘s account or game copy. But some players are happy to share the game with friends and family.
So if you have a gracious Minecraft-owning buddy, don‘t be shy to ask about getting their hand-me-down Bedrock copy. Most people are willing to spread the blocky joy.
Is It Legal to Play Minecraft for Free?
Let‘s quickly go over legality when it comes to free access options:
- Official Sources – Minecraft trials, promotions, demo servers, etc, are 100% legitimate.
- Game Sharing – Borrowing or getting gifted codes from friends is perfectly legal.
- Xbox Game Pass – You‘re paying for a subscription, so playing included games is authorized.
- Cracked Launchers – These violate Minecraft‘s EULA and Terms, so use with caution.
The safest free options come directly from Mojang or Microsoft. And always make sure to have permission before using someone else‘s account or game copy. But free trials, Game Pass, gifts, and borrowing are all valid legal ways to enjoy Minecraft.
What‘s the Cheapest Way to Buy Minecraft Bedrock?
Free is great, but if you need to purchase Minecraft outright, there are tricks to get the lowest price:
- Wait for sales. Minecraft Windows 10 goes 50% off or more several times per year.
- Buy bundle deals that include the game plus extra goodies.
- Check for discounted gift cards to use on the Minecraft Store.
- Split family plan costs with friends to save on bulk licenses.
- Buy unused codes online from authorized resellers.
Using coupon codes and being smart with sales, you can often grab Minecraft Bedrock for only $15-$20. The historical all-time low price has been just $10!
Here are some reputable sites to watch for the hottest Minecraft deals and promos:
- Minecraft.net – Occasional direct sales
- Microsoft Store – Frequent Xbox sales with stackable coupons
- IsThereAnyDeal – Price history and deal notifications
- CDKeys – Legit discounted game keys
Never pay full price for Minecraft! With vigilance and a little luck, you can buy Bedrock for as low as 50-75% off.
Let‘s Play Minecraft Together for Free!
Trying out Minecraft for the first time? Already a seasoned player? No matter – playing together is always more fun.
If you want to team up and enjoy Minecraft for free, I‘m down! Just send me a message and let‘s connect. We can battle zombies, explore infinite worlds, or construct epic buildings side-by-side.
No pressure of course – the invitation to adventure is open. It‘s always a blast journeying across blocky worlds with new friends.
So seriously, hit me up if you want to squad up in Minecraft. We‘ll embark on thrilling quests, ingenious Redstone machines, and peaceful creative building at zero cost. The only limit is our shared imagination!
Hope this guide gives you plenty of options to start playing this classic game free or cheap. Now grab your diamond pickaxe and let‘s smash some blocks!
