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Minecraft URL Launcher

Now updated for Minecraft 1.6!

McURL, the Minecraft URL Launcher, is a unique tool that allows you to jump onto Minecraft SMP servers straight from your favorite browser. Like Minecraft itself, McURL requires Java. The Windows edition definitely works, and the Linux and Mac OS X versions work most of the time but apparently not always (feedback would be appreciated).

The actual operation of McURL is very simple. When you click an McURL link (minecraft:// links), your browser launches McURL, which confirms that you'd like to connect to the server and then starts the normal Minecraft launcher where you can select a profile and log in. Starting Minecraft through the launcher will then connect to the server automatically. Make sure you've used the normal Minecraft launcher at least once before using McURL.

Want to contact me about McURL, be it a problem, comment, or suggestion? Visit the thread on the Minecraft Forums or on the Bukkit Forums and leave me a message. If you want to use McURL to link to your own server, check out the For Server Owners section at the bottom of the page.

Minecraft URL Launcher

Changelog

Download and Install

Windows

  1. Download the Windows executable: McURL.exe (68.21 KB)
  2. Extract it somewhere, preferably a path with no spaces.
  3. Run McURL.exe as admin in order to install it.
  4. Follow the instructions for your browser below.
  5. Alternative zip download link: mcurl.zip (52.15 KB)

Mac OS X

Please note that Mac OS X support is experimental; there are still some kinks being worked out and it may not work for you.

  1. Download the OSX package: McURL.app.zip (61.05 KB)
  2. Extract the app somewhere.
  3. Run the app once. It will probably appear to do nothing.
  4. Follow the instructions for your browser below.

Linux (Gnome or KDE)

  1. Download the Linux package: mcurl.tar.gz (32.45 KB)
  2. Extract it somewhere.
  3. Right-click mcurl.gnome.sh or mcurl.kde.sh and select Properties.
  4. Set the file as executable.
  5. Double-click mcurl.gnome.sh or mcurl.kde.sh. It will open briefly then close.
  6. Follow the instructions for your browser below.

Linux (Firefox)

  1. Download the Linux package: mcurl.tar.gz (32.45 KB)
  2. Extract it somewhere. Delete the .sh files if you wish.
  3. Type 'about:config' into the address bar and hit Enter.
  4. Right click and pick New -> Boolean.
  5. Enter the name "network.protocol-handler.expose.minecraft" and value "false".
  6. Click the following link: minecraft://example.com/.
  7. Select "Choose program" and navigate to where you saved the jarfile.
  8. Select the jarfile, check "Remember my choice for minecraft links," and click OK.

Test in Browser

Internet Explorer

  1. Click the following link: minecraft://example.com/.
  2. Select 'Allow' on the dialog that looks like this:
    Internet Explorer
  3. Select 'Allow' again on the dialog that looks like this:
    Internet Explorer
  4. The launcher should open! You are good to go.

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Click the following link: minecraft://example.com/.
  2. On the following dialog, select the first entry, check "Remember my choice for minecraft links," and click OK.
    Firefox
  3. The launcher should open! You are good to go.

Google Chrome

  1. Click the following link: minecraft://example.com/.
  2. On the following dialog, check "Remember my choice for all links of this type" and click "Launch Application".
    Chrome
  3. The launcher should open! You are good to go.

For Developers

McURL 2 and its source code are licenced under the MIT license and available on GitHub. URLs follow the form minecraft://server[:port][/]. If you can contact me (SpaceManiac on irc.esper.net, or on the forums) with information about setting up McURL on other browsers or operating systems, I'd much appreciate it. I'm especially looking for help with Mac OS X - there is an application available, but it doesn't seem to be entirely stable and I don't have easy access to a Mac.

For Server Owners

Run a server? Link to it with McURL! Enter a server address in the form server:port, or leave off the port for the default of 25565:
Address
HTML
BBCode
Alternate
Use if BBCode above does not work for a certain forum
Preview  
Tad Hardesty, 2014–2023.