Optifine is an essential mod for any Minecraft player. It offers a lot: a performance boost, the ability to use shaders and more demanding resource packs, higher render distance, and so much more. So it’s a no-brainer to install!
But how to install OptiFine 1.18 so that you can enjoy these benefits as well? Continue reading to find out.
3 Ways of Installing OptiFine
There are a total of three ways of installing Optifine! Each one is tailored to a player’s specific needs.
Method #1 – The Normal Way
The first method is the usual way of doing it. This way, you’ll only install OptiFine and nothing else. That will let you get those impressive performance boosts and play shaders on servers. However, you won’t be able to play with mods.
Method #2 – Using Forge
If you want to play with mods, you might want to install it with Forge. That way, you’ll be able to play with many impressive mods while enjoying that FPS boost and beautiful shaders. However, since you’re playing with mods, you won’t be able to play on vanilla servers.
Method #3 – Using Fabric
Fabric is the other competitive mod loader for Minecraft. With this method of installing, you’ll be able to have an increased performance boost and shaders while being able to play the hundreds of Fabric mods.
Related: Learn more about the differences between Fabric and Forge here.
Installation #1 – The Normal Way
For the first method, it’s super easy to install. That’s because OptiFine can be installed with just two clicks. Here’s how you do it.
Step #1 – Download OptiFine
Here’s how to download Optifine 1.18. First, go to the Optifine download page. In there, you should find a page with the latest OptiFine version. Once there, click the blue download button.
After clicking, you should get an Adfocus link. Don’t click anything, and wait for five seconds until a skip button appears. Now you’re greeted with another Optifine Download page. Click the blue Download button again, and your .jar file should be downloaded.
P.S If you want an older version of OptiFine, you can click the show all versions link.
Step #2 – Install OptiFine
Once the .jar file has been downloaded, open it. Once opened, you should be greeted with a window like in the picture above. Just double-check if the folder is correct, and hit “install.” And within a few seconds, OptiFine has been installed.
You can double-check it by launching your game launcher and seeing a new profile created.
Installation #2 – Using Forge
However, if you’re looking for how to install Optifine 1.18 with Forge, you’ll have to do it a bit differently. However, this shouldn’t be hard as it requires one more step.
Step #1 – Download & Install Forge
The first step is to install Forge. You can do it by going to Forge’s website and clicking the Installer button. Just like with OptiFine, you’ll go to an Adfocus page. Just wait the five seconds and hit “Skip.” After clicking that, your download should start.
Once downloaded, click the .jar file, and you should be greeted with an installation window like on the right side of the picture. Check for two things: you’re installing the client, and that Forge has selected the correct folder. Then, click “OK,” and within a minute or two, Forge is installed!
Step #2 – Download and Install OptiFine
Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to install OptiFine. Download Optifine as written on the first method. And then, instead of clicking the file, locate your mods folder.
You can do it by going to your search bar and searching for “%appdata%.” Then click the “.minecraft” folder, and find your mods folder. Once you’ve located it, drop the .jar file there. Now you have installed OptiFine with Forge.
Installation #3 – Using Fabric
If you’re looking to play with Fabric mods, then you’ll basically go through the same process as Forge. The only difference between them is what mods you’re installing. So instead of Forge mod loader, you’re installing Fabric. And instead of OptiFine, you’re installing OptiFabric.
Step #1 – Download and Install Fabric
To install Fabric, you need to first go to Fabric’s downloads page, where you can see the “Download for Windows” button. Click it, and you should start downloading a fabric installer. After it’s downloaded, click the .exe file, and you should see a window pop up like in the image.
Like other methods, check if the install location is correct and hit “Install.”
Step #2 – Download and Install OptiFabric
Now all you need to do is install OptiFabric. And here’s how to download OptiFine 1.18 for Fabric! First, download the file on Curseforge, and then like before, find your mods folder, and drop the .jar file there. Once you’ve completed that, you’re ready to play!
P.S Since you’re going to play with Fabric mods, I highly recommend you to install Fabric API as well since it’s needed for most Fabric mods. You’ll have to drop the file where you dropped OptiFabric.
Conclusion
And this is how to install OptiFine 1.18! Now you can enjoy your zoom button and shaders! Do you have any questions about the installation process? If you do, then don’t be afraid to comment it down below. I’ll make sure to clarify any questions you have!
