dotClique

How to install Minecraft modpacks without CurseForge

A lot of Minecraft modpacks use CurseForge to manage and simplify installing modpacks. However, this usually means you need to install their launcher, which sometimes adds unnecessary overhead, or is unsupported on your platform (e.g. Arch Linux).

Follow these simple steps to install a CurseForge modpack using the vanilla launcher.

  1. Download the vanilla launcher if you don’t have it already.
    • Minecraft.net/download.
    • Depending on your platform, consider scrolling down for the Legacy Launcher or Distro-specific installations.
  2. Navigate to the modpack on the CurseForge website (I will use SkyFactory 4 as an example, specifically version 4.2.4).
  3. Identify the correct version of Minecraft from the modpack-information (e.g. 1.12.2).
  4. Install the corresponding version of Vanilla.
    • Minecraft: Java Edition > Installations > New installation > Version.
  5. Download and install Minecraft Forge for the correct Vanilla version (e.g. 1.12.2 - 14.23.5.2859).
    • Download the installer and run it.
  6. Download the modpack client-files
    • On the CurseForge website open the Files-tab and select the version you want.
    • Press Download to receive the client-files (e.g. SkyFactory 4 - 4.2.4.zip.
  7. Download the modpack server-files.
    • From the client-files site (step 6.) open the tab Additional Files and press on the server-files.
    • Press Download to receive the server-files (e.g. SkyFactory 4 - 4.2.4 Server Files).
  8. Create a new installation in Minecraft Launcher for the modpack
    • Minecraft: Java Edition > Installation > New installation
    • Set Name to the name of the modpack (e.g. SkyFactory 4 - 4.2.4).
    • For Version you must select the installed Forge-version of Minecraft (e.g. release 1.12.2-forge-14.23.6.2859).
    • For Game Directory it is recommended to create a new directory to separate Vanilla and modpack-files.
      • Press Browse and create a new directory beside the default minecraft-folder.
      • e.g. C:\Users\USERNAME\Appdata\Roaming\.minecraft_sf4 on Windows.
    • Usually you can leave Resolution to default (auto).
    • For a smoother experience, you should usually increase the memory Minecraft can use.
      • Press on More Options to show the Java options.
      • In JVM Arguments increase maximum memory (-Xmx).
      • How much memory you should use depends on the modpack and your system.
      • Default is -Xmx2G, which provides Minecraft with 2 GB of RAM.
      • Change it to e.g. -Xmx8G to use 8 GB.
      • Leave the rest of the JVM Arguments as is.
    • Press Save.
  9. Navigate to the minecraft-installation directory.
    • From the Installation-tab in the Minecraft Launcher (Minecraft: Java Edition > Installations).
    • Hover over the installation created in step 8 and press on the folder-icon next to Play.
    • e.g. C:\Users\USERNAME\Appdata\Roaming\.minecraft_sf4 on Windows.
  10. Copy the mods folder from the server files
    • Unzip the server-files downloaded earlier
    • Copy the contents of the mods folder to the mods folder in the installation directory.
      • e.g. into C:\Users\USERNAME\Appdata\Roaming\.minecraft_sf4\mods on Windows.
    • NB: Only the mods folder from the server files.
  11. Copy the contents of the overrides folder from the client files.
    • Unzip the client files downloaded earlier.
    • Copy the contents of the overrides folder into the installation directory.
      • e.g. into C:\Users\USERNAME\Appdata\Roaming\.minecraft_sf4 on Windows.
    • NB: Not into a subdirectory called overrides, but directly into the installation directory.
    • Overwrite any conflicting files.
  12. Launch the profile from the Minecraft Launcher.

Resources

This article is based on this answer by Master_Timkles on reddit.