What type of file is a minecraft world ? Files with .MCWORLD store data compressed as ZIP archive that stores Minecraft world backup copies. Files in Minecraft World Backup File format can contain such files as TXT or DAT and other necessary world assets. MCWORLD files are supported by Minecraft Bedrock and Education Editions. Such files are typically used to save world backup copies and to share created worlds with other users. A similar format, MCTEMPLATE, is used to store Minecraft world templates. MCADDON and MCPACK are also used.

Opening and using MCWORLD files

Downloaded MCWORLD files should be opened in Minecraft automatically. If the file does not load, one can manually copy world folder to dedicated folder and unpack the ZIP archive (changing the MCWORLD extension to ZIP may be required). By using archive tools that support ZIP files user can browse the contents of MCWORLD.

Programs which support MCWORLD file extension

Below you will find an index of software programs that can be used to open MCWORLD files divided into 2 categories according to system platform supported. MCWORLD files can be encountered on all system platforms, including mobile, yet there is no guarantee each will properly support such files.

How to open file with MCWORLD extension?

Problems with accessing MCWORLD may be due to various reasons. Fortunately, most common problems with MCWORLD files can be solved without in-depth IT knowledge, and most importantly, in a matter of minutes. We have prepared a listing of which will help you resolve your problems with MCWORLD files.

Step 1. Download and install Minecraft

Problems with opening and working with MCWORLD files are most probably having to do with no proper software compatible with MCWORLD files being present on your machine. The most obvious solution is to download and install Minecraft or one to the listed programs: Apple Archive Utility, WinZip, 7-Zip. On the top of the page a list that contains all programs grouped based on operating systems supported can be found. The safest method of downloading Minecraft installed is by going to developer’s website (Markus Persson) and downloading

Step 2. Check the version of Minecraft and update if needed

If you already have Minecraft installed on your systems and MCWORLD files are still not opened properly, check if you have the latest version of the software. It may also happen that software creators by updating their applications add compatibility with other, newer file formats. The reason that Minecraft cannot handle files with MCWORLD may be that the software is outdated. The most recent version of Minecraft is backward compatible and can handle file formats supported by older versions of the software.

Step 3. Assign Minecraft to MCWORLD files

If you have the latest version of Minecraft installed and the problem persists, select it as the default program to be used to manage MCWORLD on your device. The method is quite simple and varies little across operating systems.

Should the problem still occur after following steps 1-3, check if the MCWORLD file is valid. Being unable to access the file can be related to various issues.

1. The MCWORLD may be infected with malware – make sure to scan it with an antivirus tool.

If the MCWORLD is indeed infected, it is possible that the malware is blocking it from opening. It is advised to scan the system for viruses and malware as soon as possible or use an online antivirus scanner. If the scanner detected that the MCWORLD file is unsafe, proceed as instructed by the antivirus program to neutralize the threat.

2. Check whether the file is corrupted or damaged

Did you receive the MCWORLD file in question from a different person? Ask him/her to send it one more time. During the copy process of the file errors may occurred rendering the file incomplete or corrupted. This could be the source of encountered problems with the file. When downloading the file with MCWORLD extension from the internet an error may occurred resulting in incomplete file. Try downloading the file again.

3. Check if the user that you are logged as has administrative privileges.

There is a possibility that the file in question can only be accessed by users with sufficient system privileges. Switch to an account that has required privileges and try opening the Minecraft World Backup Format file again.

4. Verify that your device fulfills the requirements to be able to open Minecraft
If the systems has insufficient resources to open MCWORLD files, try closing all currently running applications and try again.

5. Check if you have the latest updates to the operating system and drivers

Latest versions of programs and drivers may help you solve problems with Minecraft World Backup Format files and ensure security of your device and operating system. It may be the case that the MCWORLD files work properly with updated software that addresses some system bugs.

Where Are Minecraft Worlds Saved?

Java Edition

In Java Edition, Minecraft Worlds are saved in the .minecraft\saves folder. When you open this folder, you will find that each Minecraft World has a separate folder. In addition to worlds, the .minecraft folder contains other files, including .jar files, sounds, music, personal options, resource packs, and more.

In Minecraft Worlds Java Edition, each dimension has its own poi, data and region folders.

Bedrock Edition

In Bedrock Edition, each Minecraft World has its own separate folder and is located at games/com.mojang/minecraftworlds on Windows 11/10. Chunks files for all dimensions are located in the db1 folder.

How to Recover the Deleted Minecraft World

To recover a deleted Minecraft World, follow the instructions below:

• Step 1: Open the .minecraft\saves folder. There, you will find the folders of the worlds that you have created in Minecraft.
• Step 2: Now, right-click the World folder that you want to recover to select Properties.
• Step 3: Then, click the Previous versions tab. It should display all the previous versions of Minecraft World. Select the world from the list and click Restore.

Downloading Server Worlds

Starting off with the first step, you’ll need to download the world off your Minecraft server. This is done by using an FTP client such as FileZilla or Cyberduck, which hooks into your files. Once connected, you’ll be able to directly download any world onto your computer.

However, smaller maps could be done by zipping them from the FTP panel instead. This should allow you to easily download the world files, but may disallow you from doing it if they exceed a certain size. We strongly recommend using an external client for this process, as it’ll 100% guarantee that you can obtain any world. However, there may be multiple folders for your map files which can make downloading them more confusing.

World Folder Format

Due to some server types having multiple world folders, it’s important to understand their format. We’ve created a list of the popular ones down below so you can quickly learn more about them.

This comes in handy when downloading and uploading maps to singleplayer, as you may need to merge some files. We’ll discuss this more in detail later on in the subsections. Keep in mind that some plugins or mods may store these files in other areas and possibly change the format. For example, Multiverse allows you to create worlds in-game with it formatting the data into one folder.

Above is information what type of file is a minecraft world.   Hopefully, through the above content, you have a more detailed understanding of what type of file is a minecraft world .Thank you for reading our post.