The Edition Installer lets you switch your Minecraft server between different server software — Paper, Forge, Fabric, Purpur, Vanilla, proxies, and more — directly from the Game Panel, without needing to manually download or upload files.
How to Install an Edition
- Stop your server if it is running.
- In the Game Panel, click Advanced in the left navigation menu.
- Click Server Actions.
- Under the Install Different Edition section, select your desired software from the Edition dropdown.
- Select the Minecraft version from the Version dropdown below it.
- Click Install Different Edition and wait for the confirmation notification.
- Start your server.
Format — Full Server Wipe
The FORMAT toggle appears below the version selector. When enabled, all files on your server are permanently deleted before the new edition is installed. This gives you a completely clean slate.
When to use Format:
- You want a fresh start with a new world and clean configuration
- You’re switching between fundamentally different edition types (e.g. a plugin server to a mod loader, or one mod loader to another) and leftover files are causing issues
- You’re repurposing a server for an entirely different setup
When NOT to use Format:
- Updating the same edition to a newer version (e.g. Paper 1.20 → Paper 1.21) — the installer handles this without wiping
- Switching within the same plugin server family (e.g. Spigot → Paper) where existing plugins and world files are compatible
Available Editions
The following editions are available in the installer. Snapshot editions track pre-release Minecraft versions and may be unstable. For detailed descriptions of each software type, see Minecraft Server Software Types.
Vanilla
| Edition | Description |
|---|---|
| Vanilla | The official Mojang server. No plugin or mod support. Pure, unmodified Minecraft. |
| Vanilla (Snapshots) | Pre-release Vanilla builds. Unstable — for testing only. |
Plugin Servers
Players connect with a standard unmodified Minecraft client. Plugins run server-side only.
| Edition | Description |
|---|---|
| Paper ✓ | Recommended for most servers. Fork of Spigot with better performance, security patches, and a large plugin ecosystem. |
| Paper (Snapshots) | Pre-release Paper builds for testing. |
| Purpur | Fork of Paper with additional configuration options. Use when you need control beyond what Paper exposes. |
| Spigot | Legacy plugin server. Use Paper instead for new setups. |
| CraftBukkit | Original Bukkit server. Superseded by Spigot and Paper. |
Mod Loaders
Players must install the same mod loader and mods on their own computer to connect.
| Edition | Description |
|---|---|
| Forge | The original mod loader. Largest back-catalog of mods, especially for 1.19 and earlier. |
| Forge (Snapshots) | Pre-release Forge builds. |
| NeoForge | Fork of Forge, now the primary choice for 1.20+. Most new Forge-ecosystem mods target NeoForge. |
| NeoForge (Snapshots) | Pre-release NeoForge builds. |
| Fabric | Lightweight mod loader. Updates to new Minecraft versions faster than Forge/NeoForge. |
| Fabric (Snapshots) | Pre-release Fabric builds, often supporting new Minecraft snapshots within days. |
| Quilt | Fork of Fabric with an expanded modding API. Compatible with most Fabric mods. Use when your mods require Quilt specifically. |
| Quilt (Snapshots) | Pre-release Quilt builds. |
Hybrid Servers
| Edition | Description |
|---|---|
| MohistMC | Runs Forge mods and Bukkit/Spigot plugins together. |
| Banner | Runs NeoForge mods and Bukkit/Spigot plugins together. For 1.20+ hybrid setups. |
| Sponge (Vanilla) | Standalone SpongeVanilla server. Runs Sponge plugins on a vanilla Minecraft base (no Forge required). |
| Sponge (Vanilla) (Snapshots) | Pre-release SpongeVanilla builds. |
Proxy Servers
Proxies connect multiple backend servers into a network. They do not run worlds or gameplay themselves — you need separate server instances behind them.
| Edition | Description |
|---|---|
| Velocity ✓ | Recommended for new proxy setups. Modern, fast, and secure. Built by the PaperMC team. |
| Velocity (Snapshots) | Pre-release Velocity builds. |
| BungeeCord | The original Minecraft proxy. Legacy option. |
| Waterfall | Fork of BungeeCord with improved Forge compatibility. |
For proxy setup guides, see Minecraft Java Proxy Servers.
Fabric Loader Versions
The installer includes all stable Minecraft versions for most editions. Fabric is the exception: for each Minecraft version, only the latest Fabric loader is available (e.g., loader 0.16.10 for 1.21.4). Older loader builds for the same Minecraft version are not offered.
If you need a specific older Fabric loader version, you’ll need to install it manually:
- Download the server JAR for your chosen loader version from fabricmc.net/use/server.
- Upload it to your server via SFTP.
- Update the Server JAR filename in Configuration → Startup Parameters to match.
See How to Install Fabric on Your Minecraft Server for the full manual installation guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — not unless you enable the FORMAT toggle. Without Format enabled, the installer replaces the server JAR but leaves all existing files (world, configs, plugins, mods) in place. Some editions may not work properly with files left over from a different type, so check the notes for your specific edition.
Format deletes all files on your server before installing the new edition. This gives you a completely clean slate. It cannot be undone — always take a backup before enabling it.
Technically yes, but mods from one loader are not compatible with the other, and leftover mod files can cause startup errors. Using Format for a clean install is strongly recommended when switching between mod loaders.
The edition is the server software (e.g. Paper, Forge, Vanilla). The version is the Minecraft version that edition runs on (e.g. 1.21.4). You select both separately in the installer.
The installer includes all stable releases for most editions. For Fabric, only the latest loader version is offered per Minecraft version — if you need a specific older loader build, you'll need to install it manually via SFTP and update the Server JAR filename in Configuration → Startup Parameters.