--- title: "How to change your Minecraft version or server software" url: https://help.endercloud.in/docs/how-to-change-minecraft-version-or-server-software category: "Minecraft Hosting" type: Guide tags: ["minecraft", "panel", "software", "versions"] keywords: "versions tab, software tab, update server version, change minecraft version, downgrade server, switch to paper, switch to fabric, install forge, install neoforge, purpur, velocity, server jar, software manager, wipe server files, build number, update to 26.3, change version, update minecraft server, update to latest version, change server software, switch to vanilla, install fabric, downgrade minecraft version, minecraft version update, version change kaise kare" difficulty: beginner time: "5 minutes" updated: 2026-11-14 source: Endercloud Knowledge Base (official) --- # How to change your Minecraft version or server software > Back up, open the Versions tab, click the software, click a version, choose the Build, leave Wipe Server Files off, tick Accept EULA and click Install. Java is picked for you. You can change your Minecraft version or server software (Paper, Fabric, NeoForge, Vanilla and many more) yourself, any time, from the **Versions** tab in the Game Panel. The right Java version is selected automatically. Changing versions can affect your world, so **make a backup first**. ## Before you start: back up 1. Open your server in the Game Panel and click **Stop**. 2. Go to **Backups** → **Create backup** → **Start backup**. Download it too if the world matters. See [How to create and restore backups](/docs/how-to-create-and-restore-backups). ## Change the software or version 1. Open the **Versions** tab. The top shows what is *Currently running*, the *Installed Minecraft Version* and the *Installed Build*. 2. Click the software card you want, for example **Paper**, **Fabric** or **NeoForge**. 3. A list of versions opens. Each is marked **RELEASE** and shows how many builds it has. Click the version you want. (Wrong software? Click **Go Back**.) 4. A pop-up **"Install "** opens, for example "Install Paper 26.3". 5. **Build**: leave the newest build selected unless you need a specific one. 6. **Wipe Server Files**: leave it **off** to keep your world, plugins and configs. Turn it on only for a completely fresh start: it deletes all files on the server before installing, and this cannot be undone. 7. Tick **Accept EULA** to agree to the [Minecraft EULA](https://www.minecraft.net/eula). 8. Click **Install**. 9. Open **Console** to watch the install. When it finishes, click **Start**. ## What's in the list | Group | Software | | --- | --- | | Recommended | Vanilla, Paper, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Velocity | | Established | Purpur, Pufferfish, Folia, Sponge, Spigot, BungeeCord, Waterfall | | Experimental | Quilt, Canvas | | Miscellaneous | Velocity-CTD, Arclight, Mohist, Magma, DivineMC, Leaf, Leaves, ASPaper, Legacy Fabric | | Limbos | LooHP Limbo, NanoLimbo | Not sure which to choose? See [Which Minecraft server software should I choose?](/docs/which-minecraft-server-software-should-i-choose) > **Note:** > **Bedrock software** (Vanilla Bedrock, Nukkit, PocketmineMP) is not in the Versions tab. Switch to it with **Settings → Change Egg**. See [How to reinstall or change your server type](/docs/how-to-reinstall-or-change-your-server-type). **Modpacks** have their own tab: [How to install a modpack](/docs/how-to-install-a-modpack). ## Java is handled for you Each Minecraft version needs a matching Java version (for example Java 21 for 1.20.5 to 1.21.11, and Java 25 for 26.1 and newer). The Versions installer selects it automatically: a fresh Paper 26.3 server runs on Java 25 with no changes in **Startup**. Only if a server still fails with a Java error, see [How to change your Java version](/docs/how-to-change-your-minecraft-servers-java-version). ## World compatibility: read this before changing ### Going up a version is fine. Going down is not. Minecraft upgrades your world the first time a newer version loads it. After that, an older version **cannot open it safely**. Chunks may reset or the server may refuse to load the world. This is especially true for the big 26.1 update, which changed how worlds are stored. To go back, restore the backup you made *before* upgrading. ### Plugins and mods may need updates After a big update, check that each plugin or mod has a version for your new Minecraft version and update it from **Plugins → Manage Plugins** or **Mods → Manage Mods**. It is often wise to wait a few days after a major release for important plugins to catch up. ### Plugins and mods do not mix Switching from Paper to Fabric, NeoForge or Forge (or back) means your plugins stop working, and blocks or items from removed mods disappear from the world. Changing between a plugin server and a mod server is best done with a new world, or after testing on a copy. ### Vanilla and Paper store the Nether and End differently on older versions - **Minecraft 26.1 and newer:** Vanilla and Paper use the same layout, with all dimensions inside the main `world` folder (under `world/dimensions`). - **1.21.11 and older:** Vanilla keeps the Nether and End inside `world` (folders `DIM-1` and `DIM1`). Paper, Purpur and Spigot use separate `world_nether` and `world_the_end` folders. Moving from Vanilla to Paper is automatic: Paper converts the world on its first start. Moving from Paper back to Vanilla needs manual folder moves, so follow Paper's official migration guide on docs.papermc.io, or ask us in a ticket. ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Will changing the version delete my world?** Not if **Wipe Server Files** is off. Your world stays, but it is upgraded to the new version. Keep a backup in case something goes wrong. **Q: Can I go back to an older version?** Only by restoring a backup made before the upgrade, or by starting a new world on the older version. **Q: Where is the Software tab?** It is called **Versions** in the panel sidebar, under MANAGEMENT. Still stuck? [Open a ticket](https://billing.endercloud.in/tickets/create) and include the console output from the failed start.