---
title: "Instance (Isolated Minecraft Environment) — Prism Launcher & Modded Minecraft Glossary"
description: "A self-contained folder holding its own Minecraft version, mod loader, `mods/`, `config/`, `saves/`, and Java settings. Learn how Instance (Isolated Minecraft Environment) works in Prism Launcher on Windows."
canonical: https://prismlauncher.ink/words/minecraft-instance
updated: 2026-10-17
---

# Instance (Isolated Minecraft Environment)

A self-contained folder holding its own Minecraft version, mod loader, `mods/`, `config/`, `saves/`, and Java settings.

## Facts (2026-10-17)

- **Term:** Instance (Isolated Minecraft Environment)
- **In Short:** A self-contained folder holding its own Minecraft version, mod loader, `mods/`, `config/`, `saves/`, and Java settings.
- **Applies To:** Prism Launcher on Windows 10 & 11

## Definition: Instance (Isolated Minecraft Environment)

A self-contained folder holding its own Minecraft version, mod loader, `mods/`, `config/`, `saves/`, and Java settings.

In Prism Launcher, creating a new instance means your 1.21.4 Fabric shaders setup never conflicts with your 1.20.1 Forge or 1.12.2 RLCraft modpack.

## How Prism Launcher handles this on Windows

Every instance in Prism Launcher exposes its version stack, mod list, resource packs, shader packs, and JVM settings in one clean Edit Instance window.

Grab the latest Windows installer or portable ZIP from [/download](https://prismlauncher.ink/download) to manage all your Minecraft versions in one place.

## FAQ

### What does Instance (Isolated Minecraft Environment) mean in Prism Launcher?

A self-contained folder holding its own Minecraft version, mod loader, `mods/`, `config/`, `saves/`, and Java settings. In Prism Launcher, creating a new instance means your 1.21.4 Fabric shaders setup never conflicts with your 1.20.1 Forge or 1.12.2 RLCraft modpack.

### Where can I configure this inside the launcher?

Right-click any instance on the Prism Launcher dashboard and select **Edit** (or open global **Settings** on the top toolbar).

## Related

- [Prism Launcher Technical Glossary](https://prismlauncher.ink/words)
- [Prism Launcher Instance Management](https://prismlauncher.ink/instances)
- [Prism Launcher Java & JVM Configuration](https://prismlauncher.ink/java)
- [Prism Launcher Mod Loaders](https://prismlauncher.ink/loaders)
- [.mrpack (Modrinth Modpack Archive)](https://prismlauncher.ink/words/mrpack-modrinth-format)

## Download

Free and open source: [Download Prism Launcher](https://prismlauncher.ink/download)

Markdown mirror: https://prismlauncher.ink/words/minecraft-instance.md