How Minecraft for Windows is Cracked/Patched
WIP
This page is currently Work-In-Progress. The information here might be outdated, incorrect and cannot be understanded.
Note
This page is focused on the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft. However, it can be used for other apps that use the same licensing system as Minecraft for Windows 10/11.
We usually unlock Minecraft using Third-Party Softwares (listed here). These apps use different kinds of methods depending on how they are made. These methods are mentioned in the glossary on the same page. Let's now define all these methods and what they mean.
Methods
What is a DLL?
A DLL (Dynamic Link Library) is like a toolkit shared by multiple workers (programs). Instead of each worker carrying their own tools, they all borrow what they need from a common toolbox (the DLL). Inside, it’s organized like a blueprint, with rooms (functions) and shelves (data) that the workers can quickly access. It’s a way to avoid clutter and share resources, so they can all work more efficiently without duplicating what’s already there. The DLL mentioned here is explained later.
As in the glossary, you can see that:
- DLL Replacing method replaces your own DLLs with cracked DLLs. This is completely permanent and might not be the correct solution if you want to go with "safer"
- DRC method makes your game use cracked DLLs available in another directory in your computer using the DLL search order. [Temporary, Works only with Minecraft]
- DLL Auto Patch method creates patched DLLs from your own DLLs and replaces the original ones with patched ones. This is much more efficient than DLL Replacing with Online Sources since sometimes online source might not have the specific one needed. We'll look into this later.
- DLL Hooking method uses function hooking and other debugging in-memory to modify the license checking functions within the game and/or other DLLs loaded within the game in memory. [Temporary, Works only with Minecraft]
- DMM method patches the DLLs within the game memory. [Temporary, Works only with Minecraft]
As you have read, DRC, DMM, and DLL Hooking runs and changes in-memory/RAM. This means the changes are done in the game's process leading it to be temporary (requiring for activating license checking work for Minecraft). But these methods are different from In-Memory Code Manipulation and pre-cracked appx. The way these 2 works is patching the license-checking code with in the game. (in meaning, it removes the code where Minecraft checks for license). I-MCM patches the license checking code within the game's memory, making it temporary. The main difference between I-MCM and DMM is that I-MCM can run while Minecraft is open but can't with DMM.
Also, you can patch the game's code completely and pack it in a .appx and you can install it and then you don't need to do anything else.
There is another method using ClipSVC, we will define that later.
How Minecraft works
Minecraft for Windows uses C:\Windows\System32\Windows.ApplicationModel.Store.dll for its licensing system. It makes use of this DLL to perform in-app purchases and licensing-related tasks like identifying if the user bought the game or has acquired trial.
We crack C:\Windows\System32\Windows.ApplicationModel.Store.dll to modify the returned value of the trial function and Minecraft starts working in its full version. The crack can be done manually or by specific Third Party Software.
How Minecraft for Windows is Cracked/Patched
To understand deeply about the DLL that gets replaced with the original DLL, you will have to know about the licensing process. The licensing process is different depending on the Minecraft version you have
Newer Versions
Newer Versions of Minecraft use the boolean property Windows.Services.Store.StoreAppLicense.isTrial from Windows.ApplicationModel.Store.dll to check if the user is licensed to use all features of Minecraft or just trial only features. The returned value of this function depends on whether you bought Minecraft or not. Its value is affected if you have multiple accounts on a PC or you have attached 10 PCs per account. In case of any issue with licensing limits, it returns true, this means Minecraft will run in trial mode
Initial Versions
Initial Versions of Minecraft use the boolean property Windows.ApplicationModel.Store.LicenseInformation.isTrial from Windows.ApplicationModel.Store.dll to check if the user is licensed to use all features of Minecraft or just trial only features. Like Windows.Services.Store.StoreAppLicense.isTrial, its value is also affected by factors like accounts and PCs and if the user exceeds any limit then Minecraft runs in trial mode.
Tip
For more information about how Minecraft works, visit https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.services.store and https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.applicationmodel.store
Cracking/Patching
Required Tools & Knowledge
- You might need to know about Assembly before reading this, or your brain might explode.
- Disassembler - Interactive Dissassebler.
We crack Minecraft by modifying the returned value of the IsTrial boolean property. This is done by editing the related function at assembly level to make it replace the isTrial value with false(0) whenever Minecraft tries to access the property.
Watch the video below to do it:
Extra Methods
ClipSVC
Tinedpakgamer (founder of M Centers) discovered the first method to crack Minecraft using ClipSVC. But it turned out to be dangerous for your computer. It was used in MCenters 1.0 (aka Red MCenters), BlueSky Launcher, etc. But what is ClipSVC?
ClipSVC, or the Client License Service is a Windows service related to the Microsoft Store. It takes care of managing and protecting digital content from the Microsoft Store, like apps and games, to make sure they follow licensing rules and digital rights management (DRM). ClipSVC is used in the process of checking the license, so disabling it will break every single licensing system and no process related to it can be run. In meaning, you could force stop ClipSVC and get apps for free. But since it breaks Minecraft completely too, you will need to do other steps.
Runtime Broker makes sure Minecraft follows its licensing rules and security settings. Since this is there, you will have to End Task it at the correct time, which is when Minecraft buffers loading at 46%. And as I have said, this breaks Minecraft and MS Store, and it even could lead to system errors and crashes
And that's all! You have learned how it works, and later on, I might plan to add new things to this page!