How to Use a Converted .mrpack ZIP with the Vanilla Minecraft Launcher
The official Minecraft launcher has no modpack support, but you can still play a modpack by extracting the ZIP into a custom game directory.
Prerequisites
- The matching mod loader installer (Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, or Quilt) for the modpack's Minecraft version
- The converted ZIP
Steps
Install the mod loader
Run the Fabric/Forge installer with the matching Minecraft version. This adds a new launch profile to the vanilla launcher.
Create a dedicated game directory
In the vanilla launcher → Installations → edit the modded profile → set a custom Game Directory like
%appdata%/.minecraft-mypack.Extract the ZIP
Open the new directory and extract the converted ZIP contents into it.
Play
Select the modded profile in the launcher and click play.
Why use a custom directory?
Keeping each modpack in its own folder prevents mods from one pack contaminating another. You can switch between packs by just switching launcher profiles.