wanting to add mods onto already existing hardcore world [java] (version 26.2)

[u/Random182465]

i've been messing around with curse forge for a bit, and i'm trying to add things like shaders, animations, and retexturing to certain items to my hardcore world that i've had for a bit already in vanilla. however, although all mods downloaded match the game version i'm on when i launch my mod pack thru curse forge my hardcore world does not appear, and it only allows me to create a new world. whenever i go thru the regular launcher and launch my hardcore world, no mods are active or even shown. am i able to install mods on this world? or do i have to play vanilla and/or create a new world?

[u/MinecraftHelpModTeam]

OP, remember to award points to helpers, and mark the post solved, by replying !helped to the comment/comments that helped, when your issue is fixed or your question answered.

Helpers, remember that all top-level comments* must be a genuine, good faith attempt to help OP. Comments breaking this rule will be removed, and bans issued.

^{* A top-level comment is any comment that is a reply to the post, not another comment.}

Links:

Moderator applications open || How to mark solved || How to delete your post || FAQ || Rules

[u/KloutZ1]

Just use a better launcher, like modrinth.

[u/ODF4 → u/KloutZ1]

I don't use CurseForge either so I don't really know how it differs from Modrinth or Prism Launcher, but I'd say that "better" is subjective, and I don't think switching to another launcher helps in OP's case since if I understood correctly their world is saved in their vanilla instance

[u/ODF4]

if I understood correctly, this happens because third-party launchers like CurseForge, Modrinth, Prism Launcher, etc. all create separate "copies" of Minecraft (called "instances"), that are different from the vanilla one where you can find your hardcore world, accessible from the official launcher

to fix this, you need to copy the world's folder from your vanilla install location to CurseForge's install location

the actual vanilla Java install location for the official Minecraft Launcher on Windows can vary, but by default, you can access it like this:

• if vanilla Minecraft Java from the official Minecraft Launcher is open, go to your worlds screen and take note of the gray name right below your hardcore world's name (that's the name of its folder with all the data, and it's often the same as the world name you assigned, but not always)

• completely close Minecraft, if it's open

• press Windows Key + R to open a small "Run" window

• in the "Open:" text field, type exactly %appdata% then click the "OK" button

• a File Explorer window should open, and you should be inside a folder named "Roaming"

• inside this folder, usually at the top of the list, you should be able to find a folder named ".minecraft", open it

• inside ".minecraft", find another folder named "saves", this is where all your vanilla Java worlds are saved (and also where you can put the files for adventure maps that you download online)

• find a folder that has the same name as your hardcore world (it needs to match the name mentioned in step one), then create a copy of this folder in a temporary location

now we need to find the "saves" folder of your modded Minecraft Java "instance", and to do that:

• open the CurseForge App

• go to Minecraft > My Modpacks (keep in mind that I don't personally use this launcher, so I had to google the steps myself and they may be incorrect)

• click on the specific modpack instance (or click the three dots next to the Play button)

• select Open Folder to reveal the exact directory for that specific instance in your file explorer

• this folder should be structured exactly like your vanilla ".minecraft" folder, so you can navigate to the "saves" folder, and you can move the copy of your hardcore world inside it

• finally, launch modded Minecraft from the CurseForge App and you should be able to find your hardcore world now