Just like the first release of Minecraft all those years ago, this version will develop and evolve over time with the help of your feedback. That’s why it has “Beta” in the title - because it’s not quite finished, and will become even more fun over time. Just like the other versions of Minecraft, all future updates will be free.

If you’re one of the more than 20 million players who have the PC edition of Minecraft (referred to by techy people as the Java version) you’ll be able to download Windows 10 Edition Beta from the Windows 10 store for free. Other players can get it for the paltry price of $10 during the beta period (the length of which is still being decided).

The long-awaited 1.0 Ender Update is here for “Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition” and “Minecraft: Pocket Edition” players, bringing both versions to near-complete feature parity with Java PC. That means the beta tag is coming off entirely on both versions! 

The 1.0 Ender Update will add a third dimension to Minecraft – the End, and its iconic ultimate boss battle, the Ender Dragon. But that’s not all – after defeating the Ender Dragon, you’ll be able to explore the outer islands of the End and its mysterious End Cities. In these End Cities you can encounter the new Shulker mob, pick up cool purple blocks for building (aptly called purpur), farm chorus plants, and even loot the highly coveted Elytra glider from an End ship.

Another super exciting feature that we’re sure you will be happy about is 256-block world height. Previously, players of Minecraft on Windows 10 and Pocket Edition were limited to a 128-block high ceiling. With the 1.0 Ender Update, we’re doubling the height to which you can build in your worlds! Perfect timing to let you build a super high tower and glide down across the world with your awesome new Elytra.

Since we’re feeling especially jovial about this update, we’re also releasing this year’s Festive Mash-Up Pack on these platforms for $3.99 USD or local equivalent. The pack contains 21 cheerful skins, including familiar reindeer and some cool kids in red suits, the Festive Texture Pack and Festive World.

Minecraft on Windows 10/mobile has come a long way. Now, the team is thrilled for even more players to experience community-favorite Minecraft features on their device of choice. Plus, this update is arriving just in time for friends and family to enjoy new content during the holidays. 

v1.0 content:

• The End, End cities, End ships, Ender dragon & all the other End goodies
• Ender Pearls
• Eye of Ender
• Ender Chest
• Dragon head
• Shulkers & shulker shells
• Chorus fruit and popped chorus fruit
• End stone & End stone brick
• End poem
• Purpur block, purpur pillar, purpur slab & purpur stairs
• End Rod
• Dragon Egg
• Exit Portal & End Gateway
• Ender charge
• Ability to craft lingering potions in survival
• Ability to craft tipped arrows in survival
• Ability to respawn Jean? the Ender Dragon
• Dragon's breath
• Elytra
• Ender crystals
• 256 world height!
• World seed library
• Igloos & polar bears
• Strongholds now fully implemented and have a chance of spawning in newly generated chunks
• Support for world templates

 

Here are some highlights:

• Craft, create, and explore online with up to seven friends playing Windows 10 Edition Beta, through local multiplayer or with your Xbox Live friends online.
• Play online and local multiplayer with other Pocket Edition players thanks to a free update, due to arrive soon after launch.
• Multiple control schemes! Switch between controller, touch, and keyboard controls with little to no effort!
• Record and share gameplay highlights with built-in GameDVR.
• Help shape the future of Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta with our built-in player feedback mechanisms!
• Chickens, zombies, pigs, boats, armed skeletons, potatoes, zombies, baby squids, enchantment tables, villagers, naked sheep, iron golems, potions, ghasts, pickaxes, carrots, and all the weird and wonderful goodness you’ve come to expect from Minecraft.