Step 1: Download the Archive Navigate to a trusted repository or official mod page hosting Derivative-Shaders-All-Versions.zip. Warning: Avoid scam sites requiring "verification" surveys.
Step 2: Do NOT Unzip
Contrary to what novice users expect, you should keep the file compressed. Shader packs are loaded as .zip files. Place the Derivative-Shaders-All-Versions.zip directly into your shaderpacks folder.
Step 3: Select Your Version
Once inside Minecraft, go to Options > Video Settings > Shaders. You will see "Derivative-Shaders-All-Versions.zip" listed. Click it. A sub-menu will appear asking which internal version you wish to activate (e.g., Derivative_v7.2, Derivative_v5.0). Select the one matching your game build. Derivative-Shaders-All-Versions.zip
Step 4: Configure Quality
Press Alt + P (or navigate to Shader Settings) to tweak:
Because the "All Versions" pack contains heavy hitters, you need to balance beauty with performance. Here is a quick cheat sheet: Step 1: Download the Archive Navigate to a
| Derivative Version | Recommended GPU | Render Distance | Tweak This Setting | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Legacy 2.1 | Intel HD 620 | 12 chunks | Turn off "Cloud Shadows" | | Stable 4.5 | GTX 1050 Ti | 16 chunks | Set "Shadow Quality" to 0.75x | | Pro 6.8 | RTX 3060 | 24 chunks | Enable "Volumetric Rays" (Low) | | Ultra 8.0+ | RTX 3080 / RX 6900 | 32 chunks | "Path Tracing" @ Medium resolution |
Pro Tip: If you experience "ghosting" (trailing artifacts behind moving mobs), disable TAA (Temporal Anti-Aliasing) within the Derivative settings. This is a known quirk in versions 7.0 to 7.3. Step 3: Select Your Version Once inside Minecraft,
Since “Derivative” implies modifications of existing open-source shaders (usually under LGPL or MIT licenses), redistributing as Derivative-Shaders-All-Versions.zip is legal only if the original authors are credited and the license terms preserved. If you’re sharing this file, always include a LICENSE.txt and CREDITS.md inside the archive.
Avoid downloading from repost sites that strip out attribution. Support original developers when possible.
Light shafts (god rays) penetrate through leaves and cloud layers realistically. Unlike vanilla lighting, shadows change intensity based on time of day and weather.
Because it targets “all versions,” the pack typically includes three render profiles: