How to Update or Remove a Global Datapack Without Breaking Worlds

Updating an Existing Pack

To update a datapack, close Minecraft completely first. Then go into global_data_packs and replace the old folder or zip with the new version. Keep the same top-level name if possible so you can track which pack is which. If you switch from a folder to a zip (or vice versa), delete the old form entirely — leaving both can cause the game to load the pack twice or pick the wrong one. After replacing, relaunch and run /datapack list to confirm only one entry with the modpack prefix exists for that pack.

Removing a Pack Safely

Delete the pack's folder or zip from global_data_packs, then restart the game. The pack will no longer load in any world. Be aware that removing a datapack does not undo changes it already made to a world. If the pack added blocks, items, or modified terrain, those changes may persist or leave dangling references. Back up any world you care about before removing a pack that has been active.

Avoiding Conflicts

If two global packs define the same namespace or the same function path, one will override the other unpredictably. Keep each pack in its own namespace and avoid duplicating vanilla overrides unless intentional. When in doubt, test in a throwaway world before applying changes to a world you play on.