Minecraft Launcher crashes when opening 1.18

Please attach the crash report or log. The crash report is a text file located in the [.minecraft|https://minecrafthopper.net/help/finding-minecraft-data-folder/]/crash-reports folder named crash-date-client.txt. If not available attach the complete launcher_log.txt file.

I get the same issue. Mac OSX 10.11.6.

Same exact issue on Win 8.1 but mine crashes at 100% world load in 1.18. I can still play 1.17.1 flawlessly.

I don't think these "bug" sites know totally what they are doing nor the email Minecraft Help sites.

They all blame Java or The launcher or the Microsoft Store or even The Xbox app (of which I never even downloaded) and once I reply I have looked at all that and none of their silly repetitive trouble shooting helps they all of a sudden become silent and quit replying.

I think the issue is due to Java 17.

I tried making an install using MultiMC and the same issue happened, but MultiMC doesn't seem to be able to recognise my manual install of jdk 17.0.1 :/

For more details:

1.18 pre-release 1 (Java 16) works fine and I am able to get to title screen.

but 1.18 pre-release 2 (Java 17) crashes immediately and can't load.

Its my understanding that the Java you have on your device/computer is irrelevant because the installer has the Java required to run as part of the install package. 

Please check if this can still be reproduced in 1.18.2 or later.