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You can install the Epic Games Launcher on a supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC by downloading the installer from Epic’s website. If the normal installer fails, the Microsoft Store version and the Windows Installer command-line method are reliable alternatives.
Check whether your PC can run Epic Games Launcher
Epic officially supports the Launcher on:
- Windows 10 64-bit
- Windows 11
Windows 7, Windows 8, and 32-bit Windows 10 are no longer officially supported. Windows 10 still meets Epic’s Launcher requirement, but Microsoft ended standard Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. A Windows 10 PC can continue to run the operating system, but it no longer receives Microsoft’s normal security, feature, and technical support.
| Component | Epic’s minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3 or AMD FX |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics | DirectX 9.0c-compatible GPU, such as NVIDIA GeForce 7800, AMD Radeon HD 4600, or Intel HD 4000 |
| Storage | 3 GB for the Launcher |
These requirements cover the Launcher itself. Individual games generally need more storage and substantially more powerful hardware.
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- Open Epic’s official installer page: store.epicgames.com/install/install.php.
- Select Download in the upper-right corner.
- Wait for the Windows installer to download. If the download does not start automatically, select the Windows download button on the page.
- Open the installer from your browser’s download list or from File Explorer > Downloads.
Use Epic’s website rather than a third-party download site. Repackaged installers can contain unwanted software or an outdated Launcher.
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Install Epic Games Launcher on Windows 11 or Windows 10
- Open the downloaded Epic Games Launcher installer.
- If User Account Control asks whether you want to allow the app to make changes, select Yes only after confirming that the installer came from Epic’s official website.
- Follow the instructions shown by the setup wizard.
- Choose the installation folder if the installer presents that option.
- Finish the installation and open Epic Games Launcher.
- Sign in with your Epic Games account, or create an account when prompted.
The standard installer normally selects the Launcher’s installation location automatically. If you need to force a folder-selection screen, use the command-line method below.
Install Epic Games Launcher from Microsoft Store
Epic also provides a Microsoft Store version. The listing is named Epic Games Store, although the installed desktop application provides the Epic Games Launcher.
- Open Start.
- Search for Microsoft Store and open it.
- Search for Epic Games Store.
- Select Install.
This is a useful fallback if the downloaded installer fails, particularly when you see “The Epic Games Launcher Setup Wizard ended prematurely.” Epic recommends trying the Microsoft Store installation before using the Command Prompt method for that error.
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Changing the Launcher’s folder does not change the location used for installed games. Epic lets you choose game locations separately from Library.
To make the Windows installer offer a custom Launcher directory:
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- Download the latest installer, but do not move it from the Downloads folder.
- Open File Explorer and locate the installer.
- Right-click the file and select Copy as path. On Windows 10, hold Shift while right-clicking if the option is not shown.
- Search Windows for
cmd. - Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Paste the copied path, type a space followed by
/installdir, and press Enter.
"C:UsersusernameDownloadsEpicInstaller.exe" /installdirThe installer should open with an option to select a custom installation directory.
Choose where Epic games are installed
Game locations are selected when you install each title:
- Open Epic Games Launcher.
- Go to Library.
- Select the game you want to install.
- Choose the installation directory.
- Select Install.
Epic commonly uses C:Program FilesEpic Games as the default game directory. You can select another drive during the individual game installation if the drive has enough free space.
Fix an Epic Games Launcher installation that fails
Run the installer with msiexec
If double-clicking the installer does not work, run the downloaded MSI through Windows Installer:
- Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
- Open the folder containing the installer, normally Downloads.
- Do not move or rename the installer.
- Hold Shift, right-click the installer, and select Copy as path.
- Search for
CMD. - Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Type
msiexec /i, add a space, paste the installer path, and press Enter.
msiexec /i "C:UsersYourNameDownloadsEpicInstaller.msi"The command must include the complete path to the downloaded .msi file. Running only msiexec /i will not install anything.
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“The Setup Wizard ended prematurely”
Try these fixes in order:
- Install Epic Games Store from Microsoft Store.
- Run the MSI with the elevated
msiexeccommand shown above. - Confirm that your account has Read and Write permission for the installation folder.
- Install pending Windows updates and update your graphics driver.
- Temporarily close background programs that may interfere with setup.
- Check whether antivirus software is blocking or modifying the installer.
If you temporarily disable antivirus protection for testing, download the installer from Epic first, install it, and immediately turn protection back on afterward.
Check folder permissions
- Open the intended installation folder.
- Right-click it and select Properties.
- Open the Security tab.
- Select your Windows username under Group or user names.
- Confirm that Allow is enabled for both Read and Write.
Error 2502
For Error 2502, Epic recommends creating a shortcut to the downloaded installer, opening the shortcut’s Properties, and copying the complete command from the Target field. Run that target path from an administrator Command Prompt. On Windows 11, the shortcut command may be under Show more options after you right-click the installer.
“The older version of Epic Games Launcher cannot be removed”
This means Windows could not remove a previous Launcher installation. Use Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter, then retry the Epic installation.
Windows reports that the operating system is unsupported
If you are running supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 but the Launcher incorrectly reports that the minimum operating-system requirement is not met:
- Exit Epic Games Launcher completely, including its system-tray icon.
- Locate
EpicGamesLauncher.exe. An example path isEpic GamesLauncherEngineBinariesWin64EpicGamesLauncher.exe. - Right-click the executable and select Properties.
- Open the Compatibility tab.
- Enable Run this program in compatibility mode for.
- Select the latest available Windows version.
- Select Apply, then OK.
- Open the Launcher again.
Windows is in S mode
Windows 10 and Windows 11 in S mode allow applications only from Microsoft Store. The regular Epic installer cannot be installed through the normal outside-Store route.
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Switch out of S mode in Windows 11
- Open Settings.
- Go to System > Activation.
- Under Switch to Windows 11 Pro, select Go to the Store.
- On the Microsoft Store page, select Get.
Switch out of S mode in Windows 10
- Open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security > Activation.
- Under Switch to Windows 10 Home or Switch to Windows 10 Pro, select Go to the Store.
- Select Get on the Microsoft Store page.
Switching out of S mode is free, but permanent. It cannot be reversed.
Install Epic Online Services after setup
Some Launcher installations display an Install Epic Online Services prompt. This component supports Launcher updates and features such as cross-platform and social functionality.
- Open Epic Games Launcher and sign in.
- When the prompt appears, select OK.
- Approve the User Account Control prompt if Windows displays one.
- Wait for the installation to finish.
You can also open Settings in the Launcher, find Epic Online Services Install Available, and select Install Now.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Update Epic Games Launcher
- Open Epic Games Launcher.
- Select your profile icon in the upper-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Select RESTART AND UPDATE if that button is available.
Windows may display another User Account Control prompt during the update.
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Reinstall Epic Games Launcher
Reinstalling can repair a damaged installation, but uninstalling the Launcher removes all games installed on that computer. Games connected to your Epic account can be downloaded again afterward. Cloud-save progress is retained only for games that support cloud saves.
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- Exit the Launcher by right-clicking its system-tray icon and selecting Exit.
- Open Start and search for Add or Remove Programs.
- Select Epic Games Launcher.
- Select Uninstall.
- Download the latest installer from Epic’s official website.
- Run it and follow the installation instructions.
FAQ
Is Epic Games Launcher free to download?
Yes. The Launcher is free to download and install from Epic’s official website or the Microsoft Store. Individual games can be free or paid.
Can I install Epic Games Launcher on Windows 10?
Yes, provided Windows 10 is 64-bit. Epic no longer officially supports 32-bit Windows 10, Windows 7, or Windows 8.
Where does Epic Games Launcher install by default?
The Launcher normally chooses its installation directory automatically. Epic identifies C:Program FilesEpic Games as the default game directory, but the Launcher’s own location and game-installation location are separate.
Can I install Epic Games Launcher on another drive?
Yes. Use the /installdir command-line option to choose a custom Launcher directory. When installing a game, select its destination separately from the Library installation screen.
Why does the Epic installer say that setup ended prematurely?
The installer may be blocked by permissions, antivirus software, an outdated Windows installation, a background application, or a damaged previous installation. Try the Microsoft Store version first, then run the MSI with an elevated msiexec /i command.
Can Epic Games Launcher run in Windows S mode?
Use the Epic Games Store listing in Microsoft Store, or switch out of S mode. Switching out of S mode is free but permanent.
The Bottom Line
For most PCs, download the installer from Epic’s official site, open it, and follow the setup wizard. If it fails, install Epic Games Store through Microsoft Store or run the downloaded MSI from an administrator Command Prompt with msiexec /i. Remember that the Launcher’s installation folder does not control where games are stored.
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