Epic Games Launcher is home to some of the most popular games like Fortnite, GTA, Rocket League, and dozens of indie titles. But sometimes, gamers find themselves needing to uninstall it—whether it’s to free up space, fix launcher errors, or switch to another platform.
If you’re wondering how to safely remove Epic Games Launcher from your Windows PC without losing your games or important files, this guide has you covered. We’ll walk through every method step by step and answer common gamer concerns.
1. Why You Might Want to Delete Epic Games Launcher
Before diving into the uninstall process, let’s understand why gamers often want to remove it:
- Storage space issues – Games downloaded via Epic can take up hundreds of gigabytes, and the launcher itself consumes additional space.
- Launcher errors – Sometimes Epic Games Launcher can crash, freeze, or fail to update. A fresh reinstall often fixes these issues.
- Switching platforms – You might want to move to Steam, Xbox, or another launcher.
- Temporary cleanup – Gamers often uninstall launchers to free system resources and improve performance.
💡 Pro Tip: Uninstalling the launcher does not remove your purchased games from your Epic account. You can reinstall them later without losing progress.
2. Backup Your Game Files Before Uninstalling
This step is crucial for gamers. If you have limited internet or don’t want to redownload massive games:
- Navigate to your Epic Games folder (usually
C:\Program Files\Epic Games). - Copy the game folders to another drive or folder.
- Later, you can move these files back when you reinstall the launcher, and Epic will recognize the existing files, saving you download time.
Tip: Don’t forget to note your Epic account credentials—reinstalling requires login.
3. Method 1: Uninstall via Windows Settings
This is the easiest way to remove the launcher:
- Press Windows + I → Open Settings.
- Navigate to Apps → Apps & Features.
- Scroll to Epic Games Launcher, click it, then select Uninstall.
- Follow the prompts, and the launcher will be removed.
✅ What this does: Removes the main program files but may leave behind caches or temporary files.
4. Method 2: Uninstall via Control Panel
For gamers who prefer the classic Windows approach:
- Press Windows + R, type
control, and hit Enter. - Go to Programs → Programs and Features.
- Locate Epic Games Launcher, right-click, and select Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
💡 Why this is useful: On older PCs or versions of Windows, this method is sometimes more reliable than Settings.
5. Remove Leftover Files (Optional but Recommended)
Even after uninstalling, leftover files can take up storage or interfere with a fresh installation:
- Default game installation folder:
C:\Program Files\Epic GamesDelete any remaining files or folders here if you don’t plan to keep the games. - Launcher cache:
%localappdata%\EpicGamesLauncherRemoving this folder clears temporary files, logs, and leftover caches.
Why gamers care: Clearing these files can prevent errors if you reinstall later and free up several GBs of disk space.
Also Read: Which Fallout Game Should I Play First?
6. Advanced Step: Clean the Registry (Optional)
For tech-savvy gamers, cleaning leftover registry entries can remove traces completely:
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. - Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Epic Games HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Epic Games - Delete Epic Games entries carefully.
⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system problems. Only do this if you’re confident.
7. Verify Complete Removal
After uninstalling and cleaning residual files:
- Check Apps & Features to ensure Epic Games Launcher is gone.
- Restart your PC to complete the removal.
This ensures no background services or processes are running that could slow down your system.
8. Common Gamers’ Questions
Q1: Will uninstalling Epic Games Launcher delete my Fortnite or GTA progress?
- No. Progress is saved to your Epic account. Reinstalling the launcher and logging in restores your games and progress.
Q2: Can I reinstall Epic Games Launcher later?
- Yes! Simply download the installer from Epic Games’ official website and reinstall.
Q3: How do I save download bandwidth when reinstalling?
- Copy your previously backed-up game folders into the new installation path. The launcher will verify files instead of redownloading.
Q4: Is it safe to delete the cache?
- Yes. The launcher may recreate necessary files on the next run. Clearing cache is often recommended to fix errors or free space.
9. Tips for Gamers Post-Uninstallation
- If your goal is performance optimization, consider moving games to a larger SSD for faster loading next time.
- Delete old or rarely played games to save disk space before reinstalling.
- Use Windows Disk Cleanup or tools like CCleaner to remove leftover temporary files.
Conclusion
Deleting Epic Games Launcher isn’t just about removing a program—it’s about freeing storage, fixing errors, and optimizing your gaming setup. By following this step-by-step guide, gamers can:
- Safely uninstall the launcher
- Keep their games backed up
- Clear leftover files and caches
- Reinstall without losing progress
Whether you’re troubleshooting or just cleaning up your PC, these steps ensure a smooth and safe removal.