If you’re looking for a smooth way to download and manage PC games, the epic games launcher is Epic’s official desktop app for the Epic Games Store, Fortnite, Unreal Engine integration, and other Epic services. This guide walks you through everything Bing users search for: how to download and install the launcher, system requirements, offline mode, troubleshooting (cache, crashes, updates), refunds, best practices, and useful tips to keep your games running cleanly.
What the Epic Games Launcher is (short primer)
The Epic Games Launcher is the client that connects your computer to the Epic Games Store and Epic’s services. It handles game purchases, downloads, updates, library management, and account links (Epic account, console platform linking, cloud saves when supported). Think of it as the storefront + downloader + launcher in one app.
Where to download and how to install
Official download: Go to the Epic Games Store website and click Download — that will provide the current installer for Windows or macOS. (Always use Epic’s official page—avoid third-party sites to prevent unwanted software.) Epic Games Store+1
Install steps (quick):
- Download the installer from the Epic Games Store page. Epic Games
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Sign in with your Epic Games account (create one if you don’t have it).
- Let the launcher update itself on first run — it auto-updates the client. Epic Games Store
Tip: If the installer stalls, redownload the installer and run as Administrator on Windows or ensure macOS security settings allow the app.
System requirements — what your PC/Mac needs
Minimum launcher requirements are intentionally modest, but games you run through it may need much more. As of the latest Epic documentation, the launcher supports Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11, and recent macOS versions; minimal CPU and RAM requirements are low but Epic recommends at least 4 GB RAM and ~3 GB of disk for the launcher itself — games need separate, often higher specs. Always check the Epic help page for the most current launcher requirements and each game’s page for game-specific specs. Epic Games+1
Key features you’ll use daily
- Library management: view and launch installed games, install/uninstall, and track updates.
- Automatic updates: launcher updates itself on launch; games can auto-update depending on your settings.
- Offline Mode: enable browsing and launching previously installed games without internet (needs prior sign-in and setup).
- Store and free games: Epic is known for weekly free game giveaways — keep an eye on the Store tab. Epic Games Store
- Unreal Engine & developer integrations: access to Epic tools if you develop or mod games.
Offline Mode: how it works and how to enable it
If you want to play an installed title without an active internet connection, Epic supports an Offline Mode but it requires that you have signed in and enabled the preference before going offline:
- Open the Epic Games Launcher.
- Click your profile icon → Settings.
- Under Preferences, check Enable Offline Mode Browsing.
- When offline, open the launcher and choose “Go Offline” if prompted. Epic Games
Note: Not every game supports offline play (some require server access or online authentication). Always test while you still have internet access.
Troubleshooting: launcher won’t open / crashes / freezing
If your Epic Games Launcher is misbehaving, try this prioritized checklist:
- Check Epic’s server status — if Epic systems are down, nothing you do locally will help. (Epic’s status page will note outages.)
- Exit the launcher completely (right-click system tray → Exit) and relaunch as Administrator.
- Clear the launcher cache (Windows: delete
%localappdata%\EpicGamesLauncher\Saved\webcache— Mac: delete the webcache folder in~/Library/Caches/com.epicgames.EpicGamesLauncher). This resolves many UI and loading problems. - Update graphics drivers and Windows/macOS to the latest stable versions.
- Disable conflicting background apps (antivirus/firewall, VPNs, overlay apps) temporarily to test.
- Reinstall the launcher if all else fails — note this removes installed games and you’ll need to re-download them or point the launcher to existing game files. Follow Epic’s reinstall steps on support pages.
If problems persist, contact Epic Support with launcher logs and a description of steps you’ve tried.
How to clear the Epic Games Launcher cache (step-by-step)
Windows
- Exit the launcher (system tray → Exit).
- Press
Win + R, type%localappdata%, Enter. - Open
EpicGamesLauncher→Saved. - Delete folders named
webcache,webcache_4147, etc. - Restart PC and relaunch the launcher. Epic Games+1
macOS
- Quit the launcher.
- In Finder: Go → Go to Folder →
~/Library/Caches/com.epicgames.EpicGamesLauncher. - Delete the webcache folder, empty Trash, relaunch. Epic Games
Clearing cache solves many display and signing issues without a full reinstall.
Managing installs and changing installation directory
You can choose installation directories when installing a game. To move the launcher itself or reinstall to a new location, uninstall and reinstall, then choose the folder during installation. Epic provides step-by-step guidance for changing install directories and reinstalling the launcher. Note: uninstalling the launcher can remove game files unless you move them or point the launcher to the existing game folder after reinstall. Epic Games+1
Refunds and purchase policies (what US users care about)
Epic’s refund policy allows refunds for PC and Mac purchases within 14 days of purchase (or within 14 days of release for pre-purchases) if the product is marked refundable and you’ve played less than 2 hours. Refund requests are made through your account transaction page; refunds usually return to your original payment method within ~10 business days, although options may vary by region. If the game is marked “self-refundable,” approval is typically faster. Epic Games+1
Tip: Double-check the product’s refund status on its store page before purchase, and keep your playtime under two hours if you plan to test and possibly refund.
Recent and relevant updates (Bing search users often look for this)
- Preloading support: Epic recently added preloading functionality allowing users to download pre-purchased games before release (a major convenience for large modern titles). This is a notable improvement to the store/launcher experience. Keep an eye on Epic’s update notes and the Store news. PC Gamer
- FTC / legal matters (context for Fortnite users): There have been notable refund/settlement actions related to Fortnite purchases and unauthorized charges. If you were affected, check official FTC or Epic announcements for eligibility and claim windows. (This matters for some Epic account holders.) The Verge+1
Security & privacy basics
- Use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Epic account to protect purchases and in-game content.
- Avoid sharing login details and be cautious of phishing links. Epic will not ask for your password via unsolicited email.
- Payments are processed by Epic using standard payment processors — check your transaction history in account settings if anything looks off. Epic Games Store
Performance & bandwidth tips
- Use an SSD for installed games when possible — load times and in-game streaming improve dramatically.
- If your connection is limited, pause other downloads and set Epic to download only on demand (disable auto-updates for large games).
- For very large games, use wired Ethernet or a fast 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection to reduce hiccups during download. (Launcher auto-update behavior and download settings are controlled within the launcher settings.) Epic Games Store
Frequently Asked Questions (short answers)
Q: Is Epic Games Launcher free?
A: Yes — the launcher and store are free. You pay for games you buy; Epic regularly offers free titles to claim. Epic Games Store
Q: Does Epic Games Launcher run on Linux?
A: There is no official native Linux desktop client; some users try compatibility layers or third-party workarounds, but official support is for Windows and macOS. Check Epic’s developer docs for related services. Epic Games Developers
Q: Will I lose my games if I uninstall the Launcher?
A: Uninstalling the launcher can remove installed games. Back up or move game files first if you don’t want to re-download. Follow Epic’s reinstall guidance. Epic Games
Q: How long do refunds take?
A: Refunds typically show within ~10 business days to the original payment method; regional methods or Epic balance options may vary. Epic Games
SEO & Bing indexing tips (how to get this post found in USA searches)
- Keyword placement: Use the exact keyword epic games launcher in the title, first paragraph, H1/H2 headings, and naturally throughout the copy — but avoid keyword stuffing. (Done in this article.)
- Answer user intent: People searching on Bing usually want downloads, install steps, system requirements, fixes, or refund info — cover these clearly with short, scannable sections. (This guide does that.)
- Use structured data: If you run this as a blog, include FAQ schema for your Q&A and article schema to help Bing understand and surface the content.
- Page speed & mobile: Ensure your blog loads fast on mobile (Bing cares about performance). Compress images, use a CDN, and avoid heavy scripts.
- Internal linking: Link to Epic’s official support pages for authoritative sources and your related posts (e.g., “how to fix game downloads”). Cite Epic where appropriate. Epic Games Store+1
Pro tips & best practices
- Keep the launcher updated — Epic rolls out fixes and features via automatic updates. Epic Games Store
- Use the webcache clearing trick before reinstalling — it often saves time compared to a full reinstall. Epic Games
- Claim free weekly games even if you don’t plan to play them immediately — they remain in your library. Epic Games Store
- If you have limited SSD space, install large games to a secondary HDD but keep the launcher on the fastest drive. Epic Games
Conclusion
The epic games launcher is the entry point to Epic’s store, games, and developer tools. For most users, installing, keeping the launcher updated, clearing cache when problems arise, and understanding refund windows solves the majority of issues. Bookmark Epic’s official support and status pages for the latest fixes, and use this guide as your go-to checklist for downloads, installs, and troubleshooting. Epic Games Store+1
