Epic Games Launcher for PC: How to Download and Install on Windows (2026 Guide)

Every single week, the Epic Games Store gives away at least one PC game completely free — and hundreds of thousands of players have built whole libraries without spending anything. The front door to those giveaways is the Epic Games Launcher, Epic’s free store app for Windows.

This guide shows you how to download and install the Epic Games Launcher on Windows 10 and Windows 11 from Epic’s official page, what your PC needs, and how to claim your first free game.

What Is the Epic Games Launcher?

The Epic Games Launcher is the official desktop app for the Epic Games Store, made by Epic Games — the company behind Fortnite and the Unreal Engine. It is where you browse the store, buy or claim games, and download, update, and launch everything in your Epic library.

Beyond games, the launcher is also the gateway to Unreal Engine for developers. For players, though, its fame is the weekly free game programme: claim a title during its giveaway week and it stays in your library forever, yours to install whenever you like.

Key Features of the Epic Games Launcher

Weekly free games: At least one full game is given away every week, permanently added to your account when you claim it in time.
Fortnite and Epic’s own titles: The launcher is the official home of Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys on PC.
Curated store: A smaller, hand-picked catalogue than some rivals, with regular sales, coupons during big events, and an honest refund policy.
Unreal Engine access: Developers can install Unreal Engine free from the same app, plus free marketplace assets every month.
Cloud saves: Supported games sync progress to your Epic account, so your saves follow you between PCs.
Achievements and social: An Epic friends list, cross-platform parties with console players, and achievements across supported games.
Automatic updates: Games in your library patch themselves, with per-game control if you prefer to update manually.

System Requirements

Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 — support for Windows 7 and 8 ended in 2024
Processor: Intel Core i3 at 2.4 GHz or equivalent AMD CPU or better
RAM: 4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended; individual games need more
Storage: Around 1 GB for the launcher itself, plus space for each game you install
Graphics: A DirectX 11-compatible GPU with 1 GB of video memory or more
Internet: Broadband connection required for downloads; big games can exceed 100 GB
Account: A free Epic account is required to claim, buy, and play games

How to Download the Epic Games Launcher (Official Method)

A launcher tied to an account holding paid games is a prime target for phishing and fake installers. Download it only from Epic’s official download page, where the installer is free and published by Epic Games itself.

Official Website: Download Epic Games Launcher from the official website

Step-by-Step Installation

Open your browser and go to the official Epic Games Launcher download page linked above.
Click the “Download Epic Games Launcher” button to save the EpicInstaller file.
Double-click the installer in your Downloads folder and approve the Windows permission prompt.
Choose the install location or keep the default, then click Install.
Wait while the launcher installs and updates itself to the latest version.
When it opens, sign in — or click “Sign Up” to create a free Epic account with your email address.
Enable two-factor authentication in your account settings on Epic’s website for extra protection before you start claiming games.

First-launch note: Games install to a folder inside the launcher’s directory by default. If your main drive is tight on space, set a different default install location in the launcher’s Settings before downloading a large title.

How to Claim Your First Free Game

The weekly giveaway is the best reason to install the launcher, and claiming takes a minute:

Open the launcher and click the Store tab on the left.
Scroll down to the “Free Games” section — this week’s free titles are shown with a countdown to the next rotation.
Click a free game to open its page, then click the blue “Get” button.
Review the order summary (the price should read 0.00) and click “Place Order” to add it to your account permanently.
The game now appears in your Library; click its tile whenever you want to install and play it.
Come back every Thursday, when the new free games rotate in, and repeat — the library grows quickly.

Epic Games Launcher Free vs Paid: What Is the Difference?

The launcher and the Epic account are completely free, and there is no subscription tier. The store mixes paid games with the famous weekly giveaways: claim a game during its free week and it is yours permanently at no cost. Some popular titles, such as Fortnite and Rocket League, are free to play year-round. Epic also gives developers Unreal Engine free to use, charging a royalty only on successful commercial games after they pass a high revenue threshold — for players, everything in this guide costs nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to download the Epic Games Launcher from the official website?
Yes. The official download page is run by Epic Games, and the installer is genuine and self-updating. Avoid any other source — fake launchers are a known way to steal gaming accounts.

Are the weekly free games really free forever?
Yes. A game claimed during its giveaway week is added to your library permanently at no charge. You can install, uninstall, and reinstall it years later, exactly like a purchased game.

Do I need the Epic Games Launcher to play Fortnite on PC?
Yes. Fortnite on PC is distributed through the Epic Games Launcher, so you need a free Epic account and the launcher installed. The same applies to Rocket League and Fall Guys.

Can I play Epic games offline?
Many single-player games work in the launcher’s Offline Mode once they have been downloaded and launched once while online. Games that are inherently online, like Fortnite, always need a connection.

Conclusion

The Epic Games Launcher earns its place on any gaming PC for one simple reason: free games, every week, forever. Install it from Epic’s official page, claim this week’s title, and check back each Thursday — your library will thank you.

Download Epic Games Launcher from the Official Website

Epic Games Launcher for PC: How to Download and Install on Windows (2026 Guide)