How to Add Fortnite to Steam Without Moving the Game

You cannot move Fortnite into Steam itself, but you can launch it from Steam using a shortcut

Fortnite runs on the Epic Games Launcher, not Steam. Epic Games owns both Fortnite and the launcher, and they do not allow the game to be installed or run through Steam's system. What you can do instead is create a non-Steam shortcut — a link inside Steam that launches Fortnite from the Epic Games Launcher when you click it. This keeps your game library in one place without moving files or changing how the game actually runs.

The shortcut method works on Windows and on Steam Deck. It does not change where Fortnite stores its files or how updates work. The game still updates through Epic Games Launcher, and you still log in with your Epic Games account. The only difference is that you start it from Steam instead of opening Epic Games Launcher separately.

Key Takeaways

Fortnite cannot be installed through Steam because Epic Games does not allow it; you can only create a shortcut that launches the game from Steam.
The shortcut method requires the Epic Games Launcher to be installed on your computer, and Fortnite must already be installed through that launcher.
On Windows, you add a non-Steam shortcut by opening Steam, selecting "Add a Game" from the menu, and pointing it to the Epic Games Launcher executable file with a launch command.
On Steam Deck, you use the same shortcut method but may need to adjust compatibility settings if the game does not launch on the first try.
Creating a shortcut does not move your game files, change your login, or affect how Fortnite updates — it only changes where you start the game from.

What you need before you start

You must have the Epic Games Launcher already installed on your computer. If you do not have it, read it from epicgames.com, install it, and then install Fortnite through the launcher. You will need your Epic Games account to log in and read the game — this can take several hours depending on your internet speed.

You also need to know where the Epic Games Launcher is installed. On Windows, it is usually in C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Launcher\Engine\Binaries\Win64 or C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games\Launcher\Engine\Binaries\Win64. The exact path depends on whether you chose the default installation location and whether your Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit. If you installed it somewhere else, you will need to find that folder.

Adding the shortcut on Windows

Open Steam and go to the menu at the top left. Click Add a Game, then select Add a Non-Steam Game. A window will open with a list of programs on your computer. Scroll down to find Epic Games Launcher, or click Browse at the bottom to navigate to the launcher's executable file manually.

If you use Browse, navigate to the Epic Games Launcher folder and select the file named EpicGamesLauncher.exe. Once you select it, click Open, then click Add Selected Programs. The launcher will now appear in your Steam library.

Right-click on the Epic Games Launcher entry in your Steam library and select Properties. In the Launch Options field at the bottom, type -opengl or leave it blank — most users do not need launch options. Click OK. Now when you click Play in Steam, it will open the Epic Games Launcher. Log in with your Epic Games account, and Fortnite will appear in your launcher library ready to start.

Some users prefer to create a shortcut that launches Fortnite directly instead of opening the launcher first. To do this, you need the path to Fortnite's executable file. In the Epic Games Launcher, go to your Library, find Fortnite, click the three dots next to it, and select Show in Explorer. This opens the folder where Fortnite is installed. Look for a file named FortniteGame.exe or navigate to Binaries\Win64 and find FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe. Copy the full path to this file, then follow the same steps above but paste the path to Fortnite's executable instead of the launcher's. This skips the launcher window and starts the game directly.

Adding the shortcut on Steam Deck

Steam Deck runs a Linux-based system, so the process is slightly different. First, make sure Proton is enabled for non-Steam games. Go to Steam settings, select Compatibility, and toggle on Enable Steam Play for non-Steam games. Choose a recent Proton version — Proton Experimental or the latest stable version usually works best for Fortnite.

Add the Epic Games Launcher as a non-Steam shortcut the same way you would on Windows: go to Add a Game, select Add a Non-Steam Game, and browse to the Epic Games Launcher executable. Once it is in your library, right-click it and select Properties. Under Compatibility, make sure a Proton version is selected. Click OK.

Launch the shortcut. The first time you run it, Steam will set up Proton and the launcher may take longer to start. Log in with your Epic Games account. Once you are logged in, you can launch Fortnite from the launcher. If the game does not start or crashes, try a different Proton version in the Properties menu — Proton 8.0 or later usually works, but some users report better results with Proton Experimental.

Troubleshooting if the shortcut does not work

If clicking Play does nothing or gives an error, the most common cause is that the path to the launcher is wrong. Right-click the shortcut in your Steam library, select Properties, and check the target path. Make sure it points to EpicGamesLauncher.exe and that the path exists on your computer. You can copy the path into File Explorer to verify it is correct.

If the launcher opens but Fortnite does not appear in your library, you may not be logged in or the game may not be installed. Log out and back in with your Epic Games account. If Fortnite still does not show, go to the Epic Games website, log in, and check that Fortnite is in your account library. If it is not, you will need to install it through the launcher first.

On Steam Deck, if the launcher or game crashes on startup, try a different Proton version. Go back to Properties, click Compatibility, and select a different version from the dropdown. Proton 8.26 or Proton Experimental are common choices. You may also need to increase the shader cache size in Steam Deck settings if the game stutters on first launch.

Why Fortnite is not on Steam

Epic Games created both Fortnite and the Epic Games Launcher. They chose not to sell Fortnite through Steam because Steam takes a 30 percent cut of game sales, and Epic Games wanted to keep more revenue. By running their own launcher, Epic Games keeps 100 percent of what players spend on the game and in-game items.

This is a business decision, not a technical limitation. Epic Games could put Fortnite on Steam if they wanted to, but they would earn less money. The same reason explains why other games like Valorant, Apex Legends, and League of Legends are not on Steam — their publishers run their own launchers instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does adding Fortnite to Steam as a shortcut change how the game updates?

No. Fortnite still updates through the Epic Games Launcher, the same way it would if you launched it directly. The shortcut only changes where you click to start the game. Updates happen automatically when you open the launcher, whether you opened it from Steam or from your desktop.

Can I move Fortnite files into Steam's game folder?

You can move the files, but Fortnite will not run from Steam's folder because the game is designed to work only with the Epic Games Launcher. If you move the files, the launcher will not find them and will ask you to reinstall. It is simpler to leave Fortnite where it is and use the shortcut method.

Will my friends see that I am playing Fortnite if I launch it from Steam?

Yes, Steam will show that you are playing Fortnite in your profile and to your friends. The shortcut appears as a game in your library, so Steam tracks your playtime and shows your status the same way it does for native Steam games.

What if the Epic Games Launcher is not in my Program Files folder?

If you installed it in a custom location, open File Explorer and search for EpicGamesLauncher.exe. Windows will find the file and show you its location. Copy that full path and use it when you create the shortcut in Steam.

Can I play Fortnite on Steam Deck without creating a shortcut?

You can, but you would need to switch to Desktop mode and launch the Epic Games Launcher manually each time. The shortcut method keeps Fortnite in your Steam Deck game library where it is easier to find and launch in Gaming mode.

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