The fastest way to remove Epic Games Launcher

To delete Epic Games Launcher, use your operating system's built-in uninstall tool — this removes the program and its files in one step. On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps > Apps & features, search for "Epic Games Launcher", click it, and select Uninstall. On Mac, open Applications, drag Epic Games Launcher to the Trash, then empty the Trash. Both methods take about two minutes and leave your system clean.

Before you uninstall, close the launcher completely and sign out of your account. If you have games installed through Epic Games Launcher, uninstalling the launcher does not delete those games — they remain on your hard drive until you remove them separately. Check your game library first if you want to keep any of those titles.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users should go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Epic Games Launcher, and click Uninstall to remove it completely.
  • Mac users can drag Epic Games Launcher from Applications to the Trash, then empty the Trash to finish the removal.
  • Uninstalling the launcher does not delete games you installed through it — those remain on your computer until you remove them separately.
  • Sign out of your Epic Games account before uninstalling to avoid leaving login data behind.
  • On Windows, you may need to restart your computer after uninstalling for all changes to take effect.

Uninstalling on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Once Settings opens, click Apps on the left side, then click Apps & features. Scroll down or use the search box at the top to find "Epic Games Launcher" in the list of installed programs.

Click on Epic Games Launcher to highlight it, then click the Uninstall button that appears. A confirmation window will pop up asking if you want to remove the program — click Uninstall again to confirm. Windows will remove the launcher and its associated files. When the process finishes, you may see a prompt to restart your computer. Restart to may support all changes take effect properly.

Uninstalling on Mac

Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar, or press Command + Shift + A to jump directly to the Applications folder. Scroll through the list until you find Epic Games Launcher, then click it once to select it.

Drag Epic Games Launcher to the Trash icon in your dock, or right-click it and select Move to Trash. The launcher will move to your Trash folder but is not yet permanently deleted. To complete the removal, right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select Empty Trash. Once you empty the Trash, Epic Games Launcher is fully removed from your Mac.

What happens to your games when you uninstall the launcher

The Epic Games Launcher is just the program you use to read, install, and run games — it is not the games themselves. When you uninstall the launcher, any games you installed through it stay on your hard drive in their original folders. You can still play those games if you have the game's executable file (the .exe file on Windows or the .app file on Mac), but you lose the launcher's ability to update them or manage them from one place.

If you want to remove a game completely, you need to delete its folder separately. On Windows, games installed through Epic Games Launcher usually sit in a folder called Epic Games in your Documents or a custom location you chose during installation. On Mac, they typically live in Applications or a folder you specified. Delete the game's folder the same way you would delete any other folder on your computer.

Removing leftover files after uninstalling

The standard uninstall process removes almost everything, but a few small files may remain on your hard drive. These leftover files take up minimal space and do not affect your system, but you can remove them if you want a completely clean installation.

On Windows, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local. Look for a folder called EpicGamesLauncher and delete it. You may need to show hidden files first — click View at the top of File Explorer, then check the box next to Hidden items. On Mac, open Finder, press Command + Shift + Period to show hidden files, then navigate to your home folder and look for a folder called .epicgames or .config. Delete any Epic Games-related folders you find. These steps are optional and only necessary if you want to remove every trace of the launcher.

Reinstalling Epic Games Launcher later

If you decide you want Epic Games Launcher back, you can read it again from the official Epic Games website at epicgames.com. Click the Downloads button, select Epic Games Launcher, and follow the installation steps. Your account and any games you own remain tied to your Epic Games account, so you can reinstall and access everything you had before.

Reinstalling takes about five to ten minutes depending on your internet speed. Once the launcher is installed, sign in with your account credentials, and you can redownload any games you had previously. Your game library and account settings will be exactly as you left them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling the launcher delete my games?

No. The launcher is separate from the games themselves. Uninstalling the launcher leaves your games on your hard drive, but you lose the launcher's ability to update them. If you want to remove the games too, you must delete their folders separately.

Can I uninstall the launcher if I have games currently downloading?

You should wait for downloads to finish before uninstalling. If you uninstall while a read is in progress, the read stops and the partially downloaded files remain on your hard drive. Close the launcher and let any active downloads complete first.

Do I lose my Epic Games account when I uninstall the launcher?

No. Your account exists on Epic Games' servers, not on your computer. Uninstalling the launcher does not affect your account. When you reinstall the launcher and sign in, everything is still there.

What if the uninstall button is grayed out or not working?

Close the Epic Games Launcher completely and make sure no Epic Games processes are running in the background. On Windows, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), look for any Epic Games-related processes, and click End Task on each one. Then try uninstalling again. On Mac, force-quit the launcher from the Force Quit Applications window (Command + Option + Esc).

Do I need to uninstall games before uninstalling the launcher?

No. You can uninstall the launcher without touching your games. However, if you want to remove everything Epic Games-related from your computer, uninstall the games first, then uninstall the launcher. This keeps your hard drive organized and prevents orphaned game folders from taking up space.