How to Completely Uninstall the Epic Games Launcher: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’ve decided to part ways with the Epic Games Launcher. Maybe you’re freeing up storage space, switching to another platform, or just tired of the constant updates. Whatever your reason, uninstalling the Epic Games Launcher isn’t always as straightforward as clicking a simple ‘Uninstall’ button. Often, leftover files and processes can linger, potentially causing issues down the line. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring a clean and complete removal of the Epic Games Launcher from your system.
## Why a Complete Uninstall Matters
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand why a thorough uninstall is crucial. Leaving behind residual files and registry entries can lead to:
* **Storage Waste:** Leftover game installations, downloaded content, and launcher data can occupy significant disk space.
* **Performance Issues:** Unnecessary background processes associated with the launcher can consume system resources, slowing down your computer.
* **Software Conflicts:** Residual files might interfere with other programs or future installations, causing compatibility problems.
* **Registry Clutter:** Invalid registry entries can accumulate over time, potentially affecting system stability.
Therefore, taking the extra time to ensure a complete uninstall is well worth the effort.
## Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
* **Administrative Privileges:** You’ll need administrator rights on your computer to uninstall the launcher and remove associated files.
* **Closed Epic Games Launcher and Related Processes:** Ensure that the Epic Games Launcher and any related processes are completely closed before proceeding. We’ll cover how to do this in detail below.
* **Sufficient Time:** The uninstall process may take a few minutes, depending on the size of your game library and the speed of your computer.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstalling the Epic Games Launcher
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps involved in completely removing the Epic Games Launcher from your system:
### Step 1: Close the Epic Games Launcher and Related Processes
This is the most critical step. If the launcher or its processes are running, the uninstallation process will likely fail or leave behind incomplete files. Here’s how to ensure everything is closed:
1. **Close the Launcher Window:** If the Epic Games Launcher is open, close it by clicking the ‘X’ button in the top-right corner.
2. **Check the System Tray:** The launcher may still be running in the system tray (the area near the clock on your taskbar). Right-click the Epic Games Launcher icon in the system tray and select ‘Exit’ or ‘Quit’.
3. **Use Task Manager (If Necessary):** If the launcher doesn’t close properly, or you suspect related processes are still running, use Task Manager:
* Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager.
* Click the ‘Processes’ tab (or ‘Details’ tab on Windows 10/11).
* Look for any processes related to ‘Epic Games Launcher’, ‘EpicOnlineServices’, or any game you installed through the launcher (e.g., ‘Fortnite’, ‘Rocket League’).
* Select each process and click ‘End Task’.
**Important Note:** Be cautious when ending processes in Task Manager. Only end processes that you are sure are related to the Epic Games Launcher or its games.
### Step 2: Uninstall the Epic Games Launcher Through Control Panel/Settings
This is the standard method for uninstalling programs in Windows.
**For Windows 10/11:**
1. **Open Settings:** Click the Windows Start button and then click the ‘Settings’ icon (the gear icon).
2. **Go to Apps:** In the Settings window, click ‘Apps’.
3. **Find the Epic Games Launcher:** Scroll through the list of installed apps or use the search bar to find ‘Epic Games Launcher’.
4. **Uninstall:** Click the ‘Epic Games Launcher’ entry and then click the ‘Uninstall’ button. A confirmation prompt will appear; click ‘Uninstall’ again to proceed.
**For Windows 7/8/8.1:**
1. **Open Control Panel:** Click the Windows Start button and then click ‘Control Panel’.
2. **Go to Programs and Features:** In the Control Panel, click ‘Programs’ and then click ‘Programs and Features’.
3. **Find the Epic Games Launcher:** Scroll through the list of installed programs or use the search bar to find ‘Epic Games Launcher’.
4. **Uninstall:** Right-click the ‘Epic Games Launcher’ entry and select ‘Uninstall’. A confirmation prompt will appear; click ‘Yes’ to proceed.
### Step 3: Delete Leftover Files and Folders
After uninstalling the launcher through the Control Panel/Settings, there will likely be leftover files and folders. It’s essential to remove these to ensure a clean uninstall.
1. **Open File Explorer:** Press `Windows key + E` to open File Explorer.
2. **Enable Hidden Files and Folders (If Necessary):** Some leftover files may be hidden. To make them visible:
* **Windows 10/11:** Click the ‘View’ tab in File Explorer. In the ‘Show/hide’ group, check the ‘Hidden items’ box.
* **Windows 7/8/8.1:** Click ‘Organize’ in File Explorer, then select ‘Folder and search options’. Go to the ‘View’ tab, and under ‘Hidden files and folders’, select ‘Show hidden files, folders, and drives’. Click ‘Apply’ and then ‘OK’.
3. **Navigate to the Following Locations and Delete the Folders (If They Exist):**
* `C:\Program Files\Epic Games` (Delete the entire ‘Epic Games’ folder)
* `C:\Program Files (x86)\Epic Games` (Delete the entire ‘Epic Games’ folder if it exists)
* `C:\ProgramData\Epic` (Delete the entire ‘Epic’ folder)
* `C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\EpicGamesLauncher` (Replace `[YourUsername]` with your actual username. Delete the entire ‘EpicGamesLauncher’ folder)
* `C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Epic` (Replace `[YourUsername]` with your actual username. Delete the entire ‘Epic’ folder)
* `C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Epic Games` (Replace `[YourUsername]` with your actual username. Delete the entire ‘Epic Games’ folder)
**Important Notes:**
* Replace `[YourUsername]` with your actual Windows username.
* If a folder doesn’t exist in a specific location, it means it wasn’t created on your system, so you can skip that location.
* Be extremely careful when deleting files and folders. Make sure you are deleting the correct folders before proceeding. Deleting the wrong files could cause system instability.
### Step 4: Remove Registry Entries (Advanced – Use with Caution)
**Warning:** This step involves editing the Windows Registry. Incorrectly modifying the registry can cause serious problems with your computer. Back up your registry before proceeding. If you are not comfortable editing the registry, skip this step.
1. **Open Registry Editor:** Press `Windows key + R` to open the Run dialog box. Type `regedit` and press Enter. Click ‘Yes’ if prompted by User Account Control.
2. **Back Up Your Registry:** Before making any changes, back up your registry. In Registry Editor, click ‘File’ and then ‘Export’. Choose a location to save the backup file, give it a name (e.g., ‘RegistryBackup’), and click ‘Save’.
3. **Navigate to the Following Registry Keys and Delete Them (If They Exist):**
* `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Epic Games` (Delete the entire ‘Epic Games’ key)
* `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Epic Games` (Delete the entire ‘Epic Games’ key)
* `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\EpicGamesLauncher` (Delete the entire ‘EpicGamesLauncher’ key)
4. **Search for Other Epic Games Related Entries:**
* Press `Ctrl + F` to open the Find dialog box.
* Type ‘Epic Games’ in the ‘Find what’ box and click ‘Find Next’.
* If the search finds a key or value that is clearly related to the Epic Games Launcher, and you are confident it is safe to delete, right-click it and select ‘Delete’.
* Press `F3` to continue searching for the next occurrence of ‘Epic Games’.
* Repeat this process until the search is complete.
**Important Notes:**
* Be extremely careful when deleting registry entries. Only delete entries that you are absolutely sure are related to the Epic Games Launcher.
* Deleting the wrong registry entries can cause serious problems with your computer. If you are unsure about deleting an entry, leave it alone.
* Restart your computer after making changes to the registry.
### Step 5: Delete Epic Online Services (EOS) Cache
Even after uninstalling the launcher, the Epic Online Services (EOS) cache might persist. This cache stores data related to your Epic Games account and games. Deleting it can further ensure a clean uninstall.
1. **Locate the EOS Cache Folder:** The EOS cache folder is typically located in the following directory:
* `C:\ProgramData\Epic\EpicOnlineServices\Data`
2. **Delete the Contents of the Data Folder:** Open the ‘Data’ folder and delete all the files and folders inside it.
**Note:** You might need administrative privileges to delete these files.
### Step 6: Check for and Remove Remaining Services
Sometimes, services associated with the Epic Games Launcher or Epic Online Services may still be running in the background. To remove these:
1. **Open Services:** Press `Windows key + R`, type `services.msc`, and press Enter.
2. **Look for Epic Games Related Services:** Scroll through the list of services and look for any services with names like ‘EpicOnlineServices’ or similar.
3. **Stop and Disable the Service:** If you find any relevant services:
* Right-click the service and select ‘Properties’.
* In the ‘General’ tab, click ‘Stop’ to stop the service.
* In the ‘Startup type’ dropdown, select ‘Disabled’.
* Click ‘Apply’ and then ‘OK’.
### Step 7: Restart Your Computer
After completing all the above steps, restart your computer to ensure that all changes are applied and any remaining processes are terminated.
## Troubleshooting
Here are some common issues you might encounter during the uninstall process and how to resolve them:
* **”Cannot Uninstall Because the Program is Running” Error:** This error indicates that the Epic Games Launcher or related processes are still running. Follow Step 1 carefully to ensure that all processes are closed before attempting to uninstall.
* **”Access Denied” Error:** This error indicates that you don’t have sufficient permissions to delete certain files or folders. Make sure you are logged in as an administrator and try again. You might also need to take ownership of the files or folders before deleting them.
* **Launcher Reinstalls Itself:** This can happen if the Epic Games Launcher is still present in the Windows startup programs. You can disable it through Task Manager (Startup tab) or using a utility like Autoruns.
* **Problems After Uninstalling:** If you experience issues after uninstalling the launcher, such as game crashes or other software conflicts, try reinstalling the launcher and then uninstalling it again following the steps in this guide.
## Conclusion
Completely uninstalling the Epic Games Launcher requires a bit more effort than a simple uninstall, but it’s worth it to ensure a clean and stable system. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently remove the launcher and all its associated files and registry entries. Remember to proceed with caution when editing the registry and always back up your data before making any changes. Happy gaming (or non-gaming, as the case may be)!