Deleting the Epic Games launcher does not delete the installed games themselves.
Ever wondered what happens to your precious game library if you decide to remove the Epic Games launcher? It’s a common question. Specifically, “does deleting epic games delete all installed games” is a worry for many gamers. This article will clear up the confusion.
You might think uninstalling the platform will automatically remove everything associated with it. The good news is your games aren’t going anywhere. They remain on your computer, safely tucked away in their installation folders, ready to be launched again once you reinstall the launcher.
Does Deleting Epic Games Delete All Installed Games?
Okay, let’s dive into this question that’s probably bugging a lot of gamers: If you remove the Epic Games Launcher, do all your games vanish into thin air? It’s a valid concern because no one wants to lose their hard-earned game collection! The simple answer is: No, deleting the Epic Games Launcher does not automatically delete the games you’ve installed. However, there’s a lot more to it than just a simple yes or no. We need to understand how the Epic Games Launcher works and what happens to your game files. Let’s explore the details, so you’re completely in the know.
The Epic Games Launcher: Your Game Gateway
The Epic Games Launcher is essentially like the front door to your game library. It’s the program that lets you buy games, download them, and launch them. Think of it like a key that unlocks access to your games. It manages updates, tracks your game time, and keeps everything organized. It’s the central hub that connects you to the Epic Games ecosystem.
The Launcher’s Role: More Than Just a Doorway
The launcher doesn’t actually contain your games, though it may feel like it does. It’s more of a manager. It knows where your game files are stored on your computer. It directs those games to launch, applies updates when they become available, and is responsible for letting you know that there are new games to try out. It manages everything for the games.
Think of it like a library catalog. The catalog (launcher) lists all the books (games) you have, but the books themselves are on the shelves (your hard drive). The catalog tells you where to find the books, but removing the catalog doesn’t make the books disappear.
Where Are Your Games Actually Stored?
Okay, so if the Epic Games Launcher isn’t containing the games, where are they located on your computer? This is an important question to answer to help explain why your games don’t just disappear when you uninstall the launcher. When you download and install a game through the Epic Games Launcher, you choose (or it chooses a default) location on your hard drive to save the game files. This location is often, but not always, in the “Program Files” folder, usually inside a folder called “Epic Games.” Here’s how it usually breaks down:
The Core Game Files: These are the main files that make the game run. They might include the game’s executable (.exe) file, the main game data, images, sounds, and lots of other components. These are typically saved in the folder you select during install or the default location.
Save Game Data: Your game progress is also stored on your hard drive. These save files are usually kept in a separate location, often in your “Documents” folder or in a hidden folder in your user directory. The location varies depending on the specific game, so check the game settings if you want to know where they are.
Example of Common Game Locations
Let’s look at some of the common places your games might be hiding after they have been downloaded. While the user may be able to change where the games are installed to, the following are common paths where you might find your games:
Default Location: Usually, your games are found in a location like: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\YourGameName. “C” refers to the hard drive and “YourGameName” is the name of the game, such as Fortnite, Rocket League, or any other game downloaded through the Epic Games Launcher.
Custom Location: If you chose a different location during installation, your games are in that specific folder.
Save Data: You might find save data located in your “Documents” folder, inside a folder named for the game publisher, or perhaps in a location such as: C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\YourGameName
What Happens When You Uninstall the Launcher?
Now for the big question. When you uninstall the Epic Games Launcher, the uninstaller program removes all the launcher files. These files contain the program files required to run the launcher itself, not your games, and therefore, it does not delete the game files that you have downloaded.
Here’s what does and does not happen:
Launcher Files Are Removed: The core program files of the launcher itself are deleted. This removes the shortcut, the program icon and removes any files that have to do with the functioning of the launcher.
Game Files Remain: Your game files are still sitting on your hard drive, just as they were before. They’re safe and sound in their installation folder.
Save Data Is Unaffected: The save files that allow you to continue where you left off, are not deleted when you remove the launcher. They remain in the location that they have always been.
No More Automatic Updates: If the launcher is uninstalled, you’ll no longer get automatic updates.
The Key Takeaway: Games Are Separate From the Launcher
The crucial thing to understand is the separation between the Epic Games Launcher program and the actual game files. They’re separate entities. Think of it like the difference between a vending machine and the drinks inside it. If you remove the vending machine, the drinks are still there – you just need to find another way to get at them (this would be like using a game’s executable file directly, but it’s not always recommended).
Accessing Your Games After Uninstalling the Launcher
So, if your games are still there after uninstalling the launcher, how can you access them? There are ways to do this, but it can be a little more complicated without the launcher. There are two primary methods:
Reinstalling the Epic Games Launcher: This is the easiest way to get back into your games. Once you reinstall, the launcher will scan your hard drive for previously installed games and recognize them. You’ll see all the familiar entries for all the games you had previously and can continue playing as if you never removed it.
Benefit: This is the quickest and most recommended solution. It manages updates, and makes the games easy to launch and play. It allows you to continue as if you never removed it.
Drawback: You need to install the launcher again, this can feel counter productive.
Launching Directly from the Game’s Executable (.exe) File: If you know where your game’s main installation folder is located, you can find the game’s .exe file. You can use this file to launch the game directly.
Benefit: You don’t need to reinstall the launcher.
Drawback: You lose out on all the benefits the launcher provides, like automatic updates, and cloud save syncing for games. Additionally, you may encounter complications using this method and might require workarounds or tweaks to be able to launch successfully.
A Word of Caution: Using .exe Files Directly
While launching directly using the .exe file can allow you to access the game without needing the launcher, it’s usually not the best idea. You might run into some problems including:
Missing Updates: If you don’t use the launcher, you won’t get updates for the game. This could cause the game to become unstable or cause issues when playing online.
Cloud Save Issues: Some games use cloud saving, which is managed by the launcher. Without the launcher, your progress might not be synced correctly. You may encounter an issue where you are using an older save, or no save at all.
Compatibility Issues: The game may need specific files or configurations that the launcher usually provides. Launching directly from the .exe may not account for that, resulting in errors.
Backup your game files
Before you uninstall anything, or in case something goes wrong, it’s always a good idea to back up your games. This way, you have a copy of your game files to easily reinstall. It is better to be safe rather than sorry, and this step can alleviate a lot of headache. Here’s how you might go about backing up the games:
1. Locate Your Game Folders: Find where your games are installed on your computer, following the methods mentioned earlier.
2. Copy to External Drive or Cloud Storage: Create a copy of the game folders, and move them to an external hard drive, USB stick, or cloud storage platform.
3. Keep them safe: Make sure that your drive or cloud storage is properly secured and stored. It is highly recommended to keep an additional backup just in case one fails.
4. Consider Save Game Backups: If you can, it’s also a good idea to back up your save game data.
Benefits of Backups
Data Security: If something happens to your computer, you have a backup copy.
Faster Reinstalls: You can restore your games much faster than having to download the large game files.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that your game collection is safe can give you peace of mind and help you rest easier.
When You Might Want to Uninstall the Launcher
There are times when you might choose to uninstall the Epic Games Launcher, but it’s not typically needed, and usually doesn’t fix much. Here are a couple of reasons:
Troubleshooting: If the launcher is causing issues, you might try uninstalling and reinstalling as a troubleshooting step.
Space: If you are running out of disk space on your primary hard drive, you may want to remove the launcher. This is not recommended though, as the space that the launcher itself takes up is extremely negligible.
Things to Consider Before Uninstalling
Before you decide to uninstall the launcher, keep these points in mind:
Game Access: How will you launch your games after you remove the launcher? You may want to back up the .exe files for the games.
Updates: Will you lose automatic updates? You may need to occasionally reinstall the launcher to get game updates, so plan accordingly.
Cloud Sync: Are you using cloud saves? If so, consider reinstalling the launcher from time to time to sync your saves.
The Final Verdict
To re-emphasize our initial answer, removing the Epic Games Launcher won’t remove your games. Your game files remain on your hard drive. However, the launcher is what makes it easy to manage and update your game collection, and to keep track of all of your purchased games. While there are methods to access the games without the launcher, they usually aren’t the best practice. The safest, easiest, and most convenient way to continue enjoying your games is to reinstall the launcher.
So, don’t worry; your game library is not in danger! Uninstalling the Epic Games Launcher is like removing the key from your front door, not like removing the house! Keep those gaming adventures going strong!
How To Delete Epic Games Launcher (Full Guide) – Uninstall Epic Games Launcher
Final Thoughts
No, deleting the Epic Games launcher does not automatically remove your installed games. Game files are stored in separate folders. You must uninstall games individually through the launcher’s settings.
Therefore, simply removing the Epic Games application leaves your installed games intact on your system. To completely remove all traces, you must also uninstall all games. ‘does deleting epic games delete all installed games’ is answered by understanding their separate file locations.
