Moving your Epic Games installation to a different drive can help free up space on your primary drive, improve game performance, or organize your files better. Whether you’re running out of space or want to keep your games on a dedicated drive, this guide will walk you through the process of changing the install location for Epic Games on Windows and installing new games directly onto your preferred drive. Before starting, ensure you have enough space on the target drive and back up any important data if necessary. This process involves changing default settings, moving existing game files, and reinstalling the Epic Games launcher if needed.
What You’ll Need
- Access to your Windows PC with administrator rights
- Enough free space on the drive where you want to install Epic Games
- Existing Epic Games launcher installed (optional, for moving existing games)
- Basic familiarity with Windows File Explorer and Settings
Step-by-Step
- Close the Epic Games Launcher: Before making any changes, ensure the Epic Games launcher is completely closed. Right-click the Epic Games icon in the system tray and select “Close” or “Exit.” Make sure no background processes are running by opening Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and ending any Epic Games related processes.
- Create a New Install Folder: Decide where you want to install Epic Games or your games. For example, create a folder like D:\Epic Games or E:\Games. To do this, open File Explorer, navigate to the drive, right-click, select “New,” then “Folder,” and name it accordingly.
- Change the Default Install Location in the Epic Games Launcher: Open the Epic Games Launcher. Sign in if you’re not already. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner, then select “Settings.” Scroll down to find the “Install Location” or “Manage Games” section. Click on “Browse” or “Change” to select the new folder you created. Confirm your choice and close the settings.
- Uninstall Existing Games (Optional): If you want to move existing games to the new location, the safest method is to uninstall them from their current location via the Epic Games Launcher, then reinstall them, selecting the new install folder during reinstallation. Alternatively, you can manually move game files, but this requires additional steps and may cause issues if not done correctly.
- Reinstall or Move Games: For new game installations, simply start installing a game, and the launcher should now default to the new location. For existing games, manually move the game folders from the old location to the new one, then in Epic Games Launcher, select the game, click on the three dots, and choose “Verify” or “Repair” to ensure the launcher recognizes the moved files.
- Set Default Drive for Future Installations: When installing new games, you can choose the install location during each setup process. Always select the new folder or drive to keep your games organized as desired.
- Verify the Setup: Launch Epic Games and confirm that new games install to the correct location. Check the game files in the new folder to ensure everything is in place and functioning properly.
Common Mistakes
- Not closing the Epic Games Launcher before changing settings, which can prevent changes from saving properly.
- Moving game files manually without proper verification, leading to corrupted game data.
- Not selecting the new folder during game installation, causing games to still install on the old drive.
- Forgetting to run the launcher as administrator when changing settings, which can cause permission issues.
- Uninstalling games without backing up save data or game files, risking data loss.
Tips
- Always back up your saved games or progress before moving or reinstalling games.
- Use the “Verify” or “Repair” option after manually moving game files to ensure they are correctly recognized.
- Create dedicated folders for your Epic Games and game files to keep your system organized.
- Consider setting your preferred drive as the default during the initial setup of the Epic Games launcher.
- Regularly check your storage space to avoid running out of space unexpectedly.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues during this process, here are some common problems and solutions:
- Games not installing in the new location: Double-check your default install path in Epic Games settings. Restart the launcher after changes.
- Game files are corrupted after moving: Use the “Verify” or “Repair” option in Epic Games Launcher to fix any corrupted files.
- Launcher not saving new install path: Run the launcher as administrator and ensure you have write permissions to the new folder.
- Encountering permission errors: Right-click the Epic Games folder, select “Properties,” go to the “Security” tab, and ensure your user has full control.
- Launcher crashes or fails to launch after changes: Reinstall the Epic Games launcher, then set the install path again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move existing Epic Games to a new drive without reinstalling?
Yes, but it requires manually moving game files and verifying them in the launcher. Reinstalling and selecting the new location during setup is easier and safer.
Will moving the Epic Games folder delete my saved game data?
No, saved data is usually stored separately in your Documents or AppData folders. However, always back up important data before moving files.
How do I set a default install location for future game installs?
In the Epic Games Launcher, go to Settings > Install Location, and select your preferred folder or drive.
What should I do if the launcher doesn’t recognize my moved game files?
Use the “Verify” or “Repair” option in the launcher. If that doesn’t work, uninstall and reinstall the game, then choose the new location during installation.
Can I change the install location after installing a game?
Yes, but it involves moving files manually or reinstalling the game and selecting the new drive during setup.
Is it safe to move the Epic Games folder manually?
It’s not recommended unless you verify the game files afterward. The safest way is to uninstall and reinstall, choosing the new location.
Changing your Epic Games install location can help you better manage your storage and organize your games. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll have your games installed exactly where you want them without hassle. Remember to back up your data and verify game files after moving or reinstalling to prevent issues. With a little patience, you can optimize your setup for a smoother gaming experience.
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