The Epic Games Launcher is an essential app for gamers who enjoy titles like Fortnite, Rocket League, and GTA V. However, if you no longer use it or your PC feels sluggish, it might be time to say goodbye to it. Many users often wonder, why is my system so slow even when I’m not gaming? The answer often lies in background applications that consume resources—and Epic Games Launcher can be one of them.
If you’re thinking of freeing up disk space, improving startup speed, and boosting overall performance, you’re in the right place. This step-by-step guide will show you 🪶 How to Uninstall Epic Games Launcher quickly and safely, without leaving any hidden files behind.
💡 Why Uninstall the Epic Games Launcher?
Before diving into the uninstallation process, it’s helpful to understand why users decide to remove this software.
The Epic Games Launcher automatically updates itself, checks for new patches, and syncs games in the background. This can cause high CPU or memory usage, especially on low-end systems. Uninstalling it can:
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Free up several gigabytes of disk space
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Reduce background processes and system load
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Speed up boot time and system responsiveness
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Eliminate unnecessary auto-updates and notifications
If you’ve shifted to another gaming platform like Steam, Origin, or GOG Galaxy, or simply don’t play Epic titles anymore, uninstalling the launcher makes perfect sense.
⚙️ Step-by-Step Guide: How to Uninstall Epic Games Launcher
Let’s get into the main task — How to Uninstall Epic Games Launcher completely from your computer. The process slightly varies depending on your operating system, so we’ll break it down for both Windows and macOS users.
🪟 For Windows Users
Step 1: Close the Launcher Completely
Before removing it, make sure the Epic Games Launcher isn’t running in the background.
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Right-click on your taskbar and open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
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Under the Processes tab, find EpicGamesLauncher.exe.
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Select it and click End Task.
This ensures no files are in use when you start uninstalling.
Step 2: Open Control Panel or Settings
You can uninstall the launcher through either the Control Panel or the Settings app.
Option 1 (Control Panel):
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Type Control Panel in the search bar.
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Click Programs → Programs and Features.
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Find Epic Games Launcher, right-click it, and choose Uninstall.
Option 2 (Settings):
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Go to Apps → Installed Apps.
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Scroll to find Epic Games Launcher.
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Click the three dots next to it and choose Uninstall.
Step 3: Confirm Uninstallation
A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm. Click Yes, and Windows will start removing the application. The process usually takes a few seconds to a minute.
Step 4: Delete Leftover Files (Optional but Recommended)
Even after uninstallation, small residual files might remain.
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Press Windows + R, type
%localappdata%, and hit Enter. -
Find and delete the folder named EpicGamesLauncher or Epic Games.
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You can also check your Program Files or Program Files (x86) directory for any leftover folders.
This ensures your PC is completely free from unnecessary files.
🍎 For macOS Users
Step 1: Quit the Launcher
Before uninstalling, close the Epic Games Launcher completely.
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Right-click the Epic Games icon in the Dock.
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Choose Quit.
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You can also press Command + Option + Esc, select the launcher, and click Force Quit if it’s frozen.
Step 2: Move to Trash
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Open the Applications folder.
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Locate the Epic Games Launcher app.
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Drag it to the Trash or right-click and select Move to Trash.
Step 3: Remove Leftover Files
To ensure a clean removal, you’ll need to delete supporting files:
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Open Finder, then go to Go → Go to Folder.
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Type
~/Library/Application Support/and press Enter. -
Delete any folder named Epic or Epic Games.
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Next, navigate to
~/Library/Caches/and~/Library/Preferences/and remove related files.
Finally, empty your Trash to permanently erase all components.
🧹 Bonus Tip: Clean Your System After Uninstalling
Once you’ve completed How to Uninstall Epic Games Launcher, take a few extra minutes to optimize your system. You can:
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Restart your computer to clear temporary memory.
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Use a disk cleanup tool to delete unnecessary cache or temp files.
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Defragment your hard drive (for HDD users) or run Optimize Drives on Windows.
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Check startup programs — disable anything you don’t need running automatically.
These small actions can dramatically improve system speed after removing heavy applications like Epic Games Launcher.
🕹️ What Happens to Your Games After Uninstalling?
A common question users ask when learning How to Uninstall Epic Games Launcher is whether their games will also be deleted.
Here’s the answer:
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Yes, uninstalling the launcher removes access to all installed Epic Games.
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However, your saved game data for most titles is stored in the cloud or within your user’s Documents folder.
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If you reinstall the launcher later, you can log in to your Epic account and redownload your games without losing progress.
Still, it’s a good idea to back up your save files manually before uninstalling, especially for offline or single-player games that don’t sync automatically.
⚡ Alternative Ways to Manage Epic Games Without the Launcher
If you simply want to reduce load times but still keep access to Epic titles, here are some lightweight alternatives instead of full uninstallation:
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Disable Auto-Startup:
Open Task Manager → Startup Apps, and disable Epic Games Launcher.
This prevents it from starting automatically when you boot your PC. -
Limit Background Updates:
Inside the launcher’s settings, turn off Auto-Update Games and Minimize to System Tray. -
Move Games to Another Drive:
If you only want to free up space on your main SSD, move the installed games to a different drive before uninstalling or reinstalling.
These tweaks can balance storage management without fully removing your launcher.
🧠 Pro Tip: Use Uninstaller Software
For users who prefer a one-click solution, third-party uninstallers like Revo Uninstaller, IObit Uninstaller, or Geek Uninstaller can do the job automatically.
These tools scan for leftover files, registry entries, and folders related to the launcher and remove them in one go. They’re especially useful if you’ve had installation issues or corrupt Epic files in the past.
🧩 Common Issues During Uninstallation
Sometimes, uninstalling Epic Games Launcher doesn’t go smoothly. Here’s how to fix common issues:
Problem 1: “Epic Games Launcher is currently running.”
→ Solution: End the process in Task Manager and try again.
Problem 2: “Uninstall option is grayed out.”
→ Solution: Run your computer in Safe Mode and uninstall from there.
Problem 3: “Leftover files can’t be deleted.”
→ Solution: Restart your PC and delete the folders manually.
These fixes ensure a smooth process from start to finish.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Uninstalling the Epic Games Launcher is a smart choice if you’re looking to boost performance, save disk space, or declutter your gaming setup. It’s fast, easy, and safe to do when you follow the right steps.
By following this detailed guide on How to Uninstall Epic Games Launcher, you’ve successfully lightened your system and taken back valuable resources. Whether you plan to reinstall later or move on to another gaming platform, your computer will definitely thank you for the extra breathing room.
