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How to Change Download Location in Epic Games Launcher
Edited 4 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
Epic Games LauncherDownload LocationStorageConfigurationCustomizationSettingsData ManagementGamingSoftwarePreferences
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The Epic Games Launcher is an application that allows you to purchase, download, and play games on your computer. One of the frequent problems faced by users is the need to change the default download location of a game. This can be due to various reasons, such as limited storage space on the current drive or to better organize files. Understanding how to change the download location within the Epic Games Launcher can help you effectively manage your storage needs. In this guide, we will explore the steps to achieve this, making it a comprehensive step-by-step process for users who may not be familiar with technical terminology or settings.
Understanding the default download location
When you initially install the Epic Games Launcher, all downloaded games and files are directed to a default location set by the launcher. This is often in the computer's main drive, usually the C: drive in Windows systems. This default option can be problematic for users with limited storage capacity, as games nowadays require significant space due to their high-resolution graphics and large content files.
To check where your games are currently downloading, you can open the Epic Games Launcher and go to Settings. It is very important to understand this default setup before making any changes, as it will help you easily transfer your existing installation to the desired location.
Reasons for changing the download location
There are several reasons why you might want to change the download location in your Epic Games Launcher:
- Storage limitations: Many users have limited storage on their primary drive. Moving downloads to a drive with more space can help avoid running out of storage.
- Organizational preferences: Some users prefer to organize their games on a separate drive so they can better manage their files, categorize games, or keep their operating system drive less cluttered.
- Performance optimization: In some cases, using a faster drive such as an SSD for game storage can improve game loading times and overall performance.
Step-by-step guide to change download location
Changing the download location requires several steps, including changing existing settings in the Epic Games Launcher. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a successful transition:
Step 1: Close the Epic Games Launcher
Before making any changes, make sure the Epic Games Launcher is not running. If it is open, exit the application properly. You can do this by right-clicking on the Epic Games Launcher icon in your system tray (located at the bottom right of your screen) and selecting "Exit."
Step 2: Locate the current installation folder
You need to know where the current installation folder is. By default, it can be located in C:\Program Files\Epic Games\ or a similarly named folder. Navigate to this directory using your file explorer. Once you find the folder, make sure you have sufficient permissions to make changes, i.e. administrative rights.
Step 3: Transfer existing game files
Select all the existing game files in the current installation folder and copy them to the new location you want. For example, if you want to move it to the D: drive, create a new folder there (for example, D:\Epic Games) and paste all the copied game files into this new folder. This step may take some time depending on the size of the files and the speed of your drive.
Step 4: Open the Epic Games Launcher in temporary download mode
To have the Epic Games Launcher recognize the new download location, you'll need to temporarily interrupt the download of one of your games:
- Re-open the Epic Games Launcher after transferring the files.
- Select the game you want to change the download location for and start the download. This time choose the new location during the installation wizard.
- Stop the download immediately after it starts.
The launcher will create initial directories and files in your specified location. This step ensures that the launcher recognizes the new path.
Step 5: Replace temporary download files
Once the temporary download has created the new directory and there are enough files to allocate storage, you can stop the download:
- Close the Epic Games Launcher again to make sure no background processes are interfering with the changes.
- Go to the new location selected in step 4 (for example, D:\Epic Games).
- Delete temporary files created by the download process.
- Replace these with the files you copied in step 3.
Step 6: Verify the game files
Open the Epic Games Launcher one last time and resume downloading the game:
- As soon as you restart, the launcher will try to verify the files existing in the directory.
- This process will compare the files to make sure they are complete and correct.
- If some files are missing or need updates, the launcher will download only those files.
This verification process may take some time, but it is vital to ensure that your game remains playable and does not become corrupted due to the movement process.
Possible problems and troubleshooting
Even though the process is generally simple, some users may still encounter problems. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Problem: Epic Games Launcher fails to recognize the new file path
If your launcher is not accepting the new file path, ensure the following:
- Confirm that you have administrative rights, as moving files without sufficient permissions may cause identification problems.
- Restart your computer to clear any cached settings that may be retaining the old installation path.
Problem: Game files are corrupted or the game fails to start
Files usually get corrupted when files are moved incorrectly or the copy-paste process is interrupted:
- Always make sure the file transfer is complete before starting the game.
- Use the "Verify Files" option available in the Epic Games Launcher under the game's Settings to fix any file discrepancies.
Alternative methods for advanced users
Advanced users can explore alternative methods such as creating symbolic links. A symbolic link acts as a shortcut from the default location to the new location, retaining the file identity without the need to change the path in the settings.
Creating symbolic links
To create a symbolic link:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator. You can find this option by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
- Use the following syntax to create a symbolic link:
mklink /D "current location" "new location" - For example,
mklink /D "C:\Program Files\Epic Games\GameName" "D:\Epic Games\GameName"
This will create a link that will redirect the game files to the new location, while making it appear as though they are in the original location on the Epic Games Launcher.
Conclusion
Changing the download location in the Epic Games Launcher is a simple but effective way to manage space on your computer. Whether you're doing this due to storage constraints, organizational preferences, or performance benefits, understanding each step can make the process seamless. If you follow these guidelines and potential troubleshooting tips, you can reconfigure your Epic Games setup without losing any games or encountering persistent errors. Remember that making such changes requires attention to detail, especially when dealing with file movement outside of the launcher.
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