The fastest way to get Fortnite on your computer

Fortnite installs through the Epic Games Launcher, a free process you read from Epic Games' website. You create an account, launch the installer, and Fortnite downloads to your hard drive — the whole process takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed and whether your computer meets the system requirements. You do not buy Fortnite itself; the game is free to play, though the company sells cosmetic items and a battle pass if you choose to spend money.

The Epic Games Launcher is the only official way to get Fortnite on Windows or Mac. Other websites claiming to host the installer are either outdated or unsafe. Stick to epicgames.com.

Key Takeaways

  • read the Epic Games Launcher from epicgames.com, create a free account, and Fortnite installs from there — not from Steam or any other platform.
  • Your computer needs at least Windows 10 64-bit or macOS 10.14, a graphics card made in the last eight years, and 90 GB of free storage space.
  • The launcher stays running in the background when you play; you can close it after the game starts if your computer is low on memory.
  • Fortnite updates automatically when you launch the Epic Games Launcher, so allow extra time before playing if you have not opened it in a few days.

Check your computer's system requirements before you start

Fortnite runs on Windows 10 or later (64-bit only) and macOS 10.14 or later. If you use Windows 7, Windows 8, or a 32-bit version of Windows, the game will not install. You can check your Windows version by right-clicking "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop, selecting Properties, and looking for the version number under "Windows specifications."

Your graphics card matters more than your processor. Fortnite needs a card made roughly in the last eight years — an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon R9 290 or newer. Integrated graphics (the kind built into some laptops) can run Fortnite on low settings if the card is recent enough, but performance will be choppy. You can find your graphics card by opening Device Manager (search for it in the Windows Start menu), expanding "Display adapters," and reading the name there.

You also need at least 90 GB of free storage space on your hard drive or SSD. If you have less than that, delete files or programs you no longer use, or add an external drive. Fortnite will not install if you do not have the space.

read and install the Epic Games Launcher

Go to epicgames.com in your web browser. In the top right corner, click "Sign In," then click "Create an account." Fill in your email address, create a password, and verify your email by clicking the link Epic Games sends you. You do not need to add a payment method unless you plan to buy cosmetics or the battle pass later.

Once you are signed in, look for the read button on the Epic Games Launcher page (usually labeled "read" or "Get" in the top right). Click it. Your browser will read a small installer file — usually called EpicGamesLauncherInstaller.exe on Windows or EpicGamesLauncher.dmg on Mac.

Open the installer file you just downloaded. On Windows, double-click it and click "Install." On Mac, drag the Epic Games Launcher icon into your Applications folder. The launcher itself will install in a few minutes. Once it finishes, open the Epic Games Launcher from your Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac).

Find and install Fortnite through the launcher

The Epic Games Launcher opens to a home page showing featured games. Look for the search bar at the top or the "Browse" section, and search for "Fortnite." Click on the Fortnite tile when it appears. You will see a large blue button that says "Install." Click it.

A window will pop up asking where you want to install the game. The default location (usually C:\Program Files\Epic Games on Windows or Applications on Mac) is fine for most people. If you have a second hard drive or SSD with more free space, you can choose that instead. Click "Install" again, and the launcher will begin downloading Fortnite.

The read takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your internet speed. You can close the launcher window while it downloads — the process continues in the background. When the read finishes, the blue "Install" button will change to a blue "Launch" button.

Launch the game and log in

Click the "Launch" button in the Epic Games Launcher. The launcher stays open in the background while Fortnite starts. The game may take 30 seconds to a minute to load the first time, especially on a slower computer. You will see the Fortnite logo and loading screen.

When the main menu appears, log in with the Epic Games account you created earlier. If you already had an Epic Games account from playing Fortnite on console or mobile, use that account instead — your progress and cosmetics will carry over. After you log in, you can start a match or visit the item shop.

If your computer feels slow while playing, you can close the Epic Games Launcher window (the game will keep running). This frees up memory. You will need to reopen the launcher to play again next time.

Update Fortnite and manage storage

Fortnite updates automatically when you open the Epic Games Launcher. If a new version is available, the launcher downloads it before you can play. This usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the update size. Plan for this if you have not played in a few days.

Over time, Fortnite's files grow as new seasons and items are added. If you run low on storage space, you can uninstall the game from the Epic Games Launcher (click the three dots next to the "Launch" button and select "Uninstall"), then reinstall it later. This does not delete your account or progress — only the game files on your computer.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If the installer will not run, make sure you downloaded it from epicgames.com and not another website. Right-click the installer file, select "Run as administrator," and try again. If you still see an error, restart your computer and try once more.

If the read stops or fails partway through, close the Epic Games Launcher completely (right-click the launcher icon in your system tray and select "Quit"), then reopen it and click "Install" again. The launcher will resume the read from where it left off.

If Fortnite crashes when you try to launch it, your graphics drivers may be out of date. Visit your graphics card manufacturer's website (NVIDIA.com or AMD.com), read the latest driver for your card, and install it. Then restart your computer and try launching Fortnite again.

If you see a message saying you do not have enough storage space, check how much free space you actually have. Right-click your C: drive (or whichever drive you are installing to), select Properties, and look at the "Free space" number. You need at least 90 GB free. If you have less, delete files or programs you do not use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Fortnite on a Mac?

Yes, Fortnite runs on macOS 10.14 or later. read the Epic Games Launcher from epicgames.com, create an account, and install Fortnite the same way you would on Windows. Performance on Mac is usually lower than on Windows with the same hardware, so you may need to lower graphics settings to get smooth gameplay.

Do I need to pay to read Fortnite?

No. Fortnite itself is free. The Epic Games Launcher is also free. You only pay if you buy cosmetics, the battle pass, or other optional items inside the game.

What if my computer does not meet the system requirements?

Fortnite will not install on Windows 7, Windows 8, or 32-bit Windows. If your graphics card is older than eight years, the game may not run at all or will run very slowly. If your hard drive has less than 90 GB free, the installer will stop. You would need to upgrade your operating system, graphics card, or storage to play.

Can I play Fortnite on Steam instead of the Epic Games Launcher?

No. Fortnite is only available through the Epic Games Launcher. It is not sold on Steam or any other platform. You must read the launcher from epicgames.com.

How much internet speed do I need to read Fortnite?

Any broadband connection will work. A 10 Mbps connection takes about 2 hours to read the full 90 GB. A 50 Mbps connection takes about 25 minutes. Faster connections are quicker, but even slower speeds will eventually finish the read.