read Fortnite directly from Epic Games, not Steam

Fortnite is not sold through Steam. You read it from the Epic Games Launcher, which is a separate program you install first. Once the launcher is on your PC, you use it to read and run Fortnite itself. This is the only official way to get Fortnite on Windows.

Epic Games Launcher is free and works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. You will need a free Epic Games account to read the game. The launcher also handles updates automatically, so you do not have to manually patch Fortnite each time a new season starts.

Key Takeaways

  • read the Epic Games Launcher from epicgames.com, not from Steam or any other store.
  • Create a free Epic Games account during the launcher setup, or sign in with an existing account.
  • Open the launcher, find Fortnite in the store, and click Install to read the game to your PC.
  • Your PC needs at least 90 GB of free disk space and meets the minimum graphics requirements before you start the read.
  • After installation, launch Fortnite from the Epic Games Launcher and sign in with your account to play.

Step 1: Install the Epic Games Launcher

Go to epicgames.com in your web browser. Look for the "read" button or link, usually near the top of the page. Click it and select the Windows version. The file will read to your computer — it is typically called something like "EpicInstaller.exe".

Once the file finishes downloading, double-click it to run the installer. Follow the on-screen prompts. The launcher will ask you where you want to install it on your PC — the default location (usually C:\Program Files) works fine. Let the installer finish completely before moving to the next step.

Step 2: Create or sign into your Epic Games account

When the Epic Games Launcher opens for the first time, you will see a sign-in screen. If you already have an Epic Games account, enter your email and password. If you do not have one, click the option to create a new account — it is free and takes about two minutes.

During account creation, you will choose a username, set a password, and verify your email address. Epic Games will send you a confirmation link; click it in your email to finish. Once your account is active, sign into the launcher with those credentials.

Step 3: Find and install Fortnite

Open the Epic Games Launcher and look at the left sidebar. Click on the store icon or "Store" to browse games. Search for "Fortnite" using the search bar at the top. When you find it, click on the Fortnite page and look for a large blue button that says "Install".

Click Install. The launcher will ask you to choose a location on your PC where the game files will go — again, the default is fine. Fortnite is about 90 GB, so the read will take time depending on your internet speed. A typical broadband connection (25 Mbps or faster) will take one to three hours. You can close the launcher and come back later; the read will continue in the background.

Check your PC meets the minimum requirements

Before you start the read, make sure your PC can run Fortnite. The game needs at least an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon R9 290 graphics card, 8 GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i5 or equivalent processor. Your PC also needs at least 90 GB of free disk space.

If your PC is older or uses integrated graphics (the graphics built into your processor rather than a separate card), Fortnite may run very slowly or not at all. You can check your graphics card by right-clicking on your desktop and looking for an NVIDIA or AMD option, or by opening Device Manager (search for it in the Windows search bar) and expanding "Display adapters". If you are unsure whether your PC meets the requirements, the Epic Games Launcher will tell you during installation if there is a problem.

Launch Fortnite and sign in

Once the installation is complete, the blue Install button will change to a "Launch" button. Click it to start Fortnite. The game will open and ask you to sign in with your Epic Games account — use the same email and password you created earlier.

The first time you launch Fortnite, it may read additional files or updates. This is normal and happens automatically. After that, you are ready to play. From now on, you can launch Fortnite directly from the Epic Games Launcher whenever you want.

Keep Fortnite updated

The Epic Games Launcher checks for updates automatically and will read them in the background when you are not playing. Before each new season (roughly every 10 weeks), Fortnite releases a major update that can be 10 to 30 GB. The launcher handles this without you having to do anything.

If you want to check for updates manually, open the Epic Games Launcher, find Fortnite in your library, and look for an update button. You can also set the launcher to notify you when updates are ready. Keeping Fortnite updated ensures you have access to new content and that you can play online with other players.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Fortnite on an external hard drive or USB drive?

Yes. During the install step, when the launcher asks where to put the game files, you can choose an external drive instead of your main hard drive. Make sure the external drive is plugged in whenever you play, and that it has at least 90 GB of free space. External drives are slower than internal ones, so the game may load slightly more slowly.

What if the read keeps stopping or failing?

Check your internet connection first — a weak or unstable connection is the most common cause. Pause the read in the launcher, wait a few minutes, and resume it. If it keeps failing, restart your PC and try again. You can also move the launcher to a different location on your hard drive (uninstall and reinstall it) in case there is a file permission issue.

Do I need to pay for Fortnite?

No. Fortnite is free to read and play. The game makes money through cosmetic items (skins, emotes, and battle passes) that you can buy with real money, but none of these affect gameplay or give you an advantage. You can play the entire game without spending anything.

Can I uninstall Fortnite and reinstall it later?

Yes. Open the Epic Games Launcher, go to your library, find Fortnite, and click the three-dot menu next to it. Select "Uninstall". This removes the game files from your PC and frees up the 90 GB of space. To reinstall, just click Install again from the store — your account and progress are saved on Epic Games' servers, so you will not lose anything.

Why is Fortnite not on Steam?

Epic Games owns Fortnite and chose to distribute it through their own launcher instead of Steam. This lets Epic keep more of the money from game sales and cosmetic purchases. Some players prefer Steam, but Fortnite is only available through the Epic Games Launcher on PC.