Locating your Epic Games installation is often the first step after a fresh download or when managing a growing library. While the platform handles much of the process automatically, understanding the default paths and how to customize them gives you greater control over your storage and system organization.
Default Installation Paths by Operating System
Epic Games follows the standard conventions of each operating system, placing the launcher and its managed titles in predictable locations. This consistency makes it easier for users to migrate between devices or troubleshoot file paths.
Windows 10 and 11
On Windows, the Epic Games Launcher installs directly to the system drive unless you specify otherwise during setup. The standard path is `C:\Program Files\Epic Games\Launcher\Portal\Bin`, and this is where the core application files reside. Games installed through the launcher are typically found in a separate folder, most commonly at `C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\EpicGamesLauncher\Data\Manifests` for metadata, with the actual game files stored in `C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\EpicGames\Games`.
macOS
Apple’s ecosystem takes a slightly different approach, favoring a streamlined user directory structure. On macOS, you will primarily find the launcher and its associated files within the `~/Library/Application Support/EpicGamesLauncher/Data/Manifests` directory. The installed applications themselves are usually symlinked or organized within `~/Library/Containers/com.epicgames.EpicGamesLauncher/Data/Library/Application Support/EpicGames/Launcher/Portal/Bin`.
Accessing the Installation Folder Directly
Knowing the path is helpful, but you might need to open the folder to locate a specific config file or mod directory. Both Windows and macOS provide straightforward methods to jump directly to the Epic Games directory without navigating through the file explorer manually.
Using the Epic Games Launcher
Inside the launcher, accessing the installation folder is just a click away. Hover your cursor over the game tile in your library, click the three dots that appear, and select "Show in Folder." This action instantly opens the exact directory where that specific title's files are stored, saving you time from digging through system directories.
Manual Navigation via File Explorer
For Windows users, pressing `Win + R`, typing `%localappdata%\EpicGamesLauncher\Data\Manifests`, and hitting enter will take you to the manifest folder. To view the actual game binaries, navigate to `%localappdata%\EpicGames\Games` in a new File Explorer window. macOS users can access the `~/Library` folder by opening Finder, selecting "Go," holding down the Option key to reveal "Library," and then following the Application Support path mentioned earlier.
Managing Storage and Installation Locations
Not everyone wants their games on the primary system drive, especially when dealing with large titles that consume hundreds of gigabytes. Fortunately, the Epic Games Launcher allows you to add custom locations to balance your storage load.
Adding New Install Locations
To change where new games download, launch the Epic Games Launcher and click on your profile icon in the top right corner. Navigate to "Settings," then locate the "Downloads" section. Here, you will see an option to "Add" a new location. Click this, browse to your external hard drive or secondary SSD, and select a folder. Future installations will now default to this new path, keeping your main drive uncluttered.
Verifying Integrity and Troubleshooting Paths
If a game fails to launch or files appear corrupted, verifying the installation can fix the issue without requiring a full redownload. This process checks the local files against Epic’s servers and repairs any discrepancies.
