Gaming · Guide
How to Set Up the New Epic Games Launcher Preview: Step-by-Step Guide
Published:
In brief
To try Epic's rebuilt launcher, download the preview from launcher.epicgames.com for Windows, macOS or Linux, then sign in with your existing account — your library and progress carry over automatically. Epic says the new client is faster and lighter than before, but recommends Fortnite and Rocket League players stay on the original launcher until those features catch up.
Epic Games released a preview version of a rebuilt Epic Games Launcher in October 2026, available for Windows and macOS and, for the first time, Linux. The company describes it as a lighter, faster alternative to the current full-featured launcher.
What's new about this version
Epic's team characterized the build with a simple comparison: "Think of it as a speedboat and not a yacht!" meaning it ships with core features first rather than full functionality from day one, according to Thurrott.com.
Epic also said it used artificial intelligence to help write the launcher's code, calling the project "vibe coded." The company's announcement read: "Programming is hard. So, instead of doing that, we vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher that's way faster...", as reported by Dexerto. Epic did not disclose which specific AI tools were used.
Step-by-step setup
- Go to launcher.epicgames.com and download the preview build for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux), per Thurrott.com.
- If you're on Linux, check distro support first: the preview is officially supported on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later, Fedora 43 or later, and Debian 12 or later; other distributions may run it unofficially, according to GamingOnLinux.
- Install the client and sign in with your existing Epic Games account — your library and progress transfer automatically, Dexerto reports.
- If you play Fortnite or Rocket League, keep your original Epic Games Launcher installed as well. Epic recommends those players continue using the original launcher since some features for those titles are still in development, per Dexerto.
Key features to try
- A redesigned library with switchable grid and list views, plus collections alongside your game list (Thurrott.com).
- A customizable top bar for pinning favorite games and apps (Thurrott.com).
- Dedicated per-game pages showing status, activity, details and play controls (Thurrott.com).
- An expanded download manager showing read/write speeds and the status of active, queued and failed downloads (Thurrott.com).
- Cross-app party and voice chat spanning Fortnite, the Epic Games Store and the Epic Games app (Thurrott.com).
- A shopping cart for buying multiple titles in one checkout (Thurrott.com).
Performance claims and Linux specifics
| Metric | New Epic Launcher | Steam |
|---|---|---|
| Cold start to store page | 5.47 seconds | 10.07 seconds |
| Library restoration time | 0.36 seconds | 0.42 seconds |
Epic says the gap on the cold-start test amounts to roughly 46% faster loading than Steam, according to Dexerto's report on the company's figures. These are Epic's own test results; independent benchmarks were not cited by the sources reviewed.
On Linux, Epic is rebuilding Easy Anti-Cheat as version 2, using signed kernel, signed kernel modules and secure boot with attestation to bring protection closer to parity with Windows, GamingOnLinux reported. Fortnite is planned to come to Linux through this system, though it is not yet available there. Steam Deck is not currently supported because it lacks the security features EAC v2 requires, though GamingOnLinux reported that Valve and Epic are discussing future support.
Should you switch now
The preview does not yet match the original launcher's full feature set. Epic has not announced an official release date for the rebuilt launcher and says more features will roll out during the preview phase, according to Dexerto.
Questions
- Where do I download the new Epic Games Launcher preview?
- Download it directly from launcher.epicgames.com for Windows, macOS or Linux, according to Dexerto.
- Which Linux distributions does the preview officially support?
- Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later, Fedora 43 or later, and Debian 12 or later are officially supported; other distributions may run it without official support, per GamingOnLinux.
- Can I play Fortnite or Rocket League on the new launcher?
- Epic recommends keeping the original Epic Games Launcher for Fortnite and Rocket League for now, since related features in the new preview are still being finished, Dexerto reported. Fortnite is planned to come to Linux but is not yet available there.
- What does Epic mean by "vibe coded"?
- It's Epic's own term for building the launcher partly with AI tools writing code, as stated in the company's announcement quoted by Dexerto.
- Does the new launcher work on Steam Deck?
- Not yet — GamingOnLinux reported that Steam Deck currently lacks the security features required by the rebuilt Easy Anti-Cheat system, though Valve and Epic are said to be discussing future support.
Sources
This piece was prepared with artificial intelligence and passed an automated source check before publication. If you see an error, ask for a correction. Request a correction or reply · How we make this
Related
GamingNews
Jeff Kaplan Details His Shift From Overwatch Director to Indie Developer
Jeff Kaplan, who directed Overwatch at Blizzard for years, left the company in April 2021 after leadership pressure tied to the Overwatch League's financial downturn, according to his own account. Five years later he resurfaced to reveal his independent studio, Kintsugiyama, and its debut title, The Legend of California, headed for Steam early access in 2026.
GamingGuide
How to Pick the Right Board Game for Family Game Night
Choosing a board game for family game night comes down to four checks: who is playing, how many players, how much time you have, and how complex the rules are. Matching those four factors to the numbers printed on the box — and to a game's "weight" rating — is the simplest way to avoid a game that flops.
GamingArticle
How Battle Passes, Cosmetic Skins and In-Game Currencies Actually Work
A battle pass is a season-long reward track, paid or free, that pays out mostly cosmetic items as players complete challenges — a model pioneered by Dota 2 in 2013 and popularized by Fortnite in 2018. Helldivers 2's new "Scope of Authority" Premium Warbond, launching October 20, 2026, shows how modern games split this into two currencies: one to unlock a reward page, another to buy what's on it.
GamingNews
GTA 6 PC release reportedly targets Q1 2027, just months after console launch
A new industry report says the PC version of Grand Theft Auto 6 could arrive in the first quarter of 2027, only two to four months after the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S launch on November 19, 2026. Rockstar Games has not confirmed a PC release date, and the report is based on four anonymous industry sources.