Fortnite is distributed through the Epic Games app, not Steam. Only download it from the official Epic Games website — search results occasionally surface fake “Fortnite installer” sites that are not affiliated with Epic.

Step 1: Download the Epic Games app

Go to the official Epic Games website and download the Epic Games launcher. This is a separate app from Fortnite itself — it’s the platform you’ll use to install and update the game.

Step 2: Create or sign in to an Epic account

Sign in with an existing Epic Games account, or create a free one. If you’ve played Fortnite on console or mobile before, use that same account to keep your cosmetics and progress.

Step 3: Install Fortnite

In the Epic Games app, search for Fortnite and click Get, then Install. Choose an install location with at least 30 GB free — an SSD will noticeably reduce loading screen times compared to a hard drive.

Step 4: First-launch checks

  • Fortnite will prompt you to select a region — pick the one closest to you for the best ping.
  • On first launch, check the in-game video settings match your monitor’s native resolution.
  • If you plan to play competitively, Performance Mode (a simplified rendering mode) can significantly boost FPS on lower-end hardware at the cost of some visual fidelity.

If the installer gets stuck or fails

  1. Pause and resume the download — this resolves a large share of stalled downloads.
  2. Verify the game files: right-click Fortnite in your Epic library → Manage → Verify.
  3. Temporarily disable antivirus/firewall software during installation only — some security software incorrectly flags the anti-cheat component during first install.
  4. Make sure Windows is fully updated; Fortnite’s anti-cheat has minimum OS build requirements.

After you’re in

Fortnite’s fast movement and building mechanics reward a mouse with a reliable, low-latency sensor — see our Best Gaming Mouse guide if you’re shopping for one.