The Epic Games Launcher is getting a ‘ground-up rebuild’ which will make it boot five times faster

June 19, 2026 - 13:16

Epic Games has announced a major overhaul of its PC launcher, describing it as a "ground-up rebuild" designed to dramatically improve performance. The company says the new version will boot approximately five times faster than the current application, addressing a long-standing complaint from users about sluggish load times.

According to Epic, the current launcher suffers from technical debt and architectural limitations that have made it increasingly difficult to update and optimize. The rebuild is intended to strip away outdated code and streamline the core experience. "Every player we have experiences challenges with the current launcher," the company stated, acknowledging that the software has not kept pace with user expectations for speed and responsiveness.

Beyond faster startup, the overhaul will also focus on reducing memory usage and improving navigation. Epic has not provided a specific release date for the new launcher but confirmed it is currently in active development. The company plans to roll out the update gradually, with early access testing likely before a full public launch.

This move comes as competition among digital storefronts intensifies, with platforms like Steam and GOG continuing to refine their own user interfaces. For Epic, a snappier launcher is seen as a necessary step to retain users who have been frustrated by the current software's performance, especially when launching popular titles like Fortnite or Rocket League. The rebuild signals a commitment to improving the overall ecosystem, even as the company continues to offer free games to attract new users.