What does launcher mean on my computer?

Hey friend! If you‘re someone who enjoys gaming on the PC, then you‘ve probably heard about "game launchers". Launchers are handy little programs that help you organize, update and play your games. They can seem confusing at first, but don‘t worry – I‘ll explain everything you need to know in this guide!

Specifically, we‘ll be focusing on the Epic Games Launcher that you need to play the insanely popular game Fortnite on desktop.

Launchers – Your Gateway to PC Gaming

On consoles like PlayStations and Xbox, gaming is simple – you just put in a disc or download a game and start playing. But PC gaming is a bit different – you need a launcher to handle all your games in one place.

Some examples of popular gaming launchers:

• Steam – For accessing Steam games and community features.

• Origin – For playing EA games like Battlefield, The Sims etc.

• Epic Games Launcher – For Fortnite and other Epic titles.

• Blizzard App – For games like World of Warcraft, Overwatch etc.

These launchers all let you do similar core functions:

• Browse and purchase games from their respective stores
• Download, install and update games in one place
• Organize your game library and see all your titles
• Chat with gaming friends across different titles
• Customize and access game-specific features and content

So in a nutshell, launchers are an all-in-one hub for your gaming life on a PC!

Understanding the Epic Games Launcher

Now let‘s focus on the Epic Games Launcher. This launcher gives you access to Epic‘s storefront and more importantly, Fortnite!

With over 350 million registered players as of May 2020, Fortnite is a global gaming phenomenon. Let‘s look at some interesting stats:

Statistic	Figure
Peak concurrent players	12.3 million
Hours watched on Twitch in 2019	1.1 billion!
iOS revenue in first year	$300 million

This insane popularity is why you need the Epic Games Launcher – to get in on the Fortnite action!

Here are the key features you get with the Epic Launcher:

• Access to the Epic Games Store to browse and download games
• News and updates about latest content in Fortnite
• Chat with your Fortnite friends across platforms
• Anti-cheat security to prevent hacking
• Cloud saves and achievements across games
• Automatic updates and patches for Fortnite

Plus, it‘s totally free to use!

Minimum and Recommended Specs

Before you install the launcher, make sure your PC can actually run Fortnite. Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements:

Component	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	Core i3 2.4 GHz	Core i5 2.8 GHz
GPU	Intel HD 4000	Nvidia GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870
RAM	4 GB	8 GB
Storage	130 GB	130 GB
OS	Windows 7/8/10 64-bit	Windows 10 64-bit

As you can see, Fortnite is quite demanding. Having a graphics card like the GTX 1060 or equivalent AMD card will allow you to comfortably run at 60 FPS on high settings.

My advice – focus on the GPU if you‘re building or upgrading your PC for Fortnite. The game is constantly evolving with new graphics, so get the best GPU you can afford.

Downloading and Setting Up the Launcher

Let‘s get into actually installing the Epic Games Launcher and Fortnite:

1. Head to the Epic Games website on your browser of choice.

2. Click on Download in the top navigation bar.

3. The installer file for the launcher will now start downloading.

4. Once done, double click the file to run the installer.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Epic Games Launcher.

6. Open up the launcher once installation is complete.

7. Search for Fortnite, then click Install to download the game.

The total install size for Fortnite will be around 30-60 GB depending on your platform. Make sure you have fast broadband internet for smooth downloading.

Once finished, you can launch Fortnite anytime straight from the Epic Games Launcher! All your stats, cosmetics and progress will be tied to your Epic account.

Bypassing the Launcher – Does it Work?

You might be wondering – can I just download Fortnite and play it without the launcher?

The answer is yes, but it involves a bit of tinkering:

• You can create a desktop shortcut to launch Fortnite directly, bypassing the launcher.

• Or fully uninstall the Epic Launcher after installing Fortnite – the game will still work.

However, I don‘t recommend doing this. Here‘s why:

• You won‘t get any updates or patches without the launcher.

• You can‘t play online properly or with friends.

• Progress and stats might not save properly.

• No customer support if something goes wrong!

For the best experience, use the standard method of launching Fortnite via the Epic Games Launcher.

Think of it like a gateway you must pass through to access the Fortnite servers and community. Yes, it‘s an extra step – but a very necessary one.

Is the Epic Launcher Safe to Use?

I know what you‘re thinking – is it safe to install yet another program just to play a game?

Rest assured the Epic Games Launcher and Store is perfectly safe to use:

• Epic has never had any major data breaches compromising user data.

• They use robust encryption for your financial details when making purchases.

• Server-side anti-cheat prevents malicious software from running.

Of course, you should still follow standard security practices:

• Use a strong password.

• Enable two-factor authentication.

• Install antivirus software.

• Monitor child accounts if allowing younger players.

As long as you take reasonable precautions, the launcher is safe even for novice users. Millions use it daily with no issues!

Tips for Parents of Young Players

Fortnite does have an age rating of Teen 13+ due to action violence and online chat.

As a parent, you can take steps to make the experience safer for kids:

• Create a child account using your email address to enable parental controls.

• Restrict permissions to disable text/voice chat.

• Set daily time limits to prevent excessive gaming.

• Keep the PC in a communal space to monitor playtime.

• Play alongside your child to engage and understand their hobby.

• Ensure they know how to report abusive players.

With a bit of planning, even younger players can safely enjoy everything Fortnite has to offer. The vibrant world and fun gameplay can help improve coordination, problem solving and teamwork skills.

Launching into the Fortnite Phenomenon

As you can see, launchers play a vital role in organizing and managing your PC games library. Specifically, the Epic Games Launcher is the gateway to the immensely fun and competitive experience of Fortnite.

While it may seem intimidating at first, setting it up is straightforward even for beginners. Before you know it, you‘ll be dropping onto the island and racking up those Victory Royales!

Have more questions about getting started with the Epic Launcher or Fortnite? Feel free to ask – I‘m always happy to help fellow gaming enthusiasts.

Happy launching!