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I'm having issues installing the Epic Games Launcher and updating Fortnite on my computer. It is important to note that previously both the Epic Games Launcher and Fortnite worked perfectly, until the moment when the program began to indicate that there were corrupted files.
The installation problem occurs when the desktop shortcut is being created, and the process ends prematurely with the message:
" The epic games launcher setup wizard ended prematurely."
I submitted a ticket to Epic Games, which was answered with several suggested tests, and out of all the alternatives provided in various articles, the only time I was able to install the Epic Games Launcher was by using "msiexec.exe" in Task Manager. This launched the program and started the Fortnite download.
However, the problem after installing through the Task Manager is not that there are corrupted files, but rather that theEpic Online Essentials program doesn't seem to be installing. As a result, Fortnite does not run. The PC has the latest version of .NET Framework 3.5, which shouldn’t cause this issue, but it still occurs.
Methods I have already tried:
I also followed the steps below:
The error that occurs after installing the Epic Games Launcher via msiexec.exe happens during the Fortnite update process. After a few seconds, the following message appears:
Installation failed
Error Code: EOS-ERR-1603
I'm not sure if this is caused by a peripheral on the machine conflicting with something in the Epic Games software. However, since this issue started out of nowhere, it seems quite strange. When I tried to format the computer, it showed that it doesn't have the necessary requirements to run Windows 11, so could this be related to the issue? Does anyone have any ideas to help shed some light on this?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Answer accepted by question author
Hey Shawn,
How's it going? Thanks for checking out my post. I think your theory about Epic installers might be on to something.
But I've got some good news! I found that installing the Epic Games Launcher through the Microsoft Store fixes the errors. Both the installer and the game work fine now.
Answer accepted by question author
Dear Érica Giacometti
I'm glad your issue has been resolved.
Apparently the problem was with the Epic launcher.
You can mark the issue as resolved by clicking “Yes” in the bottom left corner.
I will also mark your reply as an answer.
Happy New Year in advance.
Best Wish
Shawn.Z-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist
Answer accepted by question author
This worked for me, I started having this problem when I tried to Install Unreal Engine, and it tried to install Epic Games Launcher a second time. I tried deleting the folders but it did not worked. Only the microsoft store installation fixed it for me.
Answer accepted by question author
Dear Érica Giacometti
Thank you for posting in the Microsoft community.
I went through the solution steps you tried and it should have included all the official solutions provided by Epic.
You can observe that there are currently 65 users in the community who have flagged that they have the same problem as you.
My guess is that this issue may be due to EPIC updating the logic of some installers. Additional anti-cheat checks were added which prevented many users from installing the EPIC client.
The ultimate need for this issue is for EPIC to investigate this issue and proceed to update the client installer to eventually resolve it.
This usually doesn't take long, so I wouldn't recommend reinstalling your Windows system to resolve this issue either.
Certainly the external device issue you describe does warrant attention.
The EPIC anti-cheat program investigates the driver memory so that cheat programs do not reside there. Therefore some untrusted drivers and external devices may cause the EPIC client to not install correctly. You can temporarily remove your extra external devices and try to install the EPIC client again.
Of course it is also recommended that you visit the EPIC Community to keep up to date with the latest developments on this issue.
Best Wish
Shawn.Z-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist
Answer accepted by question author
Thank you!!!!! This solved the problem, the installer from them is broken.
Am I to understand that Microsoft has made it so you are forced to download it through the store instead of stand alone? Is this the method going forward? Because, that is wrong. Morally wrong.
I should be allowed and capable to download and install any standalone launcher related to gaming without Microsoft cancelling the install prematurely. I do not like the direction Microsoft is going.
It is a shame anti-cheat has not caught up with the times and coded for Linux better. Moves like this, Microsoft, pushes and confirms Linux Gaming is 10 times better than yours.
