The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Epic Games Launcher does not have a normal “Locate installed game” or automatic drive-scan feature. If it shows Install for files you already have, Epic’s documented workaround is to start a new installation, pause and fully exit the launcher, copy the existing game files into the new destination, and resume. Epic may then verify and reuse most of the files, although the method is not guaranteed for every game.
Check what Epic is showing first
Make sure you are signed in to the Epic account that owns the game, then open Library and check the button beside the title.
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| Epic shows | What to do |
|---|---|
| Launch | Try launching the game. If it reports a problem, use Manage → Verify. |
| Install | Use the copy-and-resume workaround below. |
| Resume | Check that the expected files are in the selected destination, then resume. |
| LS-0009 | Try verification if available. Epic may require a clean reinstall if the error persists. |
Epic’s Library status depends on its installation information, not simply on whether a large game folder or executable exists on a drive. Reinstalling Windows or the launcher can therefore make an existing installation appear to be missing. Epic explains that previously installed games are not automatically detected in its support documentation.
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Before beginning, record the old folder’s full path, confirm that the drive is connected, and back up the existing game folder if it is difficult or expensive to replace. Do not modify the folder while Epic is downloading.
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1. Start a new installation
- Open Epic Games Launcher.
- Go to Library.
- Select the affected game and click Install.
- Choose the parent drive or installation location where the game should reside.
- Start the installation.
The exact path depends on your launcher settings and the location you choose; there is no universal required folder such as C:Program FilesGame Name. Epic’s general installation instructions are available here.
2. Let Epic create the destination, then pause
Allow the download to begin briefly so Epic creates its expected game directory and starts the installation. Then pause it. Do not rely on an arbitrary number of seconds or megabytes; the required timing can vary.
3. Exit Epic completely
Closing the main window is not enough. Pause the download, close the launcher, then right-click the Epic icon in the Windows notification area and choose Exit. Epic’s detailed procedure specifically requires the launcher to be fully closed before files are copied.
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4. Back up the old folder and handle .egstore
Epic’s documented workaround says to remove the .egstore folder from the old installation before copying the remaining files. This folder contains launcher-related metadata rather than the ordinary game content.
Back up the old folder first. Make sure you are changing the old source copy—not the new destination Epic just created. If you are uncertain, preserve a complete backup and work from a duplicate rather than deleting anything from your only copy.
5. Copy the existing game files
Copy the contents of the old game installation into the new directory Epic selected. The final layout should not accidentally contain a duplicated folder level. For example, if Epic expects:
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D:Epic GamesGame NameGame Name...Copy the complete game data, not just the main .exe. An executable by itself is not a complete installation.
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6. Restart and resume
- Open Epic Games Launcher again.
- Return to Library.
- Resume the installation.
Epic may verify the copied files, quickly advance through the installation, or download a smaller amount of data. It can still download patches, missing files, redistributables, or files that differ from the current build. The workaround may not work for every game.
How to tell whether it worked
Wait until Epic finishes verification and any required download. The desired final state is for the Library button to change to Launch. A successful result does not necessarily mean that the download counter reaches zero: updates and repairs may still be required.
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Afterward, test the game and check any separate publisher launcher, downloadable content, settings, mods, and save files. Reusing the files does not bypass Epic account ownership or licensing requirements.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If Epic still wants to download everything
Verify the installation
If the game appears in your Library but has an error, open its three-dot menu, select Manage, then choose Verify. Epic says verification checks local files and repairs files that are missing, corrupted, or different. Its instructions state that verification does not affect saved data, but backing up important saves is still sensible.
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Check the destination and drive
- Confirm that the copied files are inside the exact directory selected for the new installation.
- Check for an extra nested folder such as
Game NameGame Name. - Make sure the drive is connected and mounted before starting Epic.
- If the drive letter changed, restore the expected letter where possible.
- Ensure there is enough free space for verification, updates, and temporary files.
Remove or isolate modifications
Mods, reshades, custom DLLs, unofficial patches, and other manually changed files can interfere with verification or launch. Epic’s LS-0009 guidance warns that manually moved or modified files may cause the game to be treated as uninstalled.
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Clear the Epic launcher cache
Cache clearing can fix launcher problems, but it does not import game files. On Windows:
- Exit Epic Games Launcher completely.
- Press
Win + R, enter%localappdata%, and press Enter. - Open
EpicGamesLauncherSaved. - Delete available folders or files named
webcache,webcache_4147, orwebcache_4430. - Restart Epic and check the Library again.
The exact cache folders present can vary. Epic also recommends checking for launcher updates through your profile icon and Settings, and checking its server status if the problem may be widespread. See its launcher troubleshooting guide.
What LS-0009 means for this process
If Epic reports LS-0009: Game is not installed:
- If the Library button says Launch, Epic’s guidance is to uninstall and reinstall the game.
- If the button does not say Launch, try Manage → Verify first.
- If the files were manually moved or altered and the error continues, Epic recommends removing the modified files and downloading the game through the launcher.
When a clean reinstall is the better option
Use a full reinstall instead of repeatedly attempting the workaround when:
- the existing folder is incomplete or corrupted;
- the files came from Steam, GOG, Microsoft Store, a publisher launcher, or another platform;
- the installation is heavily modded or contains unclear remnants;
- the game has undergone a major update and most files are outdated;
- the workaround repeatedly starts from zero; or
- the game uses a separate launcher or unusual installation process that Epic cannot repair reliably.
Before uninstalling the launcher or deleting game folders, protect save files and any backup copy. Some saves are stored separately or synchronized through the cloud, but others may be local, including—depending on the game—files inside or near the installation directory.
Important limitations
This procedure is intended for a substantially complete copy of the same game distributed through Epic. Windows files should not be assumed to work as a macOS installation, and files from another store should not be treated as interchangeable with the Epic version. Epic does not present this as a guaranteed import feature, and its support pages currently distinguish between the lack of automatic detection and the documented copy-and-resume workaround.
Avoid registry edits, manifest edits, folder-renaming tricks, or third-party scripts as a first solution. They are not established by the cited Epic guidance as a reliable, generally supported method.
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