how to change unreal engine install location

Guri Bee

2 min read

·

18-10-2024

5

0

Share

Moving Your Unreal Engine Installation: A Comprehensive Guide

Unreal Engine, the powerful game development platform, offers immense creative potential. However, its default installation location might not always be ideal. Whether you're dealing with limited disk space, seeking better organization, or simply prefer a different location, this guide will walk you through the process of changing your Unreal Engine installation directory.

The Problem with the Default Location:

The default installation location for Unreal Engine is usually in your system's "Program Files" folder. This can lead to:

• Limited Disk Space: The "Program Files" folder might be on a smaller drive, leaving you with insufficient space for your projects and assets.
• Organization Challenges: Keeping everything related to Unreal Engine in one dedicated folder can improve project management and workflow.
• Permissions Restrictions: Installing in "Program Files" often requires administrator privileges, which can be inconvenient for some users.

Changing the Installation Location

Luckily, changing the installation location during setup is a straightforward process:

Step 1: Download the Unreal Engine Installer:

• Head over to the Epic Games website and download the latest Unreal Engine installer.

Step 2: Launch the Installer:

• Once downloaded, run the installer executable file.

Step 3: Select "Custom Install":

• During the installation process, you'll encounter a screen titled "Choose Installation Location." Select "Custom Install."

Step 4: Choose Your Desired Location:

• Click the "Browse" button and navigate to the folder where you wish to install Unreal Engine. This can be a dedicated folder on your primary drive or an external hard drive.

Step 5: Complete the Installation:

• Once you've chosen your desired location, click "Install." The installer will proceed with the installation process, placing all the necessary files in the selected directory.

Important Considerations:

• Permissions: Ensure you have write access to the chosen location. If you're installing on a network drive or an external hard drive, make sure it's properly connected and accessible.
• Project Location: While you can move the Unreal Engine installation, it's usually recommended to keep your projects in a separate location, preferably within the same drive. This will help with project management and prevent potential issues with file paths.

Extra Tips for Enhanced Workflow:

• Dedicated Drive: If you have a spare drive, consider dedicating it to your game development work. This can significantly improve performance and reduce the risk of storage conflicts with other applications.
• Symlinks (Symbolic Links): Advanced users can create symbolic links (symlinks) to point to the new installation location, enabling you to keep your existing projects working without having to move them.

Example Scenario:

Let's say you have a dedicated "Games" folder on your D: drive. You would choose this folder during the custom installation process. This will install Unreal Engine to "D:\Games\UnrealEngine," creating a clean and well-organized environment for your development projects.

By following these steps and considering these points, you can confidently change the location of your Unreal Engine installation, optimizing your setup for maximum efficiency and convenience.