the Epic version of ED must be launched with the epic launcher, although there is a python script arround here and redit that will allow you to launch the game without the epic client the python launcher requires you following a few extra steps to launch the game
If you already have ED installd either under steam or Fdev launcher then the easiest way to run with 1 client is to
rename your orriginal ED install so the install folder is EliteDangerous, if you use steam you must do this using the steam move facility
- copy and backup your Epic version of the game
- Uninstall ED from Epic
- reinstall ED, during the install process select the folder where ED is currently installed - you may recieve an error the folder must be empty, if you do rename the current folder ie add an X to the front of the name - note if your installing to steam you must set the install one level above where ED is, ie C:\progra~1\steam apps\common, c:\progra~1\frontier\ .. you should see the folder otherwise you will see a case of c:....\EliteDangerous\EliteDangerous
- Epic install must run for at least 1%-2% now cancel the install and completly close Epic
- if you had to rename the ED folder, delete the new ED folder and rename the old ED folder back to EliteDangerous - Copy the file from your backup into the current EliteDangerous folder, copying and replacing any files which already exist within the old EliteDagerous folder
- Wait for the copy to complete then restart Epic - restart the install of ED and it should verify the files already installed
if you have 2 or commanders copy EDLaunch.exe and make a copy, rename the copy ie EDLaunch-Toon1.exe use this to launch your non Epic install of ED - create a shortcut if needed. im not aware of any easy way of forcing steam to launch the new EDLaunch-Toon1.exe
afaik Epic will only launch with the EDlaunch.exe
first time you launch each version of ED you will need to reauthenticate your machine the first time you launch ED
if you prefer to launch ED using steam, steam will only launch EDLaunch.exe, in which case you will need to authenticate ED ever time you switch versions, you may find that once you authenticate the Steam version of the game you will get an error authenticating, close the launcher and relaunch and it should work using the last authentication
if you have epic and steam versions you will need to be aware both EPIC and Steam will both insist on updating the game when there are any updates to avoid this launch ED without steam and let epic patch ED
