With the release of the latest Epic Games Launcher, comes a new workaround for this issue. NOTE: This workaround only applies to issues with the launcher prerequisites installer(LauncherPrereqSetup_x86.exe or LauncherPrereqSetup_x64.exe). If you are having problems installing prerequisites for engines or other products, this is not the thread for you.
- Manually download and install DirectX from here:
- Install [Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86)][2]. On 64bit Windows also install [Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x64)][3]
- Install [Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012][4]. On 32bit Windows install vcredist_x86.exe. On 64bit Windows install both vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe.
- Install [Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013][5]. On 32bit Windows install vcredist_x86.exe. On 64bit Windows install both vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe.
- Install the latest Launcher and if you encounter Error R-1603 hit OK
- Right click on your Epic Games Launcher desktop shortcut and select Properties. Under the Shortcuts tab, find the Target field and add this to the end of it(pictured below): -SkipBuildPatchPrereq
- Double click the desktop shortcut.
- As soon as you are able to get into the launcher after self update completes, close it and remove the -SkipBuildPatchPrereq flag from your shortcut. Startup the launcher again.