This search is almost always about installing the required launcher rather than a standalone game — Ubisoft Connect, the rebranded successor to Uplay, is the free client that handles game installs, updates, DRM activation, and cross-save syncing for every Ubisoft PC title. It's Windows-only and mandatory even if you bought the game through Steam or the Epic Games Store, since Ubisoft titles activate through this layer. It also tracks Ubisoft's own rewards program and cross-play friend lists.
Why You're Forced to Install It Even via Steam
Buying a Ubisoft game on Steam or another storefront doesn't remove the Ubisoft Connect requirement — those platforms only handle the purchase and initial download trigger, while Ubisoft Connect itself performs the actual license activation and DRM check every time you launch. This is why first launches often show a Ubisoft Connect login prompt even from inside Steam.
The upside is that once installed, it also unifies achievements, cloud saves, and Ubisoft Connect reward unlocks like in-game items and discounts across every store version of your Ubisoft games.
Who ends up using Ubisoft Connect
Ubisoft Connect tends to be installed out of necessity by PC gamers who own any Ubisoft title, regardless of which storefront they bought it from.
- PC gamers activating and updating Ubisoft franchises like Assassin's Creed or Far Cry
- Players tracking cross-save progress between PC and console Ubisoft titles
- Reward hunters redeeming Ubisoft Connect points for in-game unlocks and discounts
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about Ubisoft Connect before you request the link: it only ships for Windows, so double-check that's the machine you're installing it on before you request the link. And on pricing, Ubisoft Connect is free to use outright — there's no paid tier hiding behind it, so what you install is the whole app. It's developed and maintained by Ubisoft.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
It's a lightweight tool, so there's no serious CPU/RAM/storage requirement beyond what its OS already needs to run comfortably.
Quick steps
- Download the Ubisoft Connect installer from ubisoft.com
- Install it and sign in with, or create, a free Ubisoft account
- Launch it before starting any Ubisoft game so activation and updates can complete
Ubisoft Connect: the honest trade-offs
- Unifies achievements and cloud saves across Steam, Epic, and standalone purchases
- Free reward points system grants occasional in-game items and discounts
- Overlay provides quick access to friends and stats without leaving the game
- Mandatory background activation adds friction even for Steam or Epic purchases
- Overlay and update checks can add noticeable load time before launch
This links to Ubisoft's own official Ubisoft Connect download page, not a third-party mirror or Steam-bundled copy.
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Keeping Ubisoft Connect up to date
Ubisoft Connect typically checks for updates from inside the app, or you can just re-download the current installer from the official source periodically — reinstalling over the top keeps your settings. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main Ubisoft Connect page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Ubisoft Connect if I already own the game on Steam?
Yes. Steam handles the purchase and files, but Ubisoft Connect still runs in the background to activate and update the game.
Is Ubisoft Connect free even without owning any games?
Yes, the launcher itself is a free download; you only pay for the games you choose to buy through it or another store.
