Install OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) on Windows

System requirements

1. OS: Windows 10 or later.
2. CPU: an Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or better.
3. Memory: 8 GB of RAM.
4. Graphics: integrated graphics or a GPU that supports OpenGL 3.3 or better.

Download OBS

Go to the official OBS Project website (obsproject.com) and choose Windows.

There are different downloads:

• Installer. The best choice for most people.
• Zip file. Gives you more control (a portable install).
• BitTorrent file. Downloads the installer through torrent.

Install OBS

With the installer

1. Double-click the downloaded .exe file.

   

2. Click Next in the wizard.

   

3. Keep the default install folder, or choose another one.

   

4. Click Install, then Finish.

With the zip file

1. Extract the zip file to a folder of your choice.
2. Open the folder and double-click obs64.exe (in bin\64bit).

First start

OBS starts the Auto-Configuration Wizard. Choose what you mostly do: Optimize for streaming or Optimize only for recording. The wizard tests your system and sets the base values.

Check or change the settings under Settings:

• Audio. Choose your microphone and the desktop sound device.

  

• Video. Set the base (canvas) resolution and the output resolution, and the FPS (frames per second).

  

• Stream. Choose a service (YouTube, Twitch or a custom server) and enter the stream key.

  

Set up a scene

1. In the Scenes box, add a scene.
2. In Sources, click + and add a Display Capture (your screen), Window Capture or Video Capture Device (webcam).
3. Click Start Recording to save a video, or Start Streaming to go live.

   

Tips

• Use a hardware encoder (NVENC, AMF or QuickSync) if your PC has one, to save CPU.
• Test a short recording before an important stream.
• Keep the stream key private.

Quick recap

• Download the installer from obsproject.com.
• Run the auto-configuration wizard.
• Add sources and click Start Recording or Start Streaming.