OBS Studio Download for Windows

Last updated: September 1, 2026

OBS Studio is a free, open source program for recording your desktop and broadcasting live video. This page explains what the Windows download includes, where the file actually comes from and how to get from the installer to your first recording.

Download OBS Studio for Windows

The Windows build of OBS Studio is published by the OBS Project and hosted on the project's own content delivery network. Use the button below and the file is fetched straight from that server — nothing is re-hosted here.

Download OBS Studio for WindowsHosted by the OBS Project · Windows 10 and 11

Two Windows packages are offered on that page: a normal installer and a portable ZIP archive. The installer registers OBS Studio with Windows, adds Start menu entries and handles updates. The ZIP is useful when you cannot install software on a machine, for example on a locked-down work PC, or when you want to keep several versions side by side on an external drive.

This site is an independent resource about Open Broadcaster Software. It is not operated by the OBS Project, and every download link points at the project's own servers so you can see exactly where the file is coming from before you click.

What you get after installing

The installation is a single application, not a bundle. When you launch it for the first time an auto-configuration wizard asks whether you mainly want to stream or to record, checks your hardware and proposes a starting resolution, frame rate and encoder.

A scene-based editor where each scene holds any number of sources: display capture, window capture, game capture, webcams, capture cards, images, browser pages and text.
An audio mixer with per-source filters such as noise gate, noise suppression, compressor and gain, plus VST plugin support.
Recording to MKV, MP4, MOV, FLV and TS, with hardware encoding on NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPUs.
Streaming output for Twitch, YouTube Live, Kick, Facebook and any service that accepts RTMP or WHIP.
A plugin and scripting API for Lua and Python.

There is no watermark, no time limit, no account requirement and no paid tier. The program is distributed under the GPLv2 license.

Windows compatibility

Current releases support Windows 10 and Windows 11 on 64-bit hardware. Older Windows versions are no longer supported by the current branch; archived builds remain available from the project's release history if you maintain a legacy machine.

Full details, including GPU and DirectX expectations, are listed on the OBS Studio system requirements page.

After the download: first steps

Run the installer and accept the default location unless you have a reason to change it.
Start OBS Studio and let the auto-configuration wizard run.
Add a source — Display Capture for the whole desktop, Window Capture for one program, Game Capture for full-screen games.
Check the audio meters, then press Start Recording for a short test clip.
Open the clip in a player before you rely on the setup for anything important.

The full walkthrough with screenshots of each dialog lives on the OBS setup guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is the OBS Studio download free?

Yes. OBS Studio is open source software released under the GPLv2 license. There is no purchase, subscription, trial period or watermark.

Where does the download file come from?

The installer is served from the OBS Project's own distribution network. This site links to it directly and does not mirror or repackage the file.

Which file should I choose on Windows?

Most people want the standard installer. Pick the ZIP archive only if you need a portable copy that runs without installing anything.

Do I need an account to use OBS Studio?

No. You only sign in to a streaming service, and only when you are ready to go live.

Is OBS Studio safe to install?

The build published by the OBS Project is signed and widely used. Risk comes from third-party mirrors, so always start from the project's own download page.