Is it true I need Windows 10 for a Stream PC?

[VincentVolaju]

I recently started streaming a couple weeks ago on my PS4 Pro. I've really been enjoying and am currently considering getting a Streaming PC so I can boost the quality of the stream a bit in regards to pixelation when moving, and overlays with bells and whistles etc. While researching a bit about streaming PCs, I heard that you need to have Windows 10 if you plan to stream.

 

I was just wondering if that's true or not, and if so, why? Is Windows 7 Home 64bit not good enough or something? Whats the difference?

 

Thank you!

[myselfolli]

I don't think you need a win10 PC for streaming, but I'd recommend getting one either way, since win7 has just about reached it's EOL, so you'll only be enjoying it for about a year before you'd have to upgrade anyways...

[skunkmunkey]

If you look at the Steam hardware survey it shows the breakdown of OS types used by Steam users;

 

Whilst the majority are Win10, there are still plenty of people using other versions. As per the above though, you're better off getting Win10 due to the ongoing support and updates (ignoring the possible complications that come with Win 10 updates haha).

[Neftex]

no you dont need windows 10.

[VincentVolaju]

So then there's no actual benefit from using Windows 10 vs Windows 7 when it comes to streaming? Like theres no hidden caps or things of that sort? I'm just trying to understand why some people have said Windows 10 was a must? I don't understand much about streaming and what not yet.

[captain_aggravated]

Are you planning to stream games, or just a video feed?

[NinJake]

3 hours ago, VincentVolaju said:

So then there's no actual benefit from using Windows 10 vs Windows 7 when it comes to streaming? Like theres no hidden caps or things of that sort? I'm just trying to understand why some people have said Windows 10 was a must? I don't understand much about streaming and what not yet.

You will have greater support and compatibility using Windows 10. It's not a must, just a smart decision for the long-term.

[BLLDoesTech]

Windows 10 is going to give you more future provability and like the answer above, you get support and compatibility

what you could do is  start with 7 and upgrade to 10 later

[VincentVolaju]

52 minutes ago, BLLDoesTech said:

Windows 10 is going to give you more future provability and like the answer above, you get support and compatibility

what you could do is  start with 7 and upgrade to 10 later

I remember a while ago a friend said he was able to upgrade his windows from 8, to 10 for free. Is it still possible to do that? I have a Lenovo laptop with Windows 8.1 on it. Is it possible to upgrade that to Windows 10 for free somehow?

[BLLDoesTech]

12 minutes ago, VincentVolaju said:

I remember a while ago a friend said he was able to upgrade his windows from 8, to 10 for free. Is it still possible to do that? I have a Lenovo laptop with Windows 8.1 on it. Is it possible to upgrade that to Windows 10 for free somehow?

yes as long as it is an official copy

[VincentVolaju]

2 minutes ago, BLLDoesTech said:

yes as long as it is an official copy

I believe it is, it came with Windows 8.1 already installed on the laptop. However, I don't have a windows CD or anything like that to reformat with. In fact, I don't even think this laptop has a CD drive.

 

In Control Panel > System, at the bottom it says "Windows is activated" and under that there is a Product ID #. I'm guessing that's my windows key, so I'm assuming that means its an official copy, yea?

[BLLDoesTech]

yep its official

[VincentVolaju]

10 minutes ago, BLLDoesTech said:

yep its official

Awesome, thank you. I just YouTubed real quick to see how to do it. It seems like you download something called a media creation tool, then just follow the steps / next to complete the upgrade. Is this the correct way I should do it?

 

If so, during the installation process it prompts you to choose if you want to save files or not. If I chose the "Nothing" option, would that be the same thing as doing a factory reset / format on this laptop? Or, should I first reformat this laptop, then upgrade to Windows 10 after I've reformated?

[BLLDoesTech]

you have the right way 

No matter what upgrade you do, it will delete installed applications

If you choose to save files it will keep personal documents only (downloads videos pictures) if not, they will be deleted

[Crunchy Dragon]

Windows 10 is by no means required to stream, I could use my Win7 laptop as an encoding system for my streams if I wanted to.

 

Windows 10 is recommended due to being a little nicer to use and because Windows 7 is officially EOL. In all honesty, as long as the operating system supports the hardware and software you're streaming with, it truly does not matter what OS you're running on a streaming PC.

[VincentVolaju]

Awesome, thanks for all the info guys! I think I'll upgrade to Windows 10 since there doesn't seem to be any downsides and also because I don't have to pay for it. ty!