Sunshine for PC — Free Download & Install on Windows 10/11

Do you want to stream games from your PC to other devices without being locked to one graphics brand? This sunshine download for pc guide shows you how to get the free, open-source stream host on Windows, how to install it on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and how to pair it with Moonlight. In addition, it turns your gaming PC into a stream server for your whole home.

What Is Sunshine?

Sunshine is a free, open-source game-stream host for Windows, made by the LizardByte team. It captures your PC’s screen and sends it to Moonlight clients on other devices, while gamepad, mouse, and keyboard input travel back. Unlike brand-locked tools, it works with NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel graphics.

For example, gamers run Sunshine on the PC that holds their games, then play from a laptop, TV box, or handheld in another room. Moreover, the host keeps doing the heavy rendering, so the client can be a modest device. Furthermore, Sunshine also supports HDR, high frame rates, and multiple clients on a local network. Also, users can tune bitrate, resolution, and frame rate in the web settings to match their network, and they can wake a sleeping host with Wake-on-LAN when the network card supports it.

Key Features for Sunshine Download for PC

Works with any GPU: stream with NVIDIA NVENC, AMD AMF, or Intel Quick Sync hardware encoding.
Moonlight compatible: pairs with Moonlight clients on PCs, phones, tablets, and TVs.
HDR and high frame rates: stream sharp HDR video at high frame rates on supported hardware.
Web-based setup: manage Sunshine from a browser page on the host PC itself.
Multiple apps and games: add games and desktop apps to the stream list for clients.
Open source and free: no account, no subscription, and full code available to inspect.
Low-latency design: hardware encoding keeps delay low for responsive gameplay.

System Requirements for Sunshine Download for PC

Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit edition.
Graphics: a GPU with hardware encoding: NVENC, AMF, or Quick Sync.
Processor: a modern multi-core CPU for encoding and game playback.
Memory: at least 8 GB of RAM for gaming plus streaming.
Network: a fast home network; wired Ethernet gives the most stable stream.

Sunshine Download for PC: Official Method

Always get the program from the official source so you receive the genuine, untouched software. Follow these steps:

Open your browser and go to the Download Sunshine from the official website.
On the LizardByte Sunshine page, open the download section for Windows.
Pick the Windows installer for your system and save the file.
Wait for the download to finish before you run the installer.

However, avoid third-party download sites that bundle extra software. The official website above is the only source you need.

Overall, the whole sunshine download for pc process usually takes only a few minutes on a normal broadband connection. Once the file is saved on your computer, you can install it whenever you are ready.

Step-by-Step Installation

Double-click the downloaded Sunshine installer to start setup.
If Windows asks for permission, click Yes to allow the installer.
Accept the licence terms when they appear on screen.
Choose the install location, or keep the default folder.
Click Install and wait for the files to copy.
Allow Sunshine through Windows Firewall if a prompt appears.
Set a username and password for the web setup page when asked.
Click Finish, then open the Sunshine web page to finish setup.

How to Pair Sunshine with Moonlight

First, pairing Sunshine with Moonlight is quick once both apps are installed. Open the web setup, add your games, then pair from the client. If you have just completed the sunshine download for pc and installation above, you are ready to begin.

Open the Sunshine web page on the host PC and sign in.
Go to the Applications section and check your games are listed.
Add any missing game by entering its name and program path.
Make sure the host PC and client device share the same network.
Open Moonlight on the client and select the host PC.
Type the PIN shown by Moonlight into Sunshine’s pairing prompt.
Pick a game in Moonlight and start the stream.
End the stream from Moonlight when you finish playing.

Is Sunshine Free? The Price Explained

In short, Sunshine is completely free and open source. LizardByte provides it at no cost, with no paid tier and no locked features. Donations support development, but nothing in the program requires payment. Also, you only need a Windows PC with a supported GPU to host streams. There is no trial clock on this sunshine download for pc, and no feature that stops working after a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sunshine free?
Yes. Sunshine is free and open source, with no paid version.

Do I need an NVIDIA GPU for Sunshine?
No. Sunshine works with NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel hardware encoding.

What client do I use with Sunshine?
Moonlight is the matching client, available for Windows and many other devices.

Does Sunshine work on Windows 11?
Yes. Sunshine supports 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Is Sunshine safe to use?
Yes, when downloaded from the official LizardByte page and used on your own network.

Conclusion: Sunshine Download for PC

In summary, Sunshine frees your game library from a single room and a single GPU brand. With open-source code, HDR support, and Moonlight pairing, it is a strong host for home game streaming. It also pairs well with a wired connection, which keeps streams stable during long sessions. Therefore, install it from the official page, pair a client, and play anywhere in your home. For a safe sunshine download for pc, stick to the official link in this guide and ignore mirror sites that bundle extras.

Sunshine for PC: How to Download & Install on Windows