In the last few years, we have seen a huge surge in the popularity of Virtual Reality, and now it’s more popular than ever. If you are also interested in Virtual Reality and want to know how to set up your Computer for Virtual Reality, this guide is for you. In this guide, we will outline the various requirements you need to fulfill to make your Computer ready for Virtual Reality. Let’s get started.

Step 1: Pick the VR System of your Choice

The first step is to pick the VR System of your choice. There are many great options available such as Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index VR Kit, Windows Mixed Reality, etc.

If you are looking for a simple option, then we would recommend Windows Mixed Reality as it comes with a simple setup, and it’s also convenient to move from one location to another. Also, it doesn’t require the external base stations as it uses the inside-out tracking with headset tracking the controllers.

On the other hand, VR Systems such as Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and others come with complex setup. However, these systems also offer a more immersive VR experience. So, at the end of the day, you will have to decide which type of setup you want. In our opinion, the VR Systems such as Oculus Rift and HTC Vive offers better VR Experience, and if you want the best VR Experience, you should go for these options.

Step 2: Make sure that your Computer has recommended Specifications

The second step in setting up your Computer for Virtual Reality is to ensure that you have the recommended hardware on your PC. If you want to enjoy Virtual Reality, you will need the Windows Computer because it’s mainly limited to the Windows platform, and there’s not much support for Mac at the time of writing this guide.

So, if you want the better VR Experience, it’s important that your Computer have the hardware which can support it. Now when it comes to VR, the requirements for hardware changes from platform to platform. There are two ways to find out if your PC is capable of running your desired VR system or Not.

The first and easiest way is to check the minimum requirements for the VR System. We have a complete guide where we have shared the minimum and requirement for popular VR Systems. You can use that guide to know if your PC has the right hardware or not.

The second way is to run the compatibility test. The VR System runs the compatibility test when you start the setup process. We recommend that the first method, and you should check our guide first to check minimum specifications and ensure that your PC meets the minimum specification for your desired VR System.

Step 2: Make sure that your Windows is up to date

Once you have confirmed that your PC meets the minimum specification requirement, the next step is to ensure that your PC has the updated Windows. The OS requirement for VR System changes from System to System, but most VR Systems works well with Windows 10.

However, some systems require a specific edition to properly work. For example, Windows mixed reality Headsets need the “Windows 10 Fall Creator” Update for working. So, consult our specification guide to find the OS requirement for your System and then update your Windows OS.

Step 4: Designate the Space for Virtual Reality Experience

The beauty of Virtual Reality Technology is that it allows you to have an immersive experience without leaving your living room. However, it also comes with some safety challenges.

So, make sure that you have enough room so that nobody gets hurt. Oculus recommends a minimum of 3 feet by 3 feet square space so that you could enjoy the VR without any obstruction. However, we recommend that you have at least 7 feet by 5 feet space to ensure that you don’t get hurt by objects around you.

You might also need to add some foam padding on the floor for additional safety for some VR experience. You will also need to dedicate some space for tracking stations and electrical outlets for powering all the equipment.

Conclusion

That’s all, folks. These are the 4 steps that you can use to set up your Computer for Virtual Reality. All of these steps are equally important but make sure you pick the right Virtual Reality System and make sure that your Computer should have the right hardware to support your VR Experience. If you are not sure about which Virtual Reality Headset is best for you, make sure to check our guide, “What are the Best Virtual Reality Headsets.” If you have any questions, please let us know in the comment section below. Also, check our website for more useful VR Guides.