OpenAI’s GPT-4o is a powerful language model that combines the ability to understand and process audio, images, and text all in one system. In this post, we are going to see how you can use OpenAI GPT-4o on a Windows PC. There are various methods to use OpenAI O4; we can use the Internet version, the desktop version, or integrate it into our project using the API. We will talk about all the options in this guide.
What is OpenAI GPT-4o?
OpenAI’s GPT-4o, short for “omni,” is a major advancement in artificial intelligence. Unlike its predecessor, GPT-4 Turbo, which primarily handled text, GPT-4o is a truly multimodal model. This means it can natively understand, process, and generate text, audio, and visual data simultaneously. Breaking free from text-only limitations, it enables far more natural and intuitive interactions between humans and AI.
Beyond its capabilities, GPT-4o offers significant practical advantages. It operates with faster response times and is 50% cheaper to use via the OpenAI API compared to GPT-4 Turbo. It also sets new standards in understanding both audio (like speech and sounds) and vision (like images and videos), outperforming previous models in these areas.
Developers can integrate GPT-4o into applications using the OpenAI API, unlocking a wide range of use cases. Its multimodal nature allows for tasks like generating text content or code, summarizing information, transcribing audio, translating languages in real-time, analyzing images, creating virtual assistants, aiding accessibility for the visually impaired, and even blending modalities for immersive experiences like roleplay scenarios. This versatility makes GPT-4o a powerful tool for building smarter, more interactive applications.
How to use OpenAI GPT-4o on Windows PC
To use OpenAI GPT-4o on a Windows 11/10 computer, you can follow either of the following methods, depending on your use.
- From the OpenAI Website
- From the ChatGPT for Windows
- From OpenAI API
Let us talk about them in detail.
1] From the OpenAI Website
First of all, let us try using the OpenAI Website to access GPT-4o. Do keep in mind that a ChatGPT Plus subscription is needed to use GPT-4o; this starts at $20 a month.
To do so, you need to follow the steps mentioned below.
- Open the ChatGPT chatbot from chatgpt.com.
- You then have to click on the drop-down menu from the top-left section of the screen and select GPT-4o.
- This way, you have selected the GPT-4o model.
Finally, you can start using the model.
2] From the ChatGPT for Windows
OpenAI has developed an application for Windows that allows you to run ChatGPT. After the latest updates, the app can run the GPT-4o model, given the fact that you have the necessary subscriptions. You can download ChatGPT for Windows from openai.com (you can download the app for iOS, Android, or macOS from the given hyperlink) or the Microsoft Store. Once downloaded, you can follow the steps mentioned earlier for the web version.
3] From OpenAI API
If you are a programmer, you might want to know how to use GPT-4o using the OpenAI API. To use the API, we need an API key. For that, follow the steps mentioned below.
- Go to platform.openai.com.
- Then, in the search bar, type “API Key” and click on the pop-up.
- You will be asked to log in or sign up. Do that, and you will be redirected to the API Keys screen.
- Click on Create new secret key.
- Enter the Name and Project, then click on Create secret key.
- An API key will be created, which you need to copy and keep safe.
Now, we need to install OpenAI on our system. For that, run the following command.
pip install openai
In your project, you can import OpenAI using the following lines of code.
from openai import OpenAI client = OpenAI(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY") # Replace with your key
To transcribe audio, use the code mentioned below.
transcription = client.audio.transcriptions.create(
model="whisper-1", # Uses Whisper model for transcription
file=open("audio.mp3", "rb") # Path to your audio file
)
transcribed_text = transcription.text
Once transcribed, run the code given below to summarise it.
summary = client.chat.completions.create(
model="gpt-4o",
messages=[
{"role": "system", "content": "Summarize this transcript in Markdown"},
{"role": "user", "content": transcribed_text}
],
temperature=0
)
print(summary.choices[0].message.content)
For Video Processing or Image Analysis, use the code mentioned below; you can encode images or use URLs.
import base64 # Option 1: Local image (encode as base64) def encode_image(image_path): with open(image_path, "rb") as file: return base64.b64encode(file.read()).decode("utf-8") base64_image = encode_image("image.jpg") # Option 2: Public image URL image_url = "https://example.com/image.png"
To analyze the image, run the following lines of code.
response = client.chat.completions.create(
model="gpt-4o",
messages=[
{"role": "system", "content": "Analyze the image"},
{"role": "user", "content": [
{"type": "text", "text": "What's in this image?"},
# EITHER use base64:
{"type": "image_url", "image_url": {"url": f"data:image/jpeg;base64,{base64_image}"}},
# OR use a public URL:
{"type": "image_url", "image_url": {"url": image_url}}
]}
],
temperature=0
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)
GPT-4o doesn’t directly process audio yet. Use Whisper for transcription, and GPT-4o is used for text tasks. Base64 is used for local files and direct URLs for online images.
Read: Things you can do with ChatGPT
Is there a ChatGPT desktop app for Windows?
Yes, there is an official ChatGPT desktop app for Windows. It’s free to download and install from OpenAI’s website or Microsoft Store. You can quickly open it with the Alt + Space shortcut. The app supports voice conversations, image analysis, and file uploads.
Read: How to Use Qwen AI API for free
Is ChatGPT 4o free?
Yes, ChatGPT 4o is free to use with some restrictions. Free users get limited access to GPT-4o (e.g., a capped number of messages per hour) before switching to older models like GPT-3.5. For full access—unlimited messages, faster responses, and advanced features like voice/image tools—you need a paid subscription (ChatGPT Plus, Pro, or Team). Some third-party tools also offer limited free GPT-4o access, but OpenAI’s official free tier lets you try it without paying.
Also Read: Use turn Text into Code using Codex CLI.
