Do i have to install visual studio 2017?

I am trying to make my first game on unreal engine 4 using c++ and it is asking me to download visual studio 2017 which is 3.44 gb, do I have to? is there an easier alternative or a way around this?

P.S.
I have been programming on c++ using turbo and it compiles just fine

Not necessary but you can download visual studio 2017, witch is free, on microsoft website.