What version of directx. A simple way to determine
DirectX is a set of tools that was developed for efficient work multimedia in Microsoft Windows. Roughly speaking, a software component whose task is to “organize” all the hardware elements of the system. Most often used in the process of writing games, since it is responsible for graphics processing. For the system to work correctly, the video card requires reverse hardware support for DirectX..
This component, as well as its executable libraries, are updated during the installation of games. But how can you find out the directx version yourself and update it if necessary?
Which version of DirectX should you have?
Each version of Windows supports its own DirectX:
- For Windows XP this is DX9;
- for Vista – DX10;
- for Win7 and 8/8.1 – DX11.
The release of the new “tenth” version of the OS from Microsoft brought us the new 12th version, which, according to the developers, will finally reveal its full potential multi-core processors, making the CPU-video card combination many times more productive.
Determining Your Version
To find out what exactly you have installed, open Start and find the Run command. This is true for everyone Windows versions, starting with XP.
Enter the phrase, or look for this menu item among the suggested ones. Search is still faster. Press Enter and wait for the collection of statistical data on your system as a whole and its individual components in particular. 
We are interested in the “system” tab. We look at the very bottom and find that 11 is installed DirectX version(example). 
Updating DX Components
If you think that the software version is outdated and the games require a more recent package of executable libraries, update them on the official Microsoft website using the appropriate link (valid for version 11).
Then make sure your video card supports this version BY. If it can only handle DX9 and DX10, no upgrade will work. Hardware support is more important than software support, so keep that in mind.
You can find out about the specifications of the video card on the Internet.
In all operating systems starting from , the above components are already built into the distribution. This means that you do not need to install them separately. Each OS edition has its own maximum version DirectX libraries. For Windows 7 this is DX11.
To increase compatibility, in addition to the newest version, the system contains files from previous editions. Under normal conditions, if the DX components are intact, games written for versions ten and nine will also work. But in order to run a project created for DX12, you will have to install it and nothing else.
Graphics adapter
The video card also influences which version of the components is used in the system. If your adapter is quite old, it may only be able to support DX10 or even DX9. This does not mean that the video card is not capable of functioning normally, but new games that require newer libraries will not run or will produce errors.
Games
Some game projects are designed in such a way that they can use both new and outdated versions. In the settings of such games there is a DirectX edition option.
Conclusion
Based on the above, we conclude that we cannot choose which edition of libraries to use in our operating system; Windows developers and graphics accelerator manufacturers have already done this for us. Attempts to install a new version of components from third-party sites will only lead to a loss of time or even to failures and errors. In order to use the capabilities of the latest DX, you need to change the video card and (or) install a new Windows.
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Became often faced with all sorts of misconceptions on the topic DirectX. For example, users try to install DirectX of some implausible versions, download something incomprehensible from some “left” sites, etc., ultimately getting all sorts of errors in Windows work and games.
I’ll deal with all this in this article, trying to dot all the i’s in the matter of DirectX gaming technology.
What is DirectX
To figure out what is truth and what is fiction, let’s first find out what DirectX is? Wikipedia tells us:
DirectX(from English direct- direct, immediate) is a set of APIs designed to solve problems associated with programming under Microsoft Windows. Most widely used in writing computer games. ...Often updated versions DirectX comes with gaming applications.
More in simple words: DirectX is a “layer” between the video card and games, allowing you to fully realize all the computing power of your computer to render beautiful graphics.
I remember how in 2003 I was happy with the believable reflections in car windows and puddles on the road in the game Need for Speed: Underground, when I installed a video card supporting DirectX 9 into my computer. Of course, the matter is not limited to reflections alone, but first things first.
How do DirectX versions differ?
Technologies are progressing quite quickly. Each a new version DirectX allows programmers to add some new effect into the game, and the old ones - optimized.
I think the most obvious difference between the capabilities of DirectX different versions will show this video:
pay attention to beautiful effects flying snow from under the wheels of a car and soft shadows in DirectX 11 version (left). In principle, effects such as soft shadows and snow from under the wheels can be implemented using DirectX 9 technology, but the drop in performance will be noticeable - in the “nine” there is neither optimization nor competent implementation of such effects.
The second example is the game Crysis 2:
In general, the higher the DirectX version, the more better picture. But you shouldn’t expect a miracle - often the changes are not noticeable. In my opinion, main reason such a small difference in image quality is that games are now being developed simultaneously for game consoles Xbox, Sony Playstation and PC. Compared to modern personal computers, consoles are weak in terms of performance and supported technologies. As a result, we play games on the computer, the graphics of which have remained at the level of the year the consoles were released, admiring the blurry textures and simplified effects. Yes, there are games developed or modified for PC, but there are only a few of them.
A typical example of cross-platform is the game Skyrim:
The difference in graphics between Playstation 3 and Xbox360 lies in the details: on PS3 there is little water dripping somewhere, on Xbox 360 shadows do not react to flickering light sources. On a PC (identified as “Windows” in the video), there are no such problems, plus objects at long distances are visible, but there are no other improvements. Later the developers released a set of textures high definition for the PC version of the game, but this did not significantly improve the graphics.
So that you can see what kind of graphics a computer can produce - an example of a game designed to use all the capabilities of a video card and processor:
Do you see the difference? Beautiful lighting, clear textures, smooth movements. By the way, this level of detail would be unattainable using outdated DirectX 9 technologies - there are too many objects in the frame at the same time. There are also many effects that are implemented using video cards that support DirectX 10 at a minimum.
Features of the Crysis 3 graphics engine:
Contrary to what some users think, DirectX doesn't improve graphics in games, but only give a chance the programmer to make the game more beautiful. If the game was developed for DirectX 9, then the presence of DirectX 10 version won't change anything. It all depends not only on the capabilities of the video card, but also on the technology support of the game. If you combine everything, you get a simply wonderful game in terms of graphics.
Different Windows and DirectX versions
DirectX is essentially a set of files - software libraries. If they are not in system folders, then the games, at best, will be displayed without effects, at worst, they will not start, giving an error (when starting the game, the error “d3dx9_42.dll not found” appears, where the numbers may be different).
A minimum set of these files is already present in just installed Windows. Depending on the version of the operating system, there will be a different set of files, which means support for different versions of DirectX (information from here):
- Windows XP SP2 - DirectX 9.0c
- Windows Vista- DirectX 10
- Windows Vista SP1 - DirectX 10.1
- Windows Vista SP2 - DirectX 11
- Windows 7 - DirectX 11.1
- Windows 8 - DirectX 11.1
- Windows 8.1. - DirectX 11.2
- Windows 10 - DirectX 12
Previous versions included. Those. Windows 10 has support for version 12, DirectX 11.2, 11.1, 11, 10.1, 10, 9 and below.
About how to install full set DirectX files will be in text.
DirectX video card support of different versions
How newer video card, the higher version of DirectX it supports. All previous versions will also be supported.
Windows should also support this version. You can't do anything with a video card that supports DirectX 12 in Windows XP - games that only work through DirectX 9 and below will launch. Still popular Windows 7 the situation is similar - DirectX latest version No.
How can I find out which version of DirectX my video card and Windows support?
Video card
You can find information about which version of DirectX your video card supports on the official page of the manufacturer’s website and in any online store. For example, in Yandex.Market.
Windows
Finding out which version Windows supports is more difficult because a lot depends on the updates you have installed.
The algorithm is as follows:
1. Make sure you have everything installed Windows updates(Start - All Programs - Windows Update - Search for Updates - Install).
2. Optional: Update your video card driver to the latest version:
On the website of Microsoft, which developed DirectX, you can download the DirectX installer. Actually it's Not DirectX installer, but only an installer program that will download from the Internet and install new versions of old DirectX software libraries and add new ones. Despite the numbers 9, 10, 10.1, etc., DirectX also has internal numbering, which is related to updates. That is, corrections and improvements are possible within versions.
Windows 7, 8 and 10 these libraries, in general, Not needed, because the required updates come through the Update Center. But if some old (2005-2010) game using DirectX 9 does not start for you, try installing that same installer.
D3DX9_ 24
.dll -D3DX9_ 43
.DLL
D3DX10. DLL - D3DX10_ 43
.DLL
D3DCompiler_33.dll - D3DCompiler_43.DLL
D3DX11_42.DLL
D3DX11_43.DLL
D3DCSX_42.DLL
D3DCSX_43.DLL
XACTENGINE2_0.dll - XACTENGINE2_9.DLL
XACTENGINE3_0.dll - XACTENGINE3_7.DLL
XAUDIO2_0.DLL
XAUDIO2_1.DLL
XAUDIO2_2.DLL
XAUDIO2_3.DLL
XAUDIO2_4.DLL
XAUDIO2_5.DLL
XAUDIO2_6.DLL
XAUDIO2_7.DLL
XAPOFX1_0.dll -XAPOFX1_5.DLL
X3DAUDIO1_0.dll - X3DAUDIO1_7.DLL
XINPUT1_1.DLL
XINPUT1_2.DLL
XINPUT1_3.DLL
To check what the installer installed, I downloaded the DirectX offline installer, which is needed to install DirectX updates on computers without the Internet:
Judging by the dates, at the time of writing this post, DirectX component updates were released on April 18, 2011 (update 01/29/2016: now everything comes through the Update Center in other packages).
The downloaded program is essentially a self-extracting archive. Let's open it with the 7-zip archiver:
Pay attention to the file names - the installer contains both files related to DirectX 9 (d3dx9_31, d3dx9_32, d3dx9_33, etc.) and DirectX 10 (d3dx10_35, d3dx10_40, etc.). Each version is updated - new versions of .dll libraries are released, new ones are added.
Let me remind you once again: this is not DirectX update from version to version. This update of software library versions has nothing to do with the numbering 9, 10, 10.1, 11, 11.1. You will not be able to upgrade your DirectX installation this way.
After installation, new libraries will be added and old ones will be updated, which will allow those games that report a missing error to launch d3dx*. So you can try to install it.
Where to download DirectX?
Just install updates via Update Center!
Do not download DirectX from any sites it is forbidden! You risk getting viruses!
DirectX components are updated via Windows Update. This is the only way you can get DirectX support 10.1 And 11 on Windows Vista, 11.1 on Windows 7.
Microsoft DirectX is included as a component in Windows operating systems. You can update DirectX with the latest service pack or other updates through Windows Update.
If I download and install DirectX on Windows XP, will DirectX 11 appear there?
Will not appear. DirectX 10, 11 and later versions on There will never be Windows XP. I could go on and on about this topic, but I’ll just say this: Windows owners XP, get over it - this OS has long ceased to be a “gaming” OS. Many modern games do not support Windows XP. Even Microsoft has officially given up on it.
It is worth noting that there is a DirectX 10 build for Windows XP made by craftsmen. In essence, this is just a set of software libraries, not adding DirectX 10 effects, but only allowing some games to run without errors in XP if the “DirectX 10” mode is enabled in their settings. In any case, this set of libraries is highly likely to cause glitches in the operating system, so you should never install such a division.
How to install DirectX version 11.1 on Windows 7?
Due to the advent of Windows 10 this question is more relevant than ever. There is support for DirectX 11 .1 already exists initially. Windows 7 comes pre-installed with 11 . Support for the new version of DirectX will come in Windows Update(Start - All Programs - Windows Update). The update is called KB2670838.
So update Windows through Update Center. This also applies to Windows 8.
DirectX 12
A lot of rumors are circulating around DirectX 12. Let's try to collect facts and guesses.
Windows 7, 8 and DirectX 12
DirectX 12 on Windows 7 and 8 Not will.
Old video cards will partially support DirectX 12
Representatives of video card manufacturers AMD and nVidia stated that video cards that support DirectX 11 will partially support DirectX 12. This turned out to be marketing deceit. The advantage of DirectX 12 over 11 is a 7-10-fold increase in performance due to optimization of work with video card components (memory, video processor). The hardware of video cards released in the era of DirectX 11 and earlier is not adapted for DirectX 12, so the main feature of the new API versions- acceleration of graphics calculation - will not work.
What do we have? There are three levels of support for the new graphics API by older video cards: Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. Tier 3 is the most complete support for the standard.
Video cards without DirectX 12 support (but supporting DX10 and/or 11):
Intel ValleyView2 HD Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 2500
Intel HD Graphics 4000
And newer.
AMD Radeon HD 5xxx
AMD Radeon HD 6xxx
AMD Radeon HD 7xxxG, M and D series
AMD Radeon HD 8xxxG
And newer.
It seems like everyone should, but there are different levels of support. More on this later
Video cards supporting DirectX 12 Tier 1
Intel HD Graphics 4400
Intel HD Graphics 4600
Intel HD Graphics 5000
Intel Iris Graphics 5100
Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200
NVIDIA GeForce GT 430
NVIDIA GeForce GT 440
NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460
NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 520
NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580
NVIDIA GeForce 610M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 610
NVIDIA GeForce GT 620M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 620
NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 630
NVIDIA GeForce GT 635M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 640
NVIDIA GeForce GT 730
And newer.
Video cards supporting DirectX 12 Tier 2
Intel- No.
AMD- No.
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680
NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 765M
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 Ti
NVIDIA GeForce 840M
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 850M
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980
And newer.
Video cards supporting DirectX 12 Tier 3
Intel- No.
AMD Radeon HD 7750
AMD Radeon HD 7770
AMD Radeon HD 7850
AMD Radeon HD 7870
AMD Radeon HD 7950
AMD Radeon HD 7970
AMD Radeon R4 Graphics
AMD Radeon HD 8600
AMD Radeon HD 8800
AMD Radeon R7 200
AMD Radeon R9 200
AMD Radeon R9 390X
And newer.
But nVidia does not yet have video cards with full support for DirectX 12.
Update from March 3, 2018: has already. All modern ones fully support version 12.
Feature levels
As the owner of an AMD Radeon HD7950, I would like to be happy, but I can’t. The fact is that Microsoft has gone further and introduced additional feature levels (“Feature levels”). Tier levels are an indicator for buyers, Feature levels are for developers.
Feature level 11.0- support for DirectX11 video card and the “Resource Binding” function from Tier 1. Representatives of such video cards: Nvidia GeForce GTX 400/500/600/700.
Feature level 11.1- DirectX 11 .1 and support for many functions that I will not list here (why?). Representatives:
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 745/750;
- AMD Radeon HD series 7700-7900/8500-8900, Rx 240-280;
- Intel HD Graphics 4200-5200, 5300-6300;
Feature level 12.0- support for some Tier 1 and Tier 2 features. Representatives: AMD Radeon HD 7790/8770, Rx 260/285/290 and newer.
Feature level 12.1- full Tier 1 support, hardware support for all DirectX 12 features.
Thus, none of the existing video cards fully supports DirectX 12. Some of the features are implemented on program level, so the same game using DX 11 and DX 12 will not see any noticeable performance boost when switching to the new API version.
Bottom line
It's amazing how much computing performance depends on the level of access to the computer's hardware. DX 12 provides features that developers should not neglect. Thanks to Xbox One will also support the twelfth version, at the end of 2015 we will see many games with its support. But there will be no miracles - existing (as of 2015) video cards are not optimized for DirectX 12, the performance gain will be small.
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Sometimes, to launch an application or game on Windows, you may need the name of the package of programs installed on the operating system.
And, therefore, answer the question of how to find out which DirectX is installed.
Knowing the exact version of this package, initially used only for gaming purposes, but then used to support the playback of multimedia files and to perform other tasks, you can understand whether your PC has enough resources, or whether an update is required (of the program itself or computer elements).
What does the new version offer?
Substantial part software works only in the appropriate environment - with the necessary drivers and software packages.
For example, Adobe Photoshop requires OpenGL software installed, and almost all modern games will not run without DirectX 11.
Accurate knowledge of the multimedia package (as well as computer resources) allows you to avoid following problems:
- Purchasing or downloading applications that are not supported by the system;
- Attempts to install more than early versions DirectX.
For most applications that require special software such as DirectX, it is included. And during the installation process it is suggested to install it on your computer or update it.
But, if automatic updating does not occur, but the program does not start for some reason, you will need to find out the multimedia package to understand whether its incompatibility with the application is causing the problem.
A simple way to determine
Find out the latest version of DirectX installed system quite simple - in modern operating systems the package is already included with Windows. And you can determine the variety by the name of the system:
- In one of the most common Windows systems 7 built-in is DirectX 10, suitable for most graphic applications, games and multimedia files;
- In the outdated Windows XP, the 9th version of the package was installed by default, which often had to be updated to run more modern programs;
- Windows 8 included DirectX 11;
- Both the 11th and 12th versions of the program could be included with the latest, tenth Windows.
Definition using built-in tools
To accurately determine the DirectX version using the built-in diagnostic tool, you need:
- Open the command execution menu by simultaneously pressing the Windows + “R” keys;
- Enter the dxdiag command;
- In the window that opens after executing the command, on the first tab, find information about the program, which is located at the bottom of the list.
Advice! Since the system only shows integer values, sometimes the DirectX 11 information shown may mean that the system actually has version 11.1 or 11.2 installed. However, in most cases such details are not important.
Another place to find out the DirectX version is the control panel of the video card, if it is installed.
For example, for products NVidia such information is displayed when viewing system information.
In addition, there are special utilities that also provide all the necessary information about the system, including the DirectX version. For example, Aida 64, formerly called Everest.
Free versions This utility can be found on the Internet and installed on your computer - in the future you will need it not only to determine which version of DirectX you have.
You can find similar features in other utilities.
Version of the multimedia package shown by AIDA 64
Often new users personal computers wondering how to find out which DirectX is installed. Especially this problem excites those who like to play different computer games. Let's figure out what it is, how to discover and install it for ourselves.
What and why
Before we talk about how to find out which DirectX is installed, you need to generally understand what kind of “Direct” it is. Let's figure it out together.
In order for the computer to communicate with various devices and with their own hardware, as well as with different applications, it needs to have special libraries and connection modules. They usually have a .dll extension. If such “things” are missing, then you can forget about the proper operation of the game or program.
DrectX is a kind of set of special APIs that help the computer interact with certain applications. In other words, this is a whole series of libraries that are necessary for successful work computer. IN Lately DirectX is used in the development of computer games, so this kind of thing is quite important for gamers and it is equally important for them to know how to find out which DirectX is installed on their “machine”.
Before detection
Now it’s time to talk about how you can detect this very “Direct” on your computer. First of all, you need to know some points that will help you get rid of unnecessary manipulations when looking for an answer to the question of how to find out which DirectX is installed on your computer.
The fact is that every computer, when purchased and first started, already has one or another operating system. If you start studying it in more detail, you will notice that “by default” some “Direct” will already be installed on it. Depending on your operating system, of course.
So, if you want to know how to see which DirectX is installed, but don't want to go through any of the steps, try to remember: modern computers Direct X version 9 is already present on Windows 7. The G8 already has the 10th generation with the possibility of updating. In all other cases, you need to check your libraries yourself.
Start the search
Now it's time to talk about how to check which DirectX is installed on your computer. This is done in just a few seconds. If you want to rack your brain, you can look for special online services that can show information about your PC upon request. For those who don’t want to split hairs, the following method is suitable.
Call command line. To do this, press Win+R. In the window that appears, enter the command "dxdiag" and press Enter. A window will open in front of you, which will display all the information about your computer. Towards the very end of the list you will see the line “DirectX installed”. Opposite this inscription your version of the “library” will be shown.
You can also find the information you need even easier. Like the method will work for "seven" users. Just open the Start menu and type “dxdiag” into the search box. The answer will be open required page with data. Now that you know how to find out which DirectX is installed, it's time to talk a little about how to "handle" this application.
Update
Time passes, and with the development of technology, libraries connected to a computer also develop. Thus, DirectX also receives its updates. It needs to be updated from time to time. But how to do that?
The task is accomplished in several ways. The first one is independent search required version in the Internet. It is not very convenient, since you may run into trouble, namely, encrypted and hidden viruses. Yes, and your system and this application may be incompatible.
The second method is updating using the official Microsoft website. To do this, go to the site, find DirectX, then select the one you need operating system and the version of Direct for downloading. Download and install according to the instructions. After this, restart your computer - and now you have updated your computer's libraries!
The last, most reliable method is automatic updating using Windows 7 Update. To do this, go to it and start checking available updates, then select DirectX, if available, and wait for it to update. All you need is an Internet connection. And, of course, restart your computer after completion.
I installed Direct, but there's no point
Sometimes it may happen that you install DirectX on your computer at the request of an application and game, but there are still problems with launching. What to do in this situation?
Many people start deleting Direct and reinstalling it, but this is not what is really needed. In reality, you need to rewrite the library (it is in .dll format) that you are missing, then download and “install” it on your computer. All libraries are stored in Windows folder-> System32.
Find it on the Internet (or better yet, on the official website) missing file and download it. Unzip (usually libraries are hidden in archives), then “put away” them in the System32 folder and, if necessary, restart the computer. All problems will be solved.