Sep. 12, 2018 / Updated by Bessie Shaw to Gaming Solutions
Microsoft DirectX Overview
According to the reference of Wikipedia, DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming, video, graphics and high-end-3D applications, on Microsoft platforms.
The Microsoft DirectX® End-User Runtime provides updates to 9.0c and previous versions of DirectX — the core Windows® technology that drives high-speed multimedia and games on the PC. 7, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP.
So we make it plain, without proper DirectX installed on your Windows, your games, and other multimedia applications may not execute correctly. Your audio and video playback may also be impacted negatively.
How to Get Proper DirectX for Your Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP?
Actually, DirectX is included by default on all modern Windows systems such as Windows 10, Windows 8.1, 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and XP. So all you need to do is to upgrade it. If you have problems on DirectX, or want to get a better performance on your games and multimedia applications, updating your DirectX to the latest version may be a fix. Below I have listed all versions of DirectX and the compatible systems, and how to get each version.
Part 1: Get DirectX 12, 11.3, 11.2, and 11.1 via Windows Update
DirectX 12 and 11.3 are included with Windows 10 and Server 2016, and it is unclear if the 2 versions are supported in previous systems like Windows 8, 7, etc. No stand-alone file is available for DirectX 12 and 11.3, you may use Windows Update to complete the update.
DirectX 11.2 is included in Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. There is no stand-alone update package for DirectX 11.2. Like with DirectX 12 and 11.3, you may need to install this DirectX version through Windows Update.
DirectX 11.1 is included in Windows 8, Windows RT, and Windows Server 2012.
Note: There is no stand-alone update package for DirectX 12, 11.3, 11.2, and 11.1. You can only install these DirectX versions on compatible systems (listed above) through Windows Update.
For Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 RS SP1, DirectX 11.1 is available with Platform Update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 (KB2670838).
DirectX 11.0 is included in Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2. It is also available for Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2, with KB971512 installed.
DirectX 10.1 is included in Windows Vista SP1 or later, and Windows Server SP1 or later.
DirectX 10 is included in Windows Vista.
DirectX 9.0c is available for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 by installing the DirectX 9.0c End-User Runtime. It is also the latest version of DirectX that's compatible with Windows XP.
Part 2: Get/Download DirectX with Driver Talent
If you have applications or games that call for a DirectX but you don’t know which version to install, you may try Driver Talent and download the proper DirectX from Game Components section. You can directly download Driver Talent by clicking the button below.
Then follow the simple steps below to learn how to use Driver Talent to download proper DirectX.
1. After you complete the download of Driver Talent, install it just like any other software.
2. Launch it, then click Scan on the main page and wait for the scan result.
3. On the scan result page (Download & Update tab), you can see your driver status (classified as “Need to be repaired”, “Updateable”, and “Normal”). Under “Normal” section, it is the Game Components section. Click the tab to expand/collapse it. Then you can download the DirectX available on this section.
It is easy to get a proper DirectX, right? Please tell us your problems on the below comment section.
Also, you can go to the Toolbox menu and click the DLL Files Helper option or PC Repair option for solutions of fixing DirectX issue.
Note: If you have driver issues related with your graphics, videos, or any other hardware devices, Driver Talent is also the best choice to fix the driver related issues. Below topics are some common problems you may come across:
Extended Tips:
1. How to Check Which Version of DirectX Is Installed on Your Computer
1) Click Start menu, and input dxdiag in the search box.
2) Click dxdiag.exe from the result.
3) Check the DirectX version from the report that popped up.
2. What to Do When Encountering “d3dx9_35.dll is missing” Issue?
As is stated above, DirectX 9 is included with Windows XP, so if you are using systems upper than Windows XP, you may have a higher version of DirectX installed. If you install and then run an application or game that requires DirectX 9, you might receive an error message 'The program can't start because d3dx9_35.dll is missing from your computer”.
Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.' Also, try to install DirectX End-User Runtime to resolve this issue.
Many thanks for visiting this post. If you have any questions on how to download and install DirectX for Windows computer, you can comment in the section below or go to our forum for discussion.
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DirectX 11 is designed by Microsoft, and it’s also distributed by Microsoft Corp. It is a set of drivers that enhance visual and audio performance. It is best known for its use with games, whereby it allows you to run the games with excellent graphics in video games. It is a pack of drivers designed for Windows 7 and Windows 8 and it has been updated regularly.
It is perhaps the huge jump in graphics performance that has been awaited for a while. If you are a gamer, it is nearly impossible to use your computer without DirectX since it allows you to use the latest titles of games and provides techniques specifically for games and applications that involve interactive multimedia.
Microsoft itself released it for the optimal use of its Windows applications. DX11 is an essential component of PC gaming. Multiple components are all considered as fundamental to the operation of everything on the PC like 3D video games, video playback, graphics, and image clarity.
The latest version DirectX 11 will have enhancements in graphics and hardware support as well. It is used in the optimum running of the latest games on the market, it is used in sound improvements, image enhancements and clarity of a picture be it a photo, video, graphics or game.
Advantages
- New Applications Program Interface (API) enables developers to get higher performance and enhanced GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) usage.
- Multiple GPU support gives more freedom during usage.
- There are graphic, sound and image improvements.
- It is rare to have any problems involving compatibility or performance.
- It is downloaded for free and available in the market.
- It’s quite easy to install.
- You will have a noticeable change in the general function and look of your games.
- It’s redistributed and allows for continuous updates to its components.
- It will automatically download missing components as and when necessary.
Steps for installation.
- Get your DX11 from the market or the internet.
- Most games and products that need it provide the version necessary for that products.
- Installation is quite easy and safe.
- Select the “download” button.
- Choose the language for usage of the program.
- Select “open” or “run” at the current location.
- Once installed, you need not worry about it anymore.
- You will enjoy the graphic, sound and image improvements that it offers.
- Runs smoothly in accordance with applications and games.
- Doesn’t need an activation key.
System requirements
Your PC should have minimum system requirements to be able to support DX11.
Make sure that these requirements are available before you download it. These
are at the least possible requirements that should be available:
- Operating system Windows XP, 7, 8…
- RAM Memory: 1GB
- Hard disk space: 100MB
- Processor: 1.5 GHz
Key features of DirectX 11 free download
The most noticeable features for the DirectX 11 are as follows:
- It a “Tessellation Enabled” feature which smooths the image and enhances the visual qualities so that you get a high definition picture.
- A HDR Texture Compression feature is implemented.
- A “Shade model” is a key feature.
- A “Multi-threading” capability: This helps the PC work faster and much more efficiently so that games don’t get stuck during operation.
- Direct compute: This is for games and non-game applications, since software like Photoshop or any other video editor, needs a lot of processing as such DX11 speeds them up and saves time.
- It was used as a basis for MS XBOX and all other versions of the XBOX.
- It provides functionality in sound and the use of joy sticks.
- It was designed originally for gaming and gamers and its sister project is the XBOX as such they share a similar logo.
Screenshot
Compatible video cards or Graphics card
Make sure that the specifications on your computer support the DX11 drivers be it the hard disk, the graphics card, the processor.
Each and every version of Windows that has been released has supported versions of DX. Newer versions of Windows were allowed to continue using the available version of DirectX until the newer version was released then they would be phased out in favor of the new one. Some of these specifications should be available:
- Radeon Hard Drive 7660d with AMD
- A Hard Drive of size 3000
- An ATI Graphics card support
- An ATI Radeon Hard Disk size 3200
- An ATI Graphic Card with specs of b276
- An ATI Radeon Hard Disk size 4550
- An ATI Radeon 3000
Games that can only operate with it are:
- FIFA 15
- Mortal Kombat X
- Need for Speed: Most Wanted
- Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
- GTA 5 improves with these drivers significantly.
- Assassins Creed
- Sims 3
- Angry Bird
- Bio shock infinite
- Alien Isolation
- Tropico 5
Versions
DirectX 11
DirectX 11.2
Direct X 11.3 is anticipated soon.
And Direct 12 is what was expected eventually and with great speed but has recently been released.
The beginning of the series was DirectX 1.0 and was released as early as 1995, it was followed by – 2.0, 2.0a,3.0, 3.0a, 3.0b, 4.0, 5.0, 5.2 …..
FAQS
1 – Is it easy to use?
It is very easy to use by any gamer or non-gamer.
2 – Is it safe for any computer?
It is 100% safe, especially since it was provided by Microsoft itself.
3 – Do you need the DirectX 11?
It is a group of multimedia technologies required by many Windows Games.
4 – What is the purpose of DX11?
It is a software made by Microsoft, and its purpose is to connect with a computer’s hardware such that it can handle tasks connected to rendering graphics, video, and audio on the windows platform.
5 – Does it provide security?
The DX11 provides security and updates as well as up to date feature covering multiple types of technologies.
6 – What is the meaning of DirectX 11?
The most basic explanation is that it is the breaking down of the polygons of a game into tiny pieces for very high accuracy in performance.
7- Are all Bits sizes compatible with the DirectX 11?
Both 32 Bit and 64 Bit work very well with it.