How to Download DirectX 12
DirectX 12 is a graphics technology that powers many Windows-based PC games. It allows software, especially games, to work directly with your graphics and audio hardware, resulting in faster and smoother performance, higher-quality graphics, and more immersive sound effects. If you are a PC gamer, you might want to know how to download and install DirectX 12 on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer.
how to download directx 12
In this article, we will explain what DirectX 12 is, why it matters, what are its benefits and requirements, and how you can get it on your PC. We will also show you how to check your current DirectX version, how to troubleshoot common issues with DirectX 12, and answer some frequently asked questions about this technology.
What is DirectX 12 and Why It Matters for PC Gamers
DirectX is a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) developed by Microsoft that enable software, primarily and especially games, to interact with your video and audio hardware. Games that use DirectX can take advantage of multimedia accelerator features built-in to your hardware, such as dedicated graphics cards, sound cards, or processors.
DirectX has been around since Windows 95, and it has evolved over time with new versions that add new features and improve performance. The latest version of DirectX is DirectX 12, which was introduced with Windows 10 in 2015 and is also included in Windows 11. It is also known as DirectX 12 Ultimate, which is a subset of DirectX 12 that adds some advanced features such as ray tracing and variable rate shading.
DirectX 12 matters for PC gamers because it offers several benefits over previous versions of DirectX, such as:
Better scaling with multi-core CPUs: DirectX 12 can distribute the workload of rendering graphics across multiple CPU cores, reducing the bottleneck that often occurs when a single core has to handle all the commands from the game engine. This means that games can run faster and smoother on modern multi-core processors.
Lower CPU overhead: DirectX 12 reduces the amount of CPU resources that are needed to communicate with the graphics card, leaving more room for other tasks such as game logic or physics. This means that games can run more efficiently and with less stuttering or lagging.
More control over GPU resources: DirectX 12 gives developers more direct access to the graphics card's memory and features, allowing them to optimize their games for specific hardware configurations. This means that games can look better and more realistic with higher-quality textures, lighting, shadows, and effects.
However, not all games support DirectX 12, and not all hardware can run it. To enjoy the benefits of DirectX 12, you need to have a compatible operating system, graphics card, driver, and game.
How to install the latest version of DirectX on Windows 10
How to update DirectX 12 for better gaming performance
How to fix DirectX errors and problems in Windows
How to download and install DirectX 12 offline installer
How to check which version of DirectX is installed on your PC
How to enable DirectX 12 Ultimate features on supported hardware
How to uninstall or reinstall DirectX 12 in Windows 10
How to run DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag) to troubleshoot issues
How to download DirectX 12 for Windows 7, 8, or 8.1
How to use DirectX 12 with compatible games and applications
How to optimize DirectX 12 settings for your graphics card
How to download and install DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer
How to switch between DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 in games
How to test DirectX 12 performance with benchmarks and tools
How to download and install DirectX SDK (Software Development Kit)
How to fix missing or corrupted DirectX DLL files
How to enable or disable DirectX features in Windows 10
How to download and install DirectX Redistributable Package
How to use DirectX Raytracing (DXR) for realistic lighting effects
How to download and install DirectX Media Runtime
How to improve DirectX 12 compatibility with older games
How to use DirectX Debug Layer for debugging and validation
How to download and install DirectX Control Panel
How to use DirectX Math Library for vector and matrix operations
How to download and install DirectX Graphics Infrastructure (DXGI)
How to use DirectX Video Acceleration (DXVA) for video decoding
How to download and install DirectX Audio (XAudio2, XACT3, X3DAudio)
How to use DirectX Input (XInput, DirectInput) for game controllers
How to download and install Managed DirectX (MDX) for .NET Framework
How to use DirectX Texture Compression (DXTC) for image optimization
How to download and install Direct3D 12 (D3D12) for graphics programming
How to use Direct3D 12 Feature Levels for hardware capabilities
How to download and install Direct2D (D2D) for 2D graphics programming
How to use Direct2D Effects for image processing and manipulation
How to download and install DirectWrite (DWrite) for text rendering
How to use DirectWrite Text Layouts for complex text formatting
How to download and install DirectCompute (DCompute) for general-purpose computing on GPU
How to use DirectCompute Shaders for parallel programming on GPU
How to download and install DirectML (DML) for machine learning on GPU
How to use DirectML Operators for common machine learning tasks
What are the Requirements and Compatibility of DirectX 12
To run DirectX 12 on your PC, you need to meet the following requirements - A compatible operating system: DirectX 12 is only available on Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you have an older version of Windows, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you will not be able to run DirectX 12. You can check your Windows version by going to Settings > System > About, or by typing winver in the search box or the Run dialog box. - A compatible graphics card: DirectX 12 requires a graphics card that supports the DirectX 12 feature level, which is a set of hardware capabilities that enable DirectX 12 features. The minimum feature level for DirectX 12 is 11_0, which means that most graphics cards released since 2010 can run DirectX 12. However, some newer features, such as ray tracing and variable rate shading, require higher feature levels, such as 12_0 or 12_1. You can check your graphics card's feature level by using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, which we will explain later. - A compatible driver: DirectX 12 requires a driver that supports the DirectX 12 API, which is a set of software functions that allow games and applications to communicate with the graphics card. The driver is usually provided by the graphics card manufacturer, such as NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. You can check your driver version by using the Device Manager, which we will explain later. - A compatible game: DirectX 12 requires a game that is designed to use the DirectX 12 API, which is a set of software instructions that tell the graphics card what to do. The game developer decides whether to use DirectX 12 or not, and how to implement it in their game engine. You can check if a game supports DirectX 12 by looking at its system requirements, settings, or documentation.
How to Check Your Current DirectX Version on Windows 10/11
Before you download and install DirectX 12 on your PC, you might want to check your current DirectX version and see if you already have it or not. You can do this by using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, which is a built-in utility that displays information about your system's DirectX components and drivers.
To use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, follow these steps:
Press the Windows logo key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type dxdiag and click OK.
Wait for the tool to collect information about your system.
Look at the System tab and find the System Information section.
Look at the DirectX Version field and note down the number.
The number you see indicates your current DirectX version. For example, if you see DirectX Version: 12, it means that you have DirectX 12 installed on your PC. If you see a lower number, such as DirectX Version: 11 or DirectX Version: 10, it means that you have an older version of DirectX installed on your PC.
How to Download and Install DirectX 12 on Windows 10/11
If you don't have DirectX 12 installed on your PC, or if you want to update it to the latest version, there are two ways to do it: using Windows Update or using the DirectX End-User Web Installer. We will explain both methods below.
How to Use Windows Update to Get the Latest DirectX Version
Windows Update is a feature that automatically downloads and installs updates for your Windows operating system and other Microsoft products. It also includes updates for DirectX components and drivers. This is the easiest and recommended way to get the latest DirectX version on your PC.
To use Windows Update to get the latest DirectX version, follow these steps:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates and wait for Windows to scan for available updates.
If there are any updates available, click Download and install and wait for Windows to download and install them.
If prompted, restart your PC to complete the installation.
After restarting your PC, you should have the latest DirectX version installed on your PC. You can verify this by using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool again and checking the DirectX Version field.
How to Use the DirectX End-User Web Installer to Get the Latest DirectX Version
The DirectX End-User Web Installer is a standalone program that downloads and installs updates for DirectX components and drivers. It is useful if you have problems with Windows Update or if you want to install DirectX on another PC without an internet connection.
To use the DirectX End-User Web Installer to get the latest DirectX version, follow these steps:
Go to [this website] and click Download.
Save the file (dxweb setup.exe) to your PC and run it.
Follow the instructions on the screen and accept the license agreement.
Wait for the installer to download and install the required DirectX components and drivers.
If prompted, restart your PC to complete the installation.
After restarting your PC, you should have the latest DirectX version installed on your PC. You can verify this by using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool again and checking the DirectX Version field.
How to Troubleshoot Common Issues with DirectX 12
Even if you have DirectX 12 installed on your PC, you might encounter some issues when running games or applications that use it. Some of the common issues include:
Games or applications crashing, freezing, or not launching.
Games or applications displaying graphical glitches, artifacts, or low-quality graphics.
Games or applications having poor performance, low frame rate, or high CPU or GPU usage.
Games or applications having no sound, distorted sound, or low-quality sound.
These issues can be caused by various factors, such as incompatible or outdated hardware, drivers, software, or settings. To troubleshoot these issues, you can try the following solutions:
How to Update Your Graphics Drivers and Check for Compatibility Issues
One of the most common causes of DirectX 12 issues is having incompatible or outdated graphics drivers. Graphics drivers are software programs that allow your graphics card to communicate with your operating system and DirectX. If your graphics drivers are not compatible with DirectX 12, or if they are not updated to the latest version, you might experience crashes, glitches, or performance issues.
To update your graphics drivers and check for compatibility issues, follow these steps:
Go to Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager, or by typing device manager in the search box or the Run dialog box.
Expand the Display adapters category and find your graphics card.
Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software and wait for Windows to find and install the latest driver for your graphics card.
If Windows does not find a new driver, you can go to the manufacturer's website and download the latest driver for your graphics card model and operating system. For example, if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you can go to [this website] and follow the instructions to download and install the latest driver.
After updating your driver, restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.
If updating your driver does not resolve the issue, you might have a compatibility issue between your graphics card and DirectX 12. To check this, you can use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool again and look at the Display tab. Find the Drivers section and look at the Feature Levels field. This field shows the highest feature level that your graphics card supports. If this number is lower than 11_0, it means that your graphics card does not support DirectX 12. In this case, you might need to upgrade your graphics card to a newer model that supports DirectX 12.
How to Run Games and Applications in Compatibility Mode or with Administrator Privileges
Another common cause of DirectX 12 issues is having compatibility problems between games or applications and your operating system. Compatibility problems can occur when games or applications are designed for older versions of Windows or DirectX, and they do not work well with newer versions. To fix this, you can try running games or applications in compatibility mode or with administrator privileges.
Compatibility mode is a feature that allows you to run games or applications as if they were running on an older version of Windows. This can help resolve some compatibility issues that might prevent games or applications from launching or working properly. Administrator privileges are permissions that allow you to run games or applications with full access to your system resources. This can help resolve some issues that might prevent games or applications from accessing certain files or settings.
To run games or applications in compatibility mode or with administrator privileges, follow these steps:
Find the game or application's executable file (.exe) on your PC. You can usually find it in the installation folder of the game or application, or by right-clicking its shortcut and selecting Open file location.
Right-click the executable file and select Properties.
Select the Compatibility tab.
To run in compatibility mode, check the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode for: and select an older version of Windows from the drop-down menu. For example, if you have a game that was designed for Windows 7, you can select Windows 7 from the menu.
To run with administrator privileges, check the box next to Run this program as an administrator.
Click Apply and OK.
Run the game or application and check if the issue is resolved.
If running in compatibility mode or with administrator privileges does not resolve the issue, you might need to contact the game or application developer for support or look for updates or patches that might fix the issue.
How to Reinstall or Repair DirectX 12 if It Is Corrupted or Missing
A rare but possible cause of DirectX 12 issues is having a corrupted or missing DirectX installation. This can happen if your DirectX files are damaged, deleted, or overwritten by another program. To fix this, you can try reinstalling or repairing DirectX 12 on your PC.
To reinstall or repair DirectX 12 on your PC, follow these steps:
Go to [this website] and click Download.
Save the file (dxwebsetup.exe) to your PC and run it.
Follow the instructions on the screen and accept the license agreement.
Wait for the installer to download and install the required DirectX components and drivers.
If prompted, restart your PC to complete the installation.
After restarting your PC, you should have a fresh and working DirectX installation on your PC. You can verify this by using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool again and checking the DirectX Version field.
Conclusion
DirectX 12 is a graphics technology that can enhance your PC gaming experience by improving performance, quality, and realism. However, it also requires some compatibility and troubleshooting steps to ensure that it works properly on your PC. In this article, we have explained what DirectX 12 is, why it matters, what are its benefits and requirements, and how you can download and install it on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer. We have also shown you how to check your current DirectX version, how to troubleshoot common issues with DirectX 12, and answered some frequently asked questions about this technology.
We hope that this article has helped you understand how to download DirectX 12 and enjoy its benefits. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy gaming!
FAQs
What is the difference between DirectX 12 and DirectX 12 Ultimate?
DirectX 12 Ultimate is a subset of DirectX 12 that adds some advanced features such as ray tracing, variable rate shading, mesh shaders, and sampler feedback. These features can improve the realism, detail, and performance of graphics in games that support them. However, they also require higher feature levels and more powerful hardware than regular DirectX 12. Not all games or graphics cards support DirectX 12 Ultimate features.
Can I downgrade from DirectX 12 to DirectX 11 or lower?
No, you cannot downgrade from DirectX 12 to DirectX 11 or lower. DirectX 12 is integrated with Windows 10 and Windows 11, and it cannot be uninstalled or replaced by an older version of DirectX. However, you can still run games or applications that use older versions of DirectX on your PC, as long as they are compatible with your operating system and hardware. You can also choose which version of DirectX to use in some games or applications by changing their settings or options.
How can I enable or disable DirectX features such as ray tracing or variable rate shading?
To enable or disable DirectX features such as ray tracing or variable rate shading, you need to have a game or application that supports them, a graphics card that supports them, and a driver that supports them. You also need to change the settings or options of the game or application to turn them on or off. The exact steps may vary depending on the game or application you are using. You can usually find them in the graphics menu or the advanced settings menu of the game or application.
Which games support DirectX 12 and how can I find them?
There are many games that support DirectX 12, especially newer ones that are released for Windows 10 or Windows 11. Some examples of popular games that support DirectX 12 are Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite, Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Gears 5, Doom Eternal, Control, and Red Dead Redemption 2. To find out if a game supports DirectX 12, you can look at its system requirements, settings, or documentation. You can also use websites such as [this one] that list games that support DirectX 12.
How can I improve the performance and stability of DirectX 12 games?
To improve the performance and stability of DirectX 12 games, you can try the following tips:
Update your Windows operating system, graphics card driver, and game to the latest version. This can help fix bugs, improve compatibility, and add new features that can boost performance and stability.
Adjust your game settings to match your hardware capabilities. This can help reduce the load on your graphics card and CPU, and improve the frame rate and smoothness of the game. You can lower the resolution, graphics quality, or effects of the game, or turn off some DirectX features that are not essential for the game.
Close any unnecessary programs or background processes that are running on your PC. This can help free up some memory and CPU resources, and prevent interference or conflicts with the game.
Monitor your PC's temperature and fan speed. This can help prevent overheating or throttling of your graphics card or CPU, which can cause performance issues or crashes. You can use software tools such as [this one] to check your PC's temperature and fan speed, and adjust them if needed.
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