In this article, learn how to download, install, and update to the latest version of DirectX.
Let me explain first what is DirectX or how to update it on your Windows 10 system?
DirectX is a bundled set of Application Programming Interfaces (API) required for running many of the multimedia features in the Windows Operating System.
The latest version of DirectX is DirectX 12, which is only available on Windows 10. Windows 8 and 7 are stuck on DirectX 11.
How To Determine the Version of DirectX Installed on your PC?
You can open a panel to check all about the version of DirectX you have installed on your computer. To do that, press Windows Key + R, then type “dxdiag” in the Run dialog and click OK. Go to the “System” tab, to see the version your system is currently running.
This guide will show you how to download the latest version of DirectX on your computer.
How to Download and Install DirectX
1. First, go to the DirectX download site on Microsoft’s site.
2. Choose your preferred language from the drop-down box and then click on the Download button to save the setup file to your computer.
3. Once the file is downloaded, go to the folder that contains the “dxwebsetup.exe” file and double-click on the file to run the DirectX installation.
You may uncheck the “Install the Bing Bar” option if not required.
4. Reboot your computer.
5. After restarting your system, check to see if updating to the latest version of DirectX corrected the problem you were having.
Checkout this video to illustrate this guide:
DirectX Windows Versions
All versions of Windows don’t support all versions of DirectX. Here’s more on how each version of DirectX works across the Windows family.
DirectX 12 is included with Windows 10 and is only supported in that version of Windows. Updates to DirectX 12 related files are only available through Windows Update. No standalone version of DirectX 12 is available.
DirectX 11.3 & 11.4 are only supported in Windows 10. As with DirectX 12.0, updates are only provided through Windows Update.
DirectX 11.2 is supported in Windows 8/8.1 and Windows only. Any updates to DirectX 11.2 related files are made available in Windows Update in those versions of Windows. There is no standalone download available for DirectX 11.2.
DirectX 11.1 is supported in Windows 8 and Windows 10. Windows 7 (SP1) is supported as well but only after installing the Platform Update for Windows 7.
DirectX 11.0 is supported in Windows 8, Windows 8, and Windows 10. Support for Windows Vista is available but only after installing the Platform Update for Windows Vista.
DirectX 10 is supported in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10.
DirectX 9 is supported in Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. If you have a program that requires for a DirectX 9 file in Windows 8 or Windows 10, installing the downloadable version (the process above) is the method to solve that issue — it will not “downgrade” your DirectX 12/11/10 install. This is also the latest version of DirectX that’s compatible with Windows XP.
