Overview – Check DirectX Version in Windows
Microsoft DirectX is a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) for Microsoft platforms that manage activities linked to multimedia, primarily gaming, design involving Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs, coding involving Data Visualization, and rendering videos, graphics, and motion graphics. Some of the DirectX Apis involve Direct2D, Direct3D, DirectCompute, DirectDraw, DirectMusic, DirectPlay, DirectWrite, and many more.
It seems that you want to check for the DirectX Version in your version of Windows for compatibility with hardcore games and some other programs.
By the end of this article, you will be able to check the Direct X Version in Windows 11:
1. Check DirectX Version via DirectX Diagnostic Tool
Step 1: Press the ‘Windows Key + R‘ key combination to open Windows Run and search for ‘dxdiag‘ (without quotation marks).
Step 2: The DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag tool) will appear in a new window. Under the system information section, you’ll find the DirectX Version on your computer.
2. Check DirectX Version via Command Prompt or PowerShell
In the steps below, the command prompt is used for explanation. You can use Windows PowerShell as well and the remaining steps will remain the same.
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt or PowerShell from the Start menu.
Step 2: To open DirectX Diagnostic Tool, type the command ‘dxdiag‘ (without quotation marks) and press the enter key.
Step 3: The DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag tool) will appear in a new window. Under the system information section, you’ll find the DirectX Version on your computer.
FAQs Related to DirectX in Windows
What is the latest DirectX Version for windows 11?
DirectX 12 is by far the most recent DirectX version on Windows 11 in 2021, and it’s capable of performing heavy workloads, boosting overall device performance, and including capabilities like Ray Tracing, variable-rate shading, and increased Frame Rate Per Second (FPS), and much more.
Can I install an older version of DirectX in Windows 11?
No, it is highly not recommended to install an older version of DirectX in Windows 11. As per Microsoft’s official announcement stating the requirements of Windows 11, it’s mandatory to have DirectX 12 or later otherwise you’ll experience compatibility issues, and errors.
How do I know if I have DirectX 12 on Windows 11?
In the Windows Run, type ‘dxdiag’ (without quotation marks). In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, under the system information section, you’ll find the DirectX version installed on your computer.
Is DirectX 12 backward compatible?
The term backward compatibility refers to hardware or software that effectively utilizes interfaces and data from previous stable versions of the system. The DirectX 12 is backward compatible with all the Peripheral Component Interconnect 3 (PCI 3.0) slots.
Next Steps
We’ve covered how to check the DirectX version in Windows 11.
Since all versions of Windows don’t support all DirectX versions, an incompatible DirectX version can potentially result in Windows Errors and usability issues. For smoother and proper functioning, it is recommended to check the compatibility of your version of DirectX and upgrade or degrade its version as per Windows requirements.
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