How to find out which DirectX is installed. How to check DirectX version

In all operating systems ah, starting with , the above components are already built into the distribution. This means that they do not need to be installed separately. Each edition of the OS has its own maximum version of the DirectX libraries. For Windows 7 it's DX11.

To increase compatibility, in addition to the newest version, there are files of previous editions in the system. Under normal circumstances, as long as the DX components are intact, games written for the tenth and ninth versions will also work. But in order to run a project created under DX12, you will have to install it and nothing else.

Graphics adapter

Also, what version of the components is used in the system operation is affected by the video card. If your adapter is quite old, it may only 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 give errors.

Games

Some game projects are designed in such a way that they can use files of both new and outdated versions. In the settings of such games there is an option to select the DirectX edition.

Conclusion

Based on the above, we conclude that we cannot choose which edition of the libraries to use in our operating system, this has already been done for us by the developers of Windows and manufacturers of graphics accelerators. Attempts to install a new version of components from third-party sites will only lead to a loss of time or even failures and errors. In order to use the capabilities of fresh DX, you need to change the video card and (or) install a new Windows.

Sometimes, in order to run an application or game in Windows, you may need the name of a package of programs installed in the operating system.

And, therefore, to answer the question of how to find out which DirectX is installed.

Knowing the exact version of this package, originally 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 an update (of the program itself or computer elements) is required.

What gives the new version?

Much of the software only works in the right environment - with the right drivers and software packages.

For example, Adobe Photoshop requires OpenGL software to be installed, and almost all modern games will not run without DirectX 11.

Accurate knowledge of the multimedia package (as well as computer resources) avoids the following problems:

  • Purchases or downloads of applications that are not supported by the system;
  • Attempts to install earlier versions of DirectX.

For most applications that require special software such as DirectX, it is included. And during the installation process, it is proposed to install it on your computer or update it.

But, if automatic updates do not occur, but the program does not start for some reason, you will need to find out the multimedia package in order to understand if its incompatibility with the application is the cause of the problem.

An easy way to determine

Check DirectX version recently installed system quite simple - in modern operating systems, the package is already bundled with Windows. And you can determine the variety by the name of the system:

  • In one of the most common Windows 7 systems, DirectX 10 is built-in, suitable for most graphics 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;
  • Complete with the last, tenth Windows, both the 11th and 12th versions of the program could go.

Definition using built-in tools

For exact definition version of DirectX using the built-in diagnostic tool, you need:

  1. Open the menu for executing commands, for which you should simultaneously press the Windows + "R" keys;
  2. Enter the command dxdiag;
  3. 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 information shown about DirectX 11 may mean that the system is actually running version 11.1 or 11.2. However, in most cases, such details do not matter.

Another place to find out the version of DirectX is the control panel of the video card, if it is installed.

For example, for NVidia products, such information is displayed when viewing system information.

In addition, there are special utilities that also give out all the necessary information about the system, including the version of DirectX. For example, Aida 64, formerly called Everest.

Free versions of 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.

Media package version shown by AIDA 64

DirectX like any other software, requires periodic updates. Why is it so important not to neglect them? How to determine the product version on your computer?

What is DirectX and what is it for?

DirectX is a set of APIs (various functions, constants, etc.) designed to solve various tasks related to programming on Microsoft Windows. Direct is often bundled with computer games and is mainly used by gamers.

DirectX is a free application that is freely available on the official Microsoft website.

The program provides interaction between the video card and the game: it directs all the computing power of the computer to high-quality graphics. Thanks to DirectX, users can enjoy beautiful landscapes, well-drawn characters and detailed games.

DirectX does not improve graphics, it only gives developers the opportunity to make the picture more beautiful. If the game was written for version 9, then installing 10 will not change anything, but developed for 11 in 10 will look worse.

How to Check Current DirectX Version on Windows 7 PC

DirectX is one of the programs installed by default in the operating system. Each has its own version.

Operating system DirectX Version
Windows XP SP2DirectX 9.0c
Windows VistaDirectX 10
Windows Vista SP1DirectX 10.1
Windows Vista SP2DirectX 11
Windows 7DirectX 11.1
Windows 8DirectX 11.1
Windows 8.1DirectX 11.2
Windows 10DirectX 12

But there may be differences when updating the system. How can I find out the version of DirectX on a computer running Windows 7?

If Windows cannot find the dxdiag command, then the computer is running version 5.0 or earlier, in which case install latest version DirectX via Windows Update.

How to check DirectX version (video)

DirectX - built into the operating system Windows system software that affects graphics in computer games Oh. If you want to enjoy realistic landscapes with well-drawn details, we recommend that you regularly update the product to the latest version.

Active users who often play various games are faced with a program such as DirectX. If someone else does not know what this is and why it is needed, let's try to briefly explain. This is a developed set of software library files for the normal operation of games on a computer. Simply put, this is a program without which games will not start or simply freeze. AT best case without Direct X, games will simply slow down, but this will not bring any pleasure. Avid gamers know that almost every game on the disc usually comes with the latest version of DirectX, without which this game simply won't work. Naturally, when installing a game, you must also take into account the presence of a supported DirectX on the computer.

How to view DirectX version

It's actually very easy to find out which version of the API libraries is installed on your computer.

  • In the search bar of Windows, write the command - dxdiag.
  • We open the utility.

This is a small diagnostic tool.DirectXand version check.
In the program windowswe can see all the information about the system. Current installed edition, page file, amount of RAM, system version and bit depth, and BIOS firmware.

How to find DirectX on Windows 7

  • Besides, there is another way how to find the version of directx ,  To do this, you need to run the classic application "Run".
  • This can be done in several ways. In Windows 7 it is in the menu " Start". Or use keyboard shortcut WinKey+R (for any operating system of the Windows family).

win key is the home key, usually marked with the logoWindows.

  • In the application window that opens, enter the command to run the DirectX diagnostics.

Windows 10 version check DirectX

You can also find out which DirectX is installed in the system through the console command line. You can launch it in many ways. In the latest versions of Windows 10, for example, the easiest way to do this is through the " Start”, on which you need to right-click, and select from the list Windows PowerShell . Then enter our cherished command in the console to launch the DirectX diagnostic utility.

We look DirectX in Windows 8

Command to run diagnostics dxdiag on Windows 8 operating systems, you can open it in the following way:

  • We go to the start screen, then click on the down arrow to open a list of all applications, and here in the search bar and write our command.

You can also check the release using third-party software, for example, using the AIDA64 or Everest program. Both programs are from the same developer and are practically identical. Of all the possible functions and capabilities that they have, you can also see which version of DirectX is installed on your computer there.


@

"DirectX" is a set of various software, which includes a wide range of technologies that ensure the performance of computer programs. The software also generates a certain game process and other applications related to multimedia. Such a program is sometimes bundled with the games themselves or other applications, which allows you to update it from time to time. However, this does not always happen, and at the most inopportune moment, you may need an up-to-date version. Therefore, it is very important to always know in advance which version of "DirectX" is already installed on the PC.

By itself, "DirectX" helps applications interact with the hardware of a personal computer, while facilitating not only the workload of the device. Without it, you used to have to download special drivers directly for various multimedia applications, which helped the same video card to interact with the application. "DirectX" combined the functions of such drivers, which made it easier for both developers and users.

Determining which version of "DirectX" is available on a Windows XP PC

In order to determine the version of "DirectX" on Windows XP, you will need:


Important! If necessary, you can upgrade to the latest up-to-date version using the official Microsoft website. Also on the site, the user can find and download almost any of the previously published versions.

Determining which version of "DirectX" is available on a Windows 7 PC

To find the necessary information about the version of "DirectX" on a given OS, you must:


Determine the version of "DirectX" on Windows 8.1

On this OS, the algorithm for determining the version of this software has not changed. To learn more about DirectX, you will need:


How can I easily find out which version of "DirectX" is available in Windows 10?

This version of the OS assumes the possibility of using the above algorithm of actions to determine information about such software. But there are cases when the "dxdiag" command does not work. In such cases, you should resort to this method:

  1. Launch the program "Explorer". Right-click on the "Start" icon, left-click on the "Explorer" line.

    On a note! The same menu can be called up with a combination of buttons on the keyboard "Win + X".

  2. Then go to drive "C".

  3. On the "C" drive, open the folder called "Windows".

  4. Next - "System32".

  5. Find the program "dxdiag.exe" in the list of files and double-click the left mouse button to launch it. The already known "DirectX Diagnostic Tool" will open, in which you can find the "DirectX Version" item.

On a note! The original Windows 10 software includes "DirectX 12" pre-installed, but other than that, there are no earlier versions that are used for many programs and PC games. On the official website of the company, the user can install any library required for the functioning of various applications and multimedia.

During the installation or use of some PC games, there are problems with "DirectX". Some games ask for more modern versions, while others ask for older versions. In this case, you should either reinstall the application itself or update the DirectX version.

Video - How to find out the version of DirectX on your PC or laptop?