Enhance Your Gaming and Multimedia with DirectX 12 Free Download
How to Download and Install DirectX 12 for Free on Windows 10/11
If you are a PC gamer or a multimedia enthusiast, you might have heard of DirectX, a suite of technologies that enables software, especially games, to work directly with your video and audio hardware. DirectX 12 is the latest version of this software, and it offers many advantages over the previous versions, such as improved performance, enhanced graphics, and support for advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. In this article, we will show you how to download and install DirectX 12 for free on Windows 10/11, as well as how to check your current DirectX version, troubleshoot common issues, and find more information.
What is DirectX 12 and Why You Need It
DirectX 12 is a graphics technology that has improved CPU utilization, average frame rate, and support for advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. It is compatible with Windows 10/11 and most graphics cards, and it allows developers to have more control over multiple GPUs. However, the performance gains may not be as high as some users expect, and some problems like memory stacking are not solved.
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DirectX 12 Features and Benefits
Some of the main features and benefits of DirectX 12 are :
Ray tracing: This is a technique that simulates realistic lighting effects by tracing the path of light rays in a scene. It can create stunning reflections, shadows, ambient occlusion, global illumination, and more. However, it also requires a lot of computing power and may affect the frame rate.
Variable rate shading: This is a technique that allows developers to adjust the shading rate of different areas of the screen based on their importance or complexity. It can improve performance by reducing the workload on the GPU without sacrificing visual quality.
Sampler feedback: This is a technique that allows developers to optimize texture streaming by providing feedback on which textures are needed and at what resolution. It can reduce memory usage, bandwidth consumption, and loading times by avoiding unnecessary texture loading.
Mesh shaders: This is a technique that allows developers to create complex and detailed geometry on the fly by using programmable shaders instead of fixed-function pipeline stages. It can enable vast open worlds, dynamic level of detail, and procedural generation.
DirectX 12 Compatibility and Requirements
To run games that require DirectX 12, you will need a video card that supports DirectX 12. Some games allow you to launch it using older versions of DirectX. DirectX 12 is supported by all Ampere, Turing, Pascal, Maxwell, Kepler and Fermi GPUs. You will also need Windows 10/11 as your operating system, as DirectX 12 is not available for older versions of Windows.
How to Check Your Current DirectX Version
To check which version of DirectX is installed on your computer, you can use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag). Here are the steps to do it :
On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
Type dxdiag in the box and press Enter.
If this is the first time you use DxD iag, you might see a message asking if you want to check if your drivers are digitally signed. Click Yes or No according to your preference.
In the DxDiag window, click the System tab and look for the DirectX Version under System Information.
If you want to check the details of your video card, click the Display tab and look for the information under Device.
If you want to save the information as a text file, click Save All Information and choose a location to save it.
When you are done, click Exit to close the DxDiag window.
How to Download and Install DirectX 12
There are two ways to download and install DirectX 12 on your computer: by updating Windows 10/11 or by downloading it from the Microsoft website. Here are the steps for each method:
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How to Update Windows 10/11 to Get DirectX 12
One of the easiest ways to get DirectX 12 is to update your Windows 10/11 to the latest version. This will ensure that you have the most recent updates and features for your system, including DirectX 12. Here are the steps to do it :
On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and I at the same time to open the Settings app.
Click Update & Security.
Click Windows Update on the left pane.
Click Check for updates on the right pane. Windows will automatically download and install any available updates for your system.
If you see a message saying that your device is up to date, then you already have the latest version of Windows 10/11 and DirectX 12.
If you see a message saying that updates are available, then follow the on-screen instructions to install them. You might need to restart your computer to complete the installation.
How to Download DirectX 12 from Microsoft Website
Another way to get DirectX 12 is to download it from the Microsoft website. This is useful if you want to install it on a different computer or if you have problems with Windows Update. Here are the steps to do it :
Go to on the Microsoft website.
Click Download and save the file to your computer.
Double-click the file and follow the on-screen instructions to install DirectX 12. You might need to accept the license agreement and provide administrator permission.
When the installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
How to Run DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag)
After installing DirectX 12, you can run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag) again to verify that it is working properly. You can also use this tool to troubleshoot any issues with DirectX 12 or your video and audio hardware. Here are some tips on how to use DxDiag:
To run DxDiag, follow the same steps as above in .
To test your video and audio hardware, click the Display tab or the Sound tab and then click Test DirectDraw or Test DirectSound. If you see any errors or problems, try updating your drivers or contacting your manufacturer for support.
To view more information about your system, click the System tab or any other tabs and look for the details under System Information or Notes.
To save a report of your system information and diagnostic results, click Save All Information and choose a location to save it. You can use this report to share with Microsoft support or other experts if you need help with DirectX 12 issues.
How to Troubleshoot DirectX 12 Issues
Sometimes, you might encounter some issues with DirectX 12 or your video and audio hardware, such as crashes, freezes, errors, or poor performance. Here are some common solutions that might help you fix these issues:
How to Enable or Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration is a feature that allows software applications to use your video and audio hardware more efficiently. However, sometimes it can cause compatibility issues or performance problems with some games or programs. You can try enabling or disabling hardware acceleration to see if it makes any difference. Here are the steps to do it :
On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog box.
Type control panel in the box and press Enter.
Click System and Security.
Click System.
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