DirectX

Microsoft

What are the different parts of DirectX?

• Direct3D. This helps make three-dimensional animation possible on your computer monitor. Direct3D is designed to provide a powerful link between your computer's video card and software programs that can render three-dimensional (3 D) objects. The faster your computer can process animation, the more realistic the 3 D objects, light, and motion on your monitor will appear to be.

• DirectDraw. This helps produce two-dimensional (2 D) visual effects. Your computer's video card and many software programs use DirectDraw to communicate with one another before sending the finished visual image to the monitor. Computer games, 2 D graphics packages, and Windows system features all use DirectDraw.
• DirectSound. This boosts the performance of audio effects on your computer and makes many subtle effects in audio mixing and playback possible. It provides a link between software programs and the hardware on your computer. DirectSound provides multimedia software programs, such as games and movies, with hardware acceleration, mixing capabilities, and access to the sound card.

Do I need DirectX?

Yes. DirectX allows you to use multimedia software with complex sounds or moving images. DirectX is included with this version of Windows and with most of the games that require it.

Where can I get DirectX?

DirectX comes standard with this version of Windows, and also comes with most of the games that require it.

Which version of DirectX do I have?

At a minimum on this version of Windows, you have DirectX 10.

To check which version of DirectX you have

1. Open DirectX Diagnostic Tool by clicking the Start button , typing dxdiag in the Search box, and then pressing ENTER.
2. Click the System tab, and then, under System Information, check the version number.

Can I uninstall DirectX?

No. It's an integral part of the Windows operating system and cannot be removed.

To run DirectX Diagnostic Tool

• Open DirectX Diagnostic Tool by clicking the Start button  , typing dxdiag in the Search box, and then pressing ENTER.

Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool to diagnose problems

Here are some of the things you should be looking for:

• Lack of hardware acceleration. Some programs run very slowly or not at all unless Microsoft DirectDraw or Direct3D hardware acceleration is available. Click the Display tab, and then under DirectX Features, check to see whether DirectDraw, Direct3D, or AGP Texture acceleration is marked Not Available. If so, you might consider upgrading your hardware. You might also need to turn on graphics acceleration.

To turn on graphics acceleration

1. Open Display Settings by clicking the Start button  , clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, clicking Personalization, and then clicking Display Settings.
2. Click Display Settings, and then click Advanced Settings.
3. Click the Troubleshoot tab, and then click Change Settings.   If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
4. Move the Hardware Acceleration slider to Full.

• Devices are not connected. If a joystick or other input device fails to respond, it may not be properly set up. Make sure the device is present on the Input tab of DirectX Diagnostic Tool. If not, reinstall the game controller or input device by unplugging it and then plugging it back in.

• Unsigned drivers are present. Microsoft has not tested unsigned drivers for full compatibility with the latest version of DirectX. We recommend that you use drivers that are digitally signed by Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL).

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