Bring up the “Run” window by pressing Win + R.ĭirectX is heavily involved in managing 3D graphics, sound, video, and even gamepad functionality when it comes to certain software and games.

To check your DirectX version, follow these steps: It’s worth noting that not all graphics cards are compatible with the latest version of DirectX, so the optimal version for your device might not be the newest. It’s one of the primary reasons Windows has such an overwhelming edge over other operating systems when it comes to running video games. PC gaming is more complex on account of the near-infinite number of combinations you can have when it comes to graphics cards and processors.ĭirectX allows the game to communicate directly with your machine’s hardware – the graphics card and processor – allowing the title to run at its best given the specs of your machine. An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules or procedures that allow computers or computer applications to communicate with one another.Ĭonsoles like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch all sport identical hardware across all their units, making it easier for developers to optimize their games since they just have to tweak the configurations to match the particular console’s specs. DirectX is a combination of APIs designed by Microsoft to handle a bunch of different tasks related primarily to gaming and multimedia.

Directx and runtime web installer