DirectX 11 for Windows

DirectX 11 is a version of DirectX, Microsoft's collection of multimedia and graphics APIs for Windows. Games and apps use it to talk to the graphics card and sound hardware, and if a game asks for it you can download DirectX 11 components from Microsoft or get them through Windows Update.

What is DirectX 11?

DirectX is not one program but a set of interfaces that sit between software and hardware. The family has existed since September 30, 1995, and is built on Microsoft's Component Object Model. The Direct3D 11 part of this version handles 3D graphics, and it remains a common requirement for PC games: a game compiled for Direct3D 11 needs a graphics card and driver that support it and the matching runtime files on the system. Microsoft describes the changes of this generation on its page What's new in Direct3D 11. For a player, the practical meaning is simple: if the game's box or store page says DirectX 11, the PC must meet that requirement before the game will start.

How do I check which DirectX version I have?

1. Press Win + R, type dxdiag and press Enter.
2. Wait for the DirectX Diagnostic Tool to collect information.
3. Look at the DirectX Version line in the System Information section of the report.
4. On the Display tab, check the driver details for your graphics card.

Where do I download DirectX 11?

On current versions of Windows, DirectX is part of the operating system and is updated through Windows Update, as Microsoft Support explains. Older games may also need extra runtime files, which Microsoft offers on its DirectX download page. There is also a separate Microsoft download linked to this version. The package in catalogue data is about 95.99 MB. Do not use DLL download sites: they are a common source of malware.

A game says a DirectX file is missing. What now?

Install the runtime from Microsoft, then run Windows Update and update the graphics driver from the manufacturer of your card. If the error remains, reinstall the game, because many installers include the runtime they need. Copying a single DLL from the internet into the game folder is risky and rarely fixes the cause.

Is DirectX 11 free and safe?

Yes. DirectX is free and distributed by Microsoft under its licence agreement. Installed from microsoft.com or through Windows Update it is safe. Developers can also find related headers in the DirectX-Headers repository.

Pros and cons

• Pro: widely required by PC games.
• Pro: free from Microsoft.
• Pro: updated with Windows itself.
• Con: confusing mix of built-in and extra runtime files.
• Con: older hardware may not support it.

Alternatives and related versions

Our listings also include DirectX 12, DirectX 10, DirectX 9.0c and the DirectX Runtime package for older games.