DirectX a software package where provides multimedia related functionalities, libraries, and applications in Windows operating systems. Generally, DirectX provides different functionalities for audio and video with some game accessories. In this tutorial, we will learn how to update DirectX in Windows operating systems.
Why Update DirectX?
DirectX is a core component of the Windows operating systems. So all Windows Desktop operating systems come with DirectX preinstalled. So why update it? There may be different reasons like;
- Some DirectX problems may exist like a graphics driver, sound settings.
dsetup.dllcouldn’t be found an error.
DirectX Versions
DirectX is used for a long time. During the time there is a different version of the DirectX. These provide different options and features for the underlying operating system.
DirectX 1.0is the first version and released in 1995.DirectX 2.0supports few 3rd party applications and released in 1996DirectX 3.0supports Windows NT and released in 1996.DirectX 4.0is newer released where its features are merged with version 5.0DirectX 5.0was supporting Windows 2000 and released in 1997DirectX 6.0supports Dreamcast and released in 1998.DirectX 7.0supports Windows 200 and released in 2000.DirectX 8.0aended support for Windows 95 and released in 2001DirectX 9.0is one of the most popular releases where it is released in 2002. It supports 64 bit.DirectX 10.0supports Windows Vista and released in 2006DirectX 11.0supports Windows 7 and Windows Server R2 and released in 2009DirectX 11.1supports Windows 8, Windows Server 2012 and, released in 2012.-
DirectX 12.0supports Windows 10, DirectX Raytracing, Programmable MSAA and released 2015
Find Currently Installed DirectX Version
Before installing an update for the DirectX we may need to find currently installed DirectX version. We can find currently installed the DirectX version from the DirectX Diagnostic Tool with the dxdiag command from the command line or Windows Run. This will work for all major Windows operating systems like Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019
Or from Windows Run Menu
This command will open the following DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
DirectX version will be provided at the end of the screen with the DirectX Version line which is DirectX 12 in this example.
Update or Install Latest DirectX with Windows Update Packages
DirectX can be updated in different ways by using the Microsoft Update site. Here are some ways to update DirectX for different Windows Versions.
Update with Windows Update Packages
We can install and update DirectX with the Windows Update packages. As different versions of the Windows comes with different DirectX version we have to use different Windows Update Package.
Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016
Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 comes with the DirectX version 11.3 and DirectX 12. There is no separate update package for these operating systems. Updates can be obtained with the Windows Update.
Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 and R2
Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, R2 comes with DirectX 11.0. There is no separate update package for these operating systems. Updates can be obtained with the Windows Update.
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 comes with DirectX 10. We can update to DirectX version 11.1 with the following update package.
http://www.microsoft.com/tr-tr/download/details.aspx?id=36805
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 comes with DirectX 10. We can update to DirectX version 11.0 with the following update package.
https://support.microsoft.com/tr-tr/help/971512
Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 comes with DirectX 8.0. We can update to the DirectX 9.0c with the following update package.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=34429
Update or Install Latest DirectX with Windows Update
Windows Update is the most convenient and easy way to update DirectX. We can update DirectX from the Windows update without extra effort. Just open the Control Panel -> WindowsUpdate from all major Windows operating system versions. Then Check Updates which will get the latest update information from Windows Servers. Then simply Install listed updates where DirectX update will be provided automatically too.
Update or Install Latest DirectX With DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer
We can update DirectX with a Web Installer where a small installation file will be downloaded from Microsoft and the installation file will download and install the DirectX update. We can access DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from the following link.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35
In this page we will click to the Download. If we want more details about the installation we can look Details, System Requirements etc.
We will see the following screen where it will propose us to install some third-party optional apps from Microsoft. I will deselect then and click to the No thanks button like below.
The web based DirectX installer and updater file will be downloaded automatically which is named as dxwebsetup.exe.
We may seen a screen like below according to our operating system and SmartScreen usage. If we see click to the Run.
We will be asked for the Administrative rights where we will accept by clicking to the Yes
Now the DirectX installation or update process begins where we will see the following screen. We will accept the license agreement and click to the Next.
Then we will see the following screen which will provide information about download size and components. We will click to the Next
The download will start and information about the download will be shown on the screen like Estimated downloading time left, Downloaded component etc.
After the download is completed the components will be installed with the operation name Installing Components.
When the installation is completed we will see the following Installation Complete screen.
