How to Update DirectX Settings

Microsoft DirectX is a set of Application Programming Interfaces (API) required for running the multimedia features on Windows. It is most commonly used with gaming and video applications. There is no way to access or make changes to individual DirectX settings, nor are users allowed to uninstall DirectX. However, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure you are running the correct version of DirectX. This wikiHow teaches you how to update DirectX on your System.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Checking Your Version of DirectX

  1. Image titled Update DirectX Settings Step 1
    1
    Click the Windows Start menu
    Windows Start
    .     It's the button that has a Windows icon in the taskbar. By default, it's in the lower-left corner of your desktop.
  2. Image titled Update DirectX Settings Step 2
    2
    Type dxdiag. This displays a list of matching applications in the Windows Start menu.
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  3. Image titled Update DirectX Settings Step 3
    3
    Click dxdiag. It's next to a purple icon with a yellow "X". It's at the top of the Windows Start menu. This displays the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
  4. Image titled Update DirectX Settings Step 4
    4
    Click the System tab. It's the first tab at the top of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window. This displays the "System Information" list.
  5. Image titled Update DirectX Settings Step 5
    5
    Check your version of DirectX. It's next to "DirectX Version" at the bottom of the "System Information" list. The latest version of DirectX is DirectX 12.
    • Click the other tabs at the top of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, and then look at the box at the bottom of the window to see if there are any detected problems with DirectX.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Update DirectX

  1. Image titled Update DirectX Settings Step 6
    1
    Click the Windows Start menu
    Windows Start
    .     It's the button that has a Windows icon in the taskbar. By default, it's in the lower-left corner of your desktop.
  2. Image titled Update DirectX Settings Step 7
    2
    Click Settings
    Windows Settings
    icon.     It's the icon that resembles a gear on the left side the Windows Start menu. This displays the Windows Settings.
  3. Image titled Update DirectX Settings Step 8
    3
    Click the Windows & Security
    Windows Update = Windows
    option.     It's the last option on the Windows Settings page. It's next to an icon that resembles two arching arrows that form a circle.
  4. Image titled Update DirectX Settings Step 9
    4
    Click Check for updates. It's the grey button at the top of the "Windows Update" page. This checks for updates and downloads and installs any needed updates on your Windows computer.
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References

  1. [1]
  2. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=2DA43D38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3&displaylang=en
  3. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/resultsForCategory.aspx?displaylang=en&categoryid=2
  4. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/learn-how-to-install-windows-xp-service-pack-3-sp3

About This Article

Travis Boylls
Written by:
Travis Boylls
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms. He studied graphic design at Pikes Peak Community College. This article has been viewed 72,749 times.
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Co-authors: 12
Updated: June 4, 2020
Views: 72,749
Categories: Windows
Article SummaryX

1. Click the Windows Start button.
2. Click the Settings button, which resembles a gear.
3. Click Windows & Security.
4. Click Check for Updates.

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