Windows Guide · DirectX Runtime

How to Download and Install DirectX in Windows 10 and Windows 11 DirectX

A practical guide to updating DirectX, installing legacy DirectX components for older games, checking your DirectX version, and fixing common installation errors.

⏱ 6 min read 🪟 Windows 10 🪟 Windows 11 🎮 Games & graphics
Overview

What Is DirectX in Windows and Do You Need to Download It?

DirectX is a set of Microsoft multimedia components used by Windows games, 3D applications, emulators, video tools, audio engines, and graphics software. It helps programs communicate with your video card, sound device, input devices, and other multimedia hardware.

On modern Windows versions, DirectX is not a normal standalone application. Windows 10 and Windows 11 already include the current DirectX runtime, and Microsoft services it through Windows Update. In most cases, you do not manually install DirectX 12 by downloading a separate package.

ℹ️
Key point If you are using Windows 10 or Windows 11, the correct way to update the main DirectX runtime is to install Windows updates. The separate DirectX End-User Runtime installer is mainly for older games that require legacy DirectX SDK components such as D3DX9, XAudio 2.7, or XInput 1.3.

When You Actually Need the DirectX Installer

You may need the official DirectX End-User Runtime package if an older game or program shows errors such as missing d3dx9_43.dll, d3dx10_43.dll, d3dx11_43.dll, xinput1_3.dll, or XAudio2_7.dll. Installing that package does not downgrade or replace DirectX 12. It only adds optional side-by-side legacy libraries used by older software.

Best for Windows 10/11

Windows Update

Updates the main DirectX runtime together with Windows system components.

Recommended
Best for old games

DirectX Web Installer

Downloads and installs missing legacy DirectX SDK libraries from Microsoft.

Legacy components
Best offline option

June 2010 Redist

Contains the legacy runtime files in a larger offline redistributable package.

Offline install
Before installing

How to Check Your DirectX Version Before Downloading Anything

Before you install anything, check which DirectX version Windows already reports. The built-in DirectX Diagnostic Tool, also called dxdiag, is the fastest way to do it.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type dxdiag and press Enter.
  3. If Windows asks whether to check for digitally signed drivers, choose Yes.
  4. On the System tab, find the line named DirectX Version.
  5. For GPU capabilities, open the Display tab and check Feature Levels.
Run commanddxdiag
✅
Expected result On Windows 10 and Windows 11, you will usually see DirectX 12 on the System tab. That does not automatically mean every DirectX 12 game will run, because the graphics card must also support the required feature level.
Method 1

How to Install the Latest DirectX Version in Windows 10 and Windows 11

The safest way to install or update the latest DirectX version in modern Windows is Windows Update. This updates the core DirectX runtime, graphics-related system files, security fixes, and compatibility components that Microsoft distributes with Windows.

  1. Open Settings with Win + I.
  2. Go to Windows Update.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. Install all available cumulative updates, optional platform updates, and driver updates that you trust.
  5. Restart the computer when Windows asks you to do so.
  6. Run dxdiag again and check the DirectX Version line.
Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
ℹ️
DirectX 12 note There is no separate official DirectX 12 installer for Windows 10 or Windows 11. If a website offers a random “DirectX 12 download” executable, avoid it and use Windows Update or Microsoft’s official DirectX End-User Runtime page instead.

Install Optional Updates Only When Needed

Windows Update may also show optional display driver updates. Install them only if you need a compatibility fix or if your current driver is outdated. For gaming PCs, the newest driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel is often a better choice than an older optional driver offered through Windows Update.

Method 2

How to Download DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft

If an older game asks for DirectX 9, DirectX 10-era files, or a missing DirectX DLL, use the official DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft. This small installer downloads the required legacy components during setup.

  1. Open the official Microsoft Download Center page for DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer.
  2. Click Download.
  3. Save the installer, usually named dxwebsetup.exe.
  4. Right-click the file and choose Run as administrator.
  5. Accept the license agreement.
  6. When offered additional bundled software, decline it if you do not need it.
  7. Let the installer download and install the required legacy DirectX components.
  8. Restart Windows if the installer or the game recommends it.
Typical installer filedxwebsetup.exe
⚠️
What it does not do The web installer does not replace DirectX 12 and does not change the DirectX version shown by Windows. It adds older optional libraries that some legacy games still require.

Which Problems Can the Web Installer Fix?

The DirectX web installer is useful when a program fails because a legacy DirectX file is missing. It is not a general fix for every graphics problem. If a modern DirectX 12 game says your GPU is unsupported, the issue is usually the graphics driver, the GPU feature level, or the hardware itself.

Method 3

How to Install DirectX Offline with the June 2010 Runtime Package

If the target PC has no internet connection during installation, use the official DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) redistributable package. It is much larger than the web installer because it contains the legacy components locally.

  1. On a PC with internet access, download DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) from Microsoft.
  2. Copy the file, usually named directx_Jun2010_redist.exe, to the target computer.
  3. Create a temporary folder, for example C:\DirectX.
  4. Run the downloaded redistributable and extract its files to that folder.
  5. Open the extracted folder.
  6. Run DXSETUP.exe as administrator.
  7. Follow the installation wizard and restart Windows if required.
Typical offline installation flowdirectx_Jun2010_redist.exe
Extract to C:\DirectX
Run C:\DirectX\DXSETUP.exe
✅
Good offline option Use the June 2010 redistributable when you need to install older DirectX components on a PC without internet access, on a gaming build, or on a repaired Windows installation where older games fail to start.
GPU support

How to Check DirectX Feature Levels After Installation

Installing DirectX components does not magically add graphics features to an older video card. Many games require a specific DirectX feature level, such as 11_0, 12_0, or 12_1. Feature levels depend on your GPU hardware and driver.

  1. Press Win + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter.
  2. Open the Display tab. On some systems, there may be several Display or Render tabs.
  3. Find the Drivers section.
  4. Check the Feature Levels line.
  5. Compare the listed values with the requirements of your game or application.
What you see What it means What to do
DirectX 12 on System tab Windows has the DirectX 12 runtime available. Check the Display tab to confirm actual GPU feature levels.
Feature Level 12_0 or 12_1 The GPU and driver expose DirectX 12-class features. Install the latest GPU driver if a game still fails.
Only 10_0 or 11_0 The GPU may be too old for some modern games. Update the driver, then check whether the game requires newer hardware.
No Display tab or basic adapter Windows may be using a generic display driver. Install the correct Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA graphics driver.
⚠️
Important If a game requires Feature Level 12_0 and your GPU only lists 11_0, installing the DirectX runtime will not solve the hardware limitation. You need a compatible driver and, in some cases, a newer graphics card.
Drivers

Update Graphics Drivers After Installing DirectX

DirectX works together with the graphics driver. If DirectX is installed but games still crash, stutter, show black screens, or report unsupported hardware, update your GPU driver.

🟦

Intel Graphics

Use Intel Driver & Support Assistant or the driver page for your laptop or motherboard model.

🟩

NVIDIA GeForce

Use the NVIDIA App, GeForce Experience, or the official NVIDIA driver download page.

🟥

AMD Radeon

Use AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition or the driver page for your specific GPU model.

  1. Identify your GPU in Task Manager → Performance → GPU or in dxdiag.
  2. Download the latest driver from the GPU manufacturer or your laptop manufacturer.
  3. Install the driver and choose a clean installation option if the installer provides one.
  4. Restart Windows.
  5. Run dxdiag again and recheck the Display tab.
ℹ️
Laptop advice For laptops, the safest driver is often the one from the laptop manufacturer, especially if the device uses switchable graphics. If the laptop vendor driver is very old, try the Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD driver only after creating a restore point.
Troubleshooting

How to Fix Common DirectX Installation and Missing DLL Errors

DirectX errors can be caused by missing legacy libraries, outdated GPU drivers, damaged Windows components, blocked installers, or hardware that does not support the required feature level. Use the table below to choose the right fix.

Error or symptom Likely cause Recommended fix
d3dx9_43.dll is missing Legacy DirectX 9 component is missing. Install the official DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer.
xinput1_3.dll is missing Older XInput runtime required by a game is absent. Install the legacy DirectX runtime from Microsoft.
DXSETUP.exe failed Damaged installer cache, blocked setup, or insufficient permissions. Run as administrator, temporarily disable third-party security blocking, and use the offline package.
Game says DirectX 12 is not supported GPU feature level or driver does not meet the requirement. Update the GPU driver and check Feature Levels in dxdiag.
DirectX installer says a newer version is installed Windows already has the main DirectX runtime. Use Windows Update for the core runtime; install only legacy components if an older game needs them.

Repair Windows System Files

If DirectX-related errors appear after malware removal, a failed update, or a disk problem, repair the Windows component store and system files.

Command Prompt as AdministratorDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

Clear Temporary Installer Files

If the installer repeatedly fails, delete temporary extraction folders created by the DirectX setup, reboot, and run the installer again as administrator. Do not delete random files from System32 or SysWOW64.

Safety

What You Should Not Download When Installing DirectX

DirectX is a common target for misleading download pages. Avoid unofficial installers, individual DLL downloads, driver bundles from unknown websites, and “DirectX repair” tools that promise to replace Windows system files.

Safe options

  • Windows Update for the built-in DirectX runtime.
  • Microsoft Download Center for DirectX End-User Runtime.
  • Official NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, or laptop manufacturer GPU drivers.
  • dxdiag for checking DirectX version and feature levels.

Avoid

  • Random “DirectX 12 full installer” files from third-party sites.
  • Single DLL downloads such as d3dx9_43.dll from unknown pages.
  • Registry hacks that claim to force a newer DirectX version.
  • Driver packs that install unrelated software or browser extensions.
⛔
Do not copy DLL files manually Copying individual DirectX DLL files into a game folder or Windows system folder can create version conflicts and security risks. Use the official runtime installer instead.
FAQ

FAQ: Downloading and Installing DirectX in Windows

Q Can I download DirectX 12 manually for Windows 11? ▼
No separate DirectX 12 installer is normally needed for Windows 11. The main DirectX runtime is included with Windows and updated through Windows Update. Use the DirectX End-User Runtime only when an older game needs legacy DirectX components.
Q Why does an old game ask for DirectX 9 if I already have DirectX 12? ▼
DirectX 12 does not automatically include every optional file from older DirectX SDK releases. Some older games require side-by-side libraries such as D3DX9, XAudio 2.7, or XInput 1.3. Installing the official DirectX End-User Runtime adds those components without replacing DirectX 12.
Q Does installing DirectX improve FPS? ▼
Usually no. DirectX installation fixes missing runtime components, but performance depends mostly on your GPU, CPU, RAM, storage, game settings, and graphics driver. Updating the GPU driver may improve performance more than reinstalling DirectX.
Q Can I uninstall DirectX and reinstall it? ▼
The DirectX runtime is part of Windows and is not designed to be uninstalled like a normal program. To repair DirectX-related Windows files, use Windows Update, DISM, sfc /scannow, and the official legacy runtime package if needed.
Q Which DirectX installer should I use for a PC without internet? ▼
Use the official DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) redistributable package. Download it on another computer, copy it to the offline PC, extract it, and run DXSETUP.exe.
Q Why does dxdiag show DirectX 12 but my game still will not start? ▼
The game may require a specific GPU feature level, not just the DirectX runtime. Open dxdiag, go to the Display tab, and check Feature Levels. If the required feature level is missing, update the driver or use a compatible graphics card.
Summary

Best Way to Download and Install DirectX in Windows

For Windows 10 and Windows 11, the best way to install the latest DirectX runtime is to update Windows. If an older game reports missing DirectX DLL files, download the official DirectX End-User Runtime from Microsoft. If the PC is offline, use the June 2010 redistributable package and run DXSETUP.exe.

⚡ Quick Recap

Latest DirectX for Windows 10/11: Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
Check installed version: Win + R → dxdiag → Enter
Fix missing legacy DLLs: install Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime
Offline legacy install: extract directx_Jun2010_redist.exe and run DXSETUP.exe
Modern game still fails: update the GPU driver and check DirectX Feature Levels