How to Check DirectX Version in Windows 10 and Windows 11 dxdiag

What Is DirectX in Windows and Why Should You Check Its Version?

DirectX is a collection of Microsoft multimedia and graphics technologies used by Windows games, 3D applications, video playback tools, emulators, and some professional rendering software. When a game says it requires DirectX 11 or DirectX 12, it means your Windows installation, graphics driver, and GPU must support the required DirectX runtime and hardware feature level.

Checking the DirectX version is useful when a game refuses to launch, shows a message such as "DirectX version not supported", crashes after startup, or asks you to update graphics components. It is also useful before installing demanding games that require DirectX 12, ray tracing, variable rate shading, or DirectX 12 Ultimate features.

Where Is DirectX Installed?

DirectX is built into modern versions of Windows. Windows 10 and Windows 11 include the DirectX runtime by default, so you normally do not install DirectX as a separate program. However, some older games may still require legacy DirectX components from the DirectX End-User Runtime package.

How to Check DirectX Version Using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

The fastest and most reliable way to check your DirectX version in Windows is to use the built-in DirectX Diagnostic Tool, also known as dxdiag. This tool displays the installed DirectX version, Windows build, BIOS information, processor, memory, display adapter, sound devices, and driver details.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type dxdiag and press Enter.
3. If Windows asks whether to check for digitally signed drivers, click Yes or No. Either option will still open the tool.
4. Stay on the System tab.
5. Look at the line named DirectX Version near the bottom of the System Information block.

Run commanddxdiag

What You Should See in dxdiag

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, the System tab commonly shows DirectX 12. This means the DirectX 12 runtime is available in Windows. To confirm whether your video card can actually use DirectX 12 features, open the Display tab and check the feature levels, as explained later in this guide.

How to Check DirectX and GPU Details from Windows Settings

Windows Settings does not always show a single line named "DirectX Version", but it can show useful graphics adapter information. This is helpful when you need to confirm which GPU is installed before checking DirectX support.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System → Display.
3. Scroll down and open Advanced display.
4. Check the display adapter name, monitor refresh rate, and adapter properties.
5. Click Display adapter properties if you need more driver and adapter details.

This method is not as complete as dxdiag, but it helps identify whether Windows is using the correct GPU. On laptops with both integrated and dedicated graphics, the active display may be connected to Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA graphics depending on the hardware design.

How to Find DirectX Version with PowerShell or Windows Terminal

If you prefer command-line tools, you can read DirectX information from the Windows Registry using PowerShell or Windows Terminal. This method is useful for remote checks, scripts, or quick system audits.

1. Right-click the Start button and choose Terminal or Windows PowerShell.
2. Run the following command:

PowerShellGet-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectX" | Select-Object Version

You may see a version string such as 4.09.00.0904. This registry value is mainly a legacy internal version number, so it is less user-friendly than dxdiag. For normal users, dxdiag remains the better method.

Open dxdiag from PowerShell

You can also launch the DirectX Diagnostic Tool directly from PowerShell:

PowerShelldxdiag

How to Check DirectX Version in Registry Editor

Advanced users can view DirectX information in Registry Editor. This method is not recommended for beginners because accidental registry changes can affect Windows stability, but simply viewing the value is safe if you do not edit anything.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Approve the UAC prompt if it appears.
3. Navigate to the following key:

Registry pathHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectX

4. Look for the value named Version in the right pane.
5. Do not change the value. Close Registry Editor after checking it.

How to Check DirectX Feature Levels for Your Graphics Card

Many users check DirectX because a game requires a specific feature level, such as 11_0, 11_1, 12_0, or 12_1. Feature levels describe what your graphics hardware and driver can actually do.

1. Press Win + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter.
2. Open the Display tab. On systems with multiple GPUs, you may see Display 1, Display 2, or Render tabs.
3. In the Drivers section, find Feature Levels.
4. Check whether the required level is listed. For example, if a game requires Feature Level 11_0, make sure 11_0 appears in the list.

DirectX Version vs Feature Level: What Is the Difference?

The DirectX Version shown on the System tab tells you which DirectX runtime is available in Windows. The Feature Levels shown on the Display tab tell you what graphics capabilities your GPU and driver expose to applications. A PC can have DirectX 12 installed but still fail to run a DirectX 12 game if the video card does not support the required feature level.

How to Check If Your PC Supports DirectX 12 Ultimate

DirectX 12 Ultimate is a feature set that includes modern graphics technologies such as hardware-accelerated ray tracing, mesh shaders, sampler feedback, and variable rate shading. Seeing DirectX 12 in dxdiag does not automatically mean DirectX 12 Ultimate is supported.

To check support:

1. Open dxdiag.
2. Go to the Display tab for your main GPU.
3. Look for DirectX 12 Ultimate in the Drivers section.
4. If it says Enabled, the GPU and driver support DirectX 12 Ultimate.
5. If it says Disabled or the line is missing, your hardware or driver may not support it.

Best Ways to Check DirectX Version in Windows: Method Comparison

What to Do If DirectX Version or Feature Levels Look Wrong

If dxdiag shows an unexpected DirectX version, missing feature levels, or an old driver model, the problem is usually related to graphics drivers, Windows updates, remote desktop sessions, virtual machines, or unsupported hardware.

1. Update Your Graphics Driver

Install the latest driver for your GPU from the official NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel website. After installation, restart the computer and check dxdiag again.

2. Install Windows Updates

Open Settings → Windows Update and install all available updates. DirectX components are serviced through Windows Update in modern Windows versions.

3. Make Sure the Game Uses the Correct GPU

On laptops, a game may start on the integrated GPU instead of the dedicated one. Go to Settings → System → Display → Graphics, add the game, and set it to High performance.

4. Check Whether You Are Using a Virtual Machine or Remote Session

Virtual machines and remote desktop sessions may expose a virtual display adapter that supports fewer graphics features than your physical GPU. For accurate checks, run dxdiag directly on the local PC.

5. Install Legacy DirectX Components for Older Games

Some older games need legacy DirectX 9 components even on Windows 10 or Windows 11. In that case, installing the older runtime package can fix errors such as missing d3dx9_43.dll, xinput1_3.dll, or XAudio2_7.dll. This does not replace DirectX 12; it only adds older optional components used by legacy software.

FAQ: Checking DirectX Version in Windows

Best Way to Check DirectX Version in Windows

The best way to check the DirectX version in Windows 10 or Windows 11 is to run DirectX Diagnostic Tool with the dxdiag command. The System tab shows the installed DirectX version, while the Display tab shows the GPU driver, feature levels, and DirectX 12 Ultimate status.