We understand how to find out which DirectX is installed

Perhaps there is no such computer owner who would not want to know the answer to the question about how to find out which DirectX is installed. However, not everyone wants to learn something new out of simple curiosity. Most often, this need is dictated by the features of the operation of a particular software product. Today we will answer the question of how to find out which DirectX is installed, therefore, regardless of the true reason, each will open several effective ways at once.

Remembering the past

Many still remember memories of the glorious times of DOS, when written programs could access the functions of devices connected to the computer directly. For example, knowing the data about the installed video card, the programmer could thus write code to work directly with the video adapter, bypassing the internal system of interrupts and queues. This allowed not only to significantly improve the performance of such programs, but also reduced the requirements for components. In 1995, the emergence of Windows put an end to this lack of standardization. Part of the operating system was a set of library files called DirectX, through which programs accessed devices. In other words, we had to forget about direct treatment bypassing the mechanisms. Although this unification proved to be very effective. Since then, the package has evolved from version 1.0 in Windows 95 to 11.2 in Win 8.1. Therefore, it is not always clear which DirectX is installed.

Strange moment

Why are users so interested in the question of how to know which DirectX is installed if the libraries are included in the system? Consider a simple example: in Windows 8 (built-in "DirectX" 11.1), a three-dimensional application created in the days of Windows XP (version 9 of the libraries) is launched. Obviously, the new system does not have to contain all the files of the obsolete version of the package. Partly they are present, but not completely. As a result, the application closes with a message about the failure. The solution is simple: you need to install the required version of the package. Then the necessary files will be integrated into the system. This will give greater compatibility. So, although the "DirectX" for "Winds-7" (11 version) is quite new, do not forget about the additional installation 9.x. Earlier releases are usually not required.

How to find out which DirectX is installed

But enough theory, it's time to move on to practice. Actually, it's very easy to determine the version. The first way is with the information module of the package that is included in all Windows. It is necessary to press the Win buttons (the "Windows" symbol is shown) and R. In the displayed line, type dxdiag and press Enter. In the "System" tab, the bottom line indicates the number of the installed version. Please note that if several packages are installed, the newest one is displayed (no overwriting, just adding). That is, in Windows Vista SP2 - 8.1 will be 11, in Win XP SP3 - 9. You can also find out the version in diagnostic programs. One of the most popular is AIDA64. After launching, you need to open the "Operating System" tab and proceed to the section with the same name. Here in the "Component Versions" block you can find DirectX. By the way, this program provides the ability to determine the version of the libraries that the video adapter supports in hardware. This information can be useful, for example, if you do not know if a new game will start on this configuration. Comparing the software requirements and the supported version, you can immediately get a response. Access to this function is provided in the DirectX tab, the "Video" section.