This post provides a detailed guide for DirectX 12 (Ultimate) download for Windows 10 or Windows 11. It also introduces what is DirectX 12, DirectX 12 Ultimate, DirectX 12 (Ultimate) requirements, how to install the latest version of DirectX, and how to update the drivers for your DirectX 12 (Ultimate). For more computer tips and tricks, please visit MiniTool Software website.
DirectX 12 (Ultimate) Download for Windows 10/11 PC
There are no standalone packages for DirectX 12 or DirectX 12 Ultimate. To download and install the latest version of DirectX 12 (Ultimate) on Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can use Windows Update. The DirectX update will come along with Windows Update. Check the detailed guides below.
For Windows 10:
If you are running on Windows 10 OS, then you’ve already installed DirectX 12. But if the version of your DirectX is not DirectX 12 or you want to download DirectX 12 Ultimate on Windows 10, you can follow the instructions below.
Step 1. Press Windows + R, type winver, and press Enter to check which version of Windows 10 is installed on your computer.
If your Windows 10 version is Version 2004 or higher, then you can download DirectX 12 Ultimate on your computer. If your OS version number is lower than 2004, then you can only get DirectX 12 downloaded on your Windows 10 computer.
Step 2. Then click Start -> Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update, and click Check for updates button. Windows will automatically download and display newer versions of Windows 10. You can update your Windows 10 OS to a newer version that is higher than Version 2004.
To check your current Windows 10 version after Windows Update, you can type winver in Run dialog again.
Step 3. After updating Windows 10 to a higher version than 2004, you have downloaded and installed DirectX 12 Ultimate on your Windows 10 computer.
For Windows 11:
DirectX 12 Ultimate feature will be built in Windows 11. To download and install DirectX 12 Ultimate latest version, you can still use Windows Update.
Just click Start -> Settings -> Windows Update -> Check for updates to do it.
To check your current DirectX version, you can press Windows + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool, you can see DirectX 12 next to DirectX Version although the DirectX 12 Ultimate has been already installed.
What Is DirectX 12 (Ultimate)?
What is DirectX 12?
Microsoft DirectX APIs (application programming interfaces) is a set of software components on Windows platforms that allow software or games to work efficiently with your video and audio hardware. It is specially used for dealing with tasks related to games, videos, other multimedia on Windows PCs and laptops. The latest version of DirectX 12 is released on May 19, 2019. Windows 10 OS supports DirectX 12.
What is DirectX 12 Ultimate?
DirectX 12 Ultimate is the newest version of DirectX.
DirectX 12 Ultimate is the exclusive software component of Windows 11. It takes games to a new level and provides a new standard for the next generation of games. DirectX 12 Ultimate in Windows 11 provides new features like ray tracing, variable rate shading, mesh shaders, and sampler feedback.
DirectX 12 Ultimate requirements:
Currently, only the GeForce RTX series graphics PCs support the DirectX 12 Ultimate gaming features.
DirectX 12 Ultimate supported graphics cards: GeForce RTX 3090, 3080 (Ti), 3070 (Ti), 3060 (Ti), RTX 30/20 series laptops, TITAN RTX, 2080 (Ti), 2080 Super, 2070 (Ti), 2070 Super, 2060, 2060 Super.
Only Windows 10 version 2004 (also Windows 10 May 2020 Update) or higher versions support the complete set of DirectX 12 Ultimate features.
For developers, after you update Windows 10 to the latest version, you still need to install Visual Studio, Windows 10 SDK, related drivers and hardware, PIX, etc. to use DirectX 12 Ultimate features for your programs.
Fix Your System Does Not Support DirectX 12 Ultimate
If your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer doesn’t support DirectX 12 Ultimate, then you can try to update your system and download DirectX 12 Ultimate by following the guide above. Still, check your graphics card to see if it supports DirectX 12 Ultimate or not. The supported graphics cards are listed above.
How to Update the Drivers for DirectX 12 (Ultimate)
To get the best gaming performance, it’s advised you update your graphics card driver to the latest version. You can do this through Windows Update. The guide is included above.
Alternatively, you can also update driver in Device Manager.
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters.
- Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will automatically download and install the available latest version of your graphics card.
Bottom Line
This tutorial provides a DirectX 12 (Ultimate) download guide for Windows 10/11 and gives some explanation for DirectX 12 and DirectX 12 Ultimate, hope it helps.