DirectX is basically a tool designed for windows in order to diagnose troubleshooting and identify problems with your PC’s audio, video, or other multimedia applications. So, the tool collects information about your PC’s devices and helps you figure out and solve the problems with DirectX sound and video.
It is particularly important for gamers to make use of DirectX’s multimedia and video APIs in Windows. DirectX Diagnostic Tool offers an array of information about DirectX as well as some basic diagnostic tests to help you diagnose the software. This is a great way to find out what DirectX version you are running, or even show diagnostic information if you want to troubleshoot.
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How to Use the DirectX Tool?
Go to your Windows’s search menu and type dxdiag.exe and when you see the tool in the list, click n it t open. If you’re using the tool for the very first time, you’ll be asked if you want to see if your drivers are signed by Microsoft. You can simply click “Yes” and move forward.
By clicking yes, it does not affect you, drivers, in any way. You’ll keep using the ones that you’ve been using previously. Basically, the signed drivers are more stable, hence it only lets you know if the drivers are signed by Microsoft or not.
After checking the drivers, the tool opens up the system menu for you. This window contains all the general information about your:
- System
- Display
- Sound
- Input
System Tab
When you first open the DirectX tool, it directly opens up to the system tab. This tab includes general info about your system, such as the Drivers installed, Operating System, Language, Memory, Processor, etc. If you’re aware of what problem is your computer facing, then you may choose the related tab out of the ones present next to the system tab. If not, you can simply click on “Next Page” to access each page in a sequence.
Display Tab
Next to the system tabs, is present the Display tab. There could be one or more display tabs according to your computer’s display connections. Your graphics adapter/monitor is displayed in the Display tab. The display tab basically shows which DirectX features are enabled as well as information about your graphics drivers.
You will receive a message in the “Notes Box” that would be notifying you of any audio issues detected by DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
Sound Tab
The sound tab is obviously related to the sound system of your PC. You can easily find detailed information about the sound hardware, drivers, and output devices you’re using in the Sound tab of the diagnostic tool.
You will receive a message in the “Notes Box” that would be notifying you of any audio issues detected by DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
Input Tab
The last tab of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window is the Input Tab. This tab includes information about your computer’s input devices, such as the keyboard and mouse as well as the USB controllers those devices are connected to. A device’s status, controller ID, vendor ID, and vendor name can all be found in the information.
You will receive a message in the “Notes Box” that would be notifying you of any audio issues detected by DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
In all these tabs, the DirectX tool contains an option to Save All Information. This information can be saved as a text file that can then be shared with others. When interacting with the Microsoft Staff, you may be asked for your DirectX information by Microsoft support personnel or application developers or even by those looking at help forums online. So, this feature greatly helps in that case.
All you have to do is click on the “Save All Information” and save the text file anywhere on your computer.
4 Ways to Access DirectX in Windows 10
There are four different ways to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool for Windows 10. You can use any of these at your convenience.
1: Searching Through the Start Menu
This is the most common way to open DirectX.
- Go to the search bar and type “dxdiag”.
- It will automatically appear in the list. Click on it and start using it.
2: Searching Through the Command Prompt
To open DirectX by using the CMD,
- Go to the search bar and type “CMD”.
- The “CMD” or “Command Prompt” option will appear in the list.
- Simply click on it and type “dxdiag.exe” and press Enter.
- This would take you directly to the DirectX Tool.
3: Via Run
To visit the DirectX tool via Run operation:
- Press Windows + R A Run window will open.
- Type “dxdiag” and click on OK. That’s it.
4: Through Windows PowerShell
To open it through the windows PowerShell,
- Search for “Windows PowerShell” in the search bar.
- When you see it, open it.
- Type “dxdiag” and hit Enter from your keyboard.
What’s the Benefit of Using DirectX?
This tool ensures that DirectX is installed correctly and running, and lets you see what multimedia and video drivers and devices exist on your computer. In addition to allowing for easy storage and distribution of this information, the tool allows for direct sharing as well. A text file containing all the information can be saved and shared with others.
Conclusion
DirectX is a nice tool for checking if your computer’s audio, video, and other multimedia things are doing fine or not. You may further look for solutions; in case you find a problem.
If your computer is running DirectX version 5.0 or earlier, then Windows may not find the dxdiag program. If this is the case, you will need to download and install the latest version of DirectX.
FAQ’s