It so happened that modern computer games and multimedia are impossible without DirectX, such a computer technology. It is needed by both hardware manufacturers and developers of various multimedia applications and games. But ordinary users, in turn, will not be able to run these applications and games if DirectX is not installed on the computer.
Before DirectX was invented, game developers, for example, had to provide each game with a different driver that made it possible to interface with video adapters, which was necessary for the program to run smoothly. DirectX made things a lot easier. An important reconciliation function is now performed by a set of libraries.
DirectX is a software wrapper for a set of API functions that bind the computer's operating system and devices to installed programs. It performs a kind of interface function between computer devices and programs. You can also denote that DirectX is a collection of COM-compatible objects.
In turn, COM is an object-oriented and independent technology designed to create binary components that are used both locally and in a networked distributed environment. This technology allows objects to interact and does not restrict them by process boundaries. By the way, various modern computer products have been created on the basis of COM, for example, MS Office.
DirectX includes such tools as DirectSound, DirectDraw, Directlnput, DirectAnimation, DirectPlay, DirectMusic, DirectShow, Direct3D. Each of them is needed for a specific object. For example, DirectDraw is needed for processing 2D images, while DirectSound is responsible for mixing and 3D audio.
The DirectX package is available on the Microsoft website, and for free use. In addition, it often comes with multimedia applications and games. However, given that DirectX is updated frequently, the version on the installation disc may need to be updated.
How can I find out which version of DirectX is installed on your computer?
It's pretty straightforward. Click the Start menu, then select Run and write in the small dxdiag window that opens (sometimes it can be highlighted immediately after opening) and Ok. This starts the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. By the way, besides the DirectX version, here you can see some computer data.
How can DirectX be updated?
To install a new version of DirectX, you can go to the Microsoft Download Center at //www.microsoft.com/games/en-US/aboutGFW/pages/directx.aspx, Here you should select the latest, that is, the most recent version, then go to to the download page, click on download and save.
How do I install DirectX?
Installing DirectX is also straightforward. After you have downloaded the directx_feb2010_redist.exe file, open it. The DirectX Feb2010 Redistributable window will appear, in which you should click Yes, that is, accept the license agreement. Next, on the C drive, you need to create a temporary folder to unpack the file. Then in the window that appears for installation, press the Browse button, select the created folder on C and OK. after the archive is unpacked, go to the folder, run the DXSETUP.exe file.
Now let's install DirectX directly. To do this, in the Microsoft (R) DirectX (R) Installation window, put a checkmark in front of the I accept the terms of this agreement and click Next. For a while - and DirectX was installed. Click Finish and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Can I uninstall the new version of DirectX and install the old one?
The fact is that Microsoft has officially announced that DirectX cannot be removed. It is only possible to update the version to a newer one. But removing DirectX and installing an older one is impossible. Meanwhile, there is still a program that allows you to do this. It's called DirectX Eradictor. After you uninstall DirectX, you need to restart your computer. Therefore, all DirectX files are removed along with cleaning the registry.After that, you can safely install the older version. A similar program is DirectX Killer 1.0.
What systems are supported by different DirectX?
DirectX 9 supports Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Vista. In turn DirectX 10 - only Windows Vista and Windows 7.
