You Will Get DirectX 11.2 Only With Windows 8.1

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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DirectX11.2 is currently the latest version ofDirectXand many of you are wondering how to get it if you’re not runningWindows 8.1. The harsh truth is that you can’t; read to find out moreDirectX11.2is the latest version of the popular graphics software. Many folks all over the world are acquainted withDirectXbecause it was one of those annoying programs you had to install sometimes before playing a game. Not many know what it means exactly, but almost everybody has heard about it. And chances are, albeit slim, that when you will play a certain game, you will be asked to download the latest version ofDirectX, which is 11.2 (or 12 forWindows 10users).

But you will be extremely disappointed to find out that this is going to beEXCLUSIVE toWindows 8.1and next-generation consoles. Initially, it was thought that only theXbox Onewould’ve get it. This information has been made public atMicrosoft‘s Build event which ends today, so hurry up to catch a live stream while you still can.

You can read all the details aboutDirectX11.2 onMicrosoft’s websiteif you’re interested in detailed technical specifications.Microsoft‘s decision to releaseDirectX11.2 exclusively on theWindows 8.1is obviously a move meant to force users to upgrade toWindows 8.1.

Therefore, it might not seem such a good idea anymore touninstall Windows 8.1despite itsannoying errorsin its current preview state.

Want DirectX 11.2? Get Windows 8.1

Although it might seem like an incremental update,DirectX11.2 is actually a big deal, especially for developers and programmers. The tiled resources ability is meant to augment the number of details on-screen, so it’s a very importanttoolfor developing and even consuming apps and games, as I see it (correct me if I’m wrong). Gareth Halfacree with Bit-Techdoesa much better job explaining this than myself:

Designed to allow a game to use both system RAM and graphics RAM to store textures, Leblond claimed that tiled resources will enableDirectX 11.2 games tovastly improvethe resolution of textures displayed in-game. By way of proof, Leblond showed off a demonstration that used a claimed 9GB of texture data – the majority of which was held in system RAM, rather than graphics RAM.

It’s a clever trick, and one that could helpboost the quality of futurePCgames– but it’s one that will require those who have yet to take the plunge to upgrade theiroperating systems. Leblond confirmed that Direct3D 11.2 will be the first version of the API to support tiled resources, and that it will be exclusive toWindows 8.1on thePCas well as featuring inMicrosoft’snext-generationXbox Oneconsole.

You should also know thatDirectX 11.2 won’t come toWindows 8at all if that wasn’t made clear from the beginning.Windows 8users currently haveDirectX 11.1 at their disposal.Windows 8.1users (don’t forget thatthis is still a preview) will be able to get the official stable release ofWindows 8.1in autumn.

Besides tiled resources,DirectX 11.2 also reduces the latency for DirectX applications, allowing for a faster user interface response. Also, there are other features, new or improved, that will come withDirectX11.2:

All in all, let’s hope that the updates fromDirectX11.2 will allow for much more awesome games and apps. However, it will be interesting to see whetherMicrosoft‘s technique of luring users to upgrade toWindows 8will function.

Update: DirectX 12 for Windows 10

At the time the article was written, the only option for gamers to improve their performance while usingDirectX11.2 was to installWindows 8. Now, we have great news – upgrading toWindows 10not only offers you a better OS experience but it also gives you the possibility to useDirectX 12that revolutionized the entire gaming industry.

This version is using up to 20% fewer GPU resources and improvingCPUperformance with 50%, it is one of the ‘must have’ software installed on yourPCif you are a true gamer. Games likeGears of WarorForza Motorsportare utilizing this software and the results are awesome.

In case you encounter problems while installing the new version, you can find the right fixesin this guidewe wrote afterDirectX 12release and some issues occurred.

Having all this information plus the update aboutDirectX 12should help you choose which Windows version is better for you and whatDirectXversion suites your needs.

READ ALSO:How to fix the “DirectX encountered an unrecoverable error” in Windows

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You Will Get DirectX 11.2 Only With Windows 8.1#

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Update: DirectX 12 for Windows 10#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

You Will Get DirectX 11.2 Only With Windows 8.1

Want DirectX 11.2? Get Windows 8.1

Update: DirectX 12 for Windows 10