How To: Upgrade Windows Vista To DirectX 11
How To: Upgrade Windows Vista To DirectX 11DirectX is the most important interface between the graphics card and a computer game. It is this API that allows game developers to write their code without having to worry too much about the hardware in the gamers’ computers.
DirectX 11 is the newest version of the API and it offers the greatest range of features. If you’re already running Windows 7, you’re all set, since it’s included with Microsoft's latest operating system. But what about the thousands upon thousands of gaming PCs still running Windows Vista? After all, having taken a fair bit of criticism for the way it handled DirectX 10, Microsoft says it has learned from its past mistakes and promises to do better this time around.
The message is clear: Windows Vista will be able to upgrade from DirectX 10 to version 11. Windows XP, on the other hand, is stuck with DirectX 9. End of story.
Microsoft’s plan is that DirectX 11 will become available to the general public with the release of Windows 7 in a few weeks. Windows Vista, on the other hand, won’t see the upgraded API until later as part of Vista’s Service Pack 3. While that may make sense from a marketing perspective (pushing the new OS based on a feature advantage) there is no real technological reason for this delayed approach.
The final version of DirectX 11 has been available since the end of August 2009. The trick is knowing how to get it installed on Vista. If you dig deep enough and go through the MS Knowledge Base, various blog entries, and the Developer Network, you can actually find an answer. However, it appears that Microsoft is determined to make upgrading Vista to DirectX 11 as difficult as possible.
On the following pages, Tom’s Hardware offers a step-by-step guide demonstrating how to activate the download of DirectX 11 (RTM) through Microsoft’s Windows Update by using two simple registry entries. The remainder of the installation completes automatically.
Still a good tip for some of the straglers.
Another thing I heard was that if your GPU had support for certain features that are in DX11, like say a HD4800 series, that it could run them without full DX11 support. I know that all HD2K+ series ATI GPUS can do tesselation so i hope what I have heard is true....
im pretty sure I read that here on toms hardware on one of the DX11 articles.
Simple things like threaded DX support will work this way. Not some of the more advanced DX11 shaders and such. So DX11 games will undoubtedly run faster under DX11 software models. But it wont look as good if not paired with DX11 hardware.
This is a great trick you guys found.
Good work!
Nvidia won't get DX11 since they are made by Microsoft AND ATI/AMD. So they won't just give a source to Nvidia.
Although for me there's little point to it, since I'm running Win7RC, and will be getting full Win7 when I can afford it.
Sadly I will be with Vista for awhile. Windows 7 cost too much for Ultimate which is what I need to do an upgrade.
Some of us prefer CLI than running some script we have to open and look at anyway... *Shrug*
Some of us prefer CLI than running some script we have to open and look at anyway... *Shrug*
Here
Nothing much to see
Thanks for the article, Toms! I was having issues with playing some DX11 game demos, and now I can finally get to it.
Same i hope it's great if not the 5770 isn't going anywhere only possible diff is a lower price.
Gosh.. another bungle ohh yea I forgot.. I use Ubuntu GL pawns dx
Another story of people struggling with a crap O/S .. Convert to Ubuntu all your MS problems will go away.. and crash.. After Upgrading to Ubuntu.. that does not exist anymore.. Such a nice thing.
Whoa so wrong. DX11 is made by MS. ATI just had support first, much like ATI had the first true DX10 cards.
nVidia will have them with their G300 series GPUs but not for a bit longer. Right now ATI is the only DX11 GPU maker.