How To: Upgrade Windows Vista To DirectX 11

[chrisbard]

"DirectX 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."

Source

Have fun !

[chrisbard]

It took 30 min to manage to do it on my PC with no sideeffects other than speed up the rig and giving me the chance of benchmarking in DX11. YAY

[Daniel ~]

People try to game on Vista? I just have to admire that kind of loyalty! ":O}

(Thank you for showing us how Chris!)

[MUff1N]

You know this is strange as I didn't do any "Special" installation of DX11 & yet it's install on my Vista Ultimate...
The only think I did was install the Aug DX redistributable with no special commands or anything.

Maybe they released this update to DX early for Vista?
Whatever the case it's installed.

[MUff1N]

Ahw!!!, I found the answer to my own question...Yes they did!

DirectX 11 now available for Windows Vista SP2
10/28/2009 by: Theo Valich - Get more from this author


If you own Windows Vista and still don't feel like upgrading to Windows 7, Microsoft released a way to get your hands on DirectX 11 asap.

The giant from Redmond released "Platform Update for Windows Server 2008 and the Platform Update for Windows Vista."
By downloading "Update for Windows Vista (KB971512)" you're downloading an update containing "The Windows Graphics, Imaging, and XPS Library contain the latest advancements in modern graphics technologies for gaming, multimedia, imaging and printing applications. It includes updates to DirectX, DirectCompute, and XPS Library. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer."

Naturally, you have to restart the computer - at least that was the case on our test system. The update does not specify that you are installing DirectX 11 API, but it is very easy to read through the lines - DirectCompute is available only inside DirectX 11 API, while post-install you will see dxdiag.exe detecting installed DirectX as version 11. If you're developing DirectX 11 software, don't forget to reinstall the August 2009 update of DirectX SDK, as it is required for normal operation.

Now, if only AMD demos would require DirectX 11 API instead of requiring the Windows 7 operating system, and DirectX 11 experience could be complete… then again, you can always install BattleForge or wait until December 1st, when DiRT 2 hits the PC platform.