How to Disable DirectX 12 in Windows 10: A Comprehensive Guide

Disabling DirectX 12 in Windows 10 can be achieved through several methods, depending on your specific needs. In this guide, we will explore the most common and effective techniques to switch back to an earlier version of DirectX, specifically DirectX 11. Understanding these methods will help you optimize your system or resolve specific issues with games and applications.

Method 1: Using the Games Configuration File

For many games, the ability to specify which version of DirectX to use lies within their own configuration files. To find and change this setting, follow these steps:

Locate the installation folder of your game. Check for a Configuration, Settings, or Profile file within this folder. Open the file with a text editor like Notepad. In the file, look for an entry or setting related to DirectX, such as DirectX 11 or DX11. Change the setting to DirectX 11 or the desired version. Save the file and restart the game.

While this method is straightforward, it requires specific knowledge about the game's configuration and may not work for all games.

Method 2: Using the Windows Registry

If the game settings do not offer an option to switch DirectX versions, you can use the Windows Registry to modify the default settings. Here’s how:

Press Win R to open the Run dialog box. Enter regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftDirectX Locate the Version key. If it does not exist, you may need to create it. Double-click the Version key and change its value to 4.09.00.0904 or a similar version number to revert to an earlier DirectX version. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes.

Modifying the registry can be risky, so ensure you back up any critical data before making changes.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

For a more direct approach, you can use the Command Prompt to disable DirectX 12:

Press Win X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). Type the following command and press Enter: bcdedit /set dx12 off Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Note that this method will completely disable DirectX 12, which may impact game performance and graphics quality.

Method 4: Rolling Back to DirectX 11

If you want to roll back DirectX completely, you can uninstall the DirectX 12 update through Windows Update or reinstall the DirectX 11 runtime. However, this is not commonly recommended as it may affect system stability and compatibility with other applications:

Open Settings and go to Update Security Windows Update. Select View update history and remove the DirectX 12 update. Alternatively, you can use Advanced Options in the Windows Update settings to reinstall DirectX 11. After making these changes, restart your computer.

Disabling DirectX 12 can affect the performance and graphics quality of games and applications designed to take advantage of it. Always ensure you have the latest drivers for your graphics card, as they may provide better support and compatibility with DirectX 12.

If you face specific issues with a game, it might be more effective to check if there are patches or updates from the developers that address the problem instead of disabling DirectX 12 entirely.