Microsoft DirectX is a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) that are required for multimedia functionality on Windows. You can't just go in and change individual DirectX settings, and users are also prohibited from uninstalling DirectX itself. However, there are several ways to make sure you are running the correct version of DirectX. In this article, you will learn how to update DirectX to the correct version on a particular operating system.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Download the latest updates for Windows Vista and Windows 7
Step 1. Download the latest updates to fix the DirectX problem
Many problems with DirectX can be resolved by installing the latest update from Microsoft. Before making any changes to the system, we recommend that you first ensure that the latest updates are installed on your computer.
- Go to Windows Update via the Start menu. To open Windows Update from the Start menu, select All Programs, and then click Windows Update in the list of programs. Updates will start downloading automatically.
- Turn on the automatic update feature. Go to the "Start" menu, click on "Control Panel" and select the "Large icons" or "Small icons" option.
- Find the Windows Update icon in the Control Panel and click on it. In the left column, click on the "Check for Updates" option. The user will be notified of any critical updates. Click on the Download Updates button to install the latest Windows updates.
Method 2 of 4: Access Automatic Updates from Control Panel in Windows XP
Step 1. Download the latest updates for Windows XP to automatically fix the DirectX problem
Windows XP users will need to make sure they have Service Pack 3 installed before attempting to download updates. Service Pack 3 is installed after Service Packs 1 and 2 are installed.
- Go to the "Start" menu, click on "Control Panel" and select the "Large icons" or "Small icons" option in the upper left corner of the window. Find the Windows Update icon in the Control Panel and click on it.
- Click on the circle that says "Automatic Updates" or click on the underlined link at the bottom of the window to go to the Windows XP update site. Follow Microsoft's directions to download the latest updates.
Method 3 of 4: Download the most recent version of DirectX
Step 1. Update DirectX to the latest version
If installing the latest updates does not resolve the issue, Windows Vista and Windows 7 users have the option to update DirectX to the most recent version on the Microsoft website.
Go to the DirectX Runtime Web Installer End User page. Click the Download button to download the dxwebsetup.exe file. Follow the directions to download and install dxwebsetup.exe. You have now updated DirectX to the latest version
Method 4 of 4: Uninstall DirectX Update by System Restore
Step 1. Roll back the system and download DirectX 9 on Windows XP
Windows XP users who downloaded the latest version of DirectX by mistake should know how to rollback DirectX to a previous version. Apart from updating DirectX to the latest version, there is no method that can be used to uninstall DirectX. Windows XP users can either download and install one of the third-party applications that are designed for this purpose, or use System Restore to return the operating system to the state it was before the latest DirectX update was installed.
- Go to the Start menu and select Help and Support Center. In the Select Job section, select Undo Changes Using System Restore. Check the box next to "Restore your computer to an earlier state" and click "Next".
- Specify the date before DirectX updates were downloaded and click Next. Click Next again to confirm your date selection, and then click OK to start System Restore. Now, you've rolled your system back to the point where you had the correct version of DirectX.