What the DirectX Redistributable Provides
Microsoft’s DirectX Redistributable lets Windows run and display multimedia-heavy programs that use full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and advanced audio. It supplies both performance and security updates and exposes additional features that applications can access through the DirectX APIs.
Critical note for Windows XP
If you are installing this on Windows XP, be aware that the redistributable cannot be removed once installed. Create a system restore point before proceeding so you can recover your previous configuration if needed.
Languages included with the package
This redistributable is packaged in multiple languages for developers to include with their products. Available localizations include:
- English
- Swedish
- Russian
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Polish
- Korean
- Japanese
- Italian
- German
- French
- Dutch
- Czech
- Chinese (Traditional)
- Chinese (Simplified)
Security, stability, and compatibility
Older DirectX releases were sometimes targeted by malware, but more recent editions have considerably improved security and robustness. Installing the redistributable ensures your system has the latest runtime fixes and compatibility updates for DirectX-dependent applications.
Runtime components that are installed
The redistributable installs both the newest and previously released DirectX runtime libraries. Major components included are:
- Managed DirectX components
- XInput libraries
- D3DX helper libraries
Recommendation
If you need to run applications or games that rely on DirectX on Windows, installing the DirectX Redistributable is recommended to ensure proper functionality and access to the latest API features.
Technical
- Windows
- Free