DirectX 9 Graphics Device With WDDM Driver: Why It Matters and How to Install It
Download DirectX 9 Graphics Device With WDDM 1 0 Or Higher Driver
If you are a Windows user who loves gaming and multimedia, you may have heard of DirectX and WDDM. These are two important components that affect your graphics performance and quality. In this article, we will explain what they are, why you need them, how to check them, how to download and install them, and how to troubleshoot common issues with them.
Download DirectX 9 Graphics Device With WDDM 1 0 Or Higher Driver
What is DirectX 9 and WDDM?
DirectX 9 and WDDM are two terms that refer to different aspects of your graphics system. Let's see what they mean and how they work.
DirectX 9: A set of components for gaming and multimedia
DirectX is a set of components in Windows that allows software, primarily and especially games, to work directly with your video and audio hardware. It provides a low-level interface that enables high-performance graphics rendering, sound processing, input handling, and network communication. DirectX consists of several sub-components, such as Direct3D, DirectSound, DirectInput, DirectPlay, etc. Each sub-component has a version number that indicates its features and compatibility.
DirectX 9 is one of the older versions of DirectX that was released in 2002. It introduced many new features, such as pixel shaders, vertex shaders, high dynamic range rendering, multiple render targets, etc. It also improved the performance and stability of previous versions. Many games and applications still use DirectX 9 today, as it is widely supported by various hardware and software vendors.
WDDM: A driver model for graphics cards
WDDM stands for Windows Display Driver Model. It is a driver model that defines how the graphics drivers interact with the operating system and the hardware. It also provides a standard framework for developing and testing graphics drivers. WDDM was introduced in Windows Vista in 2006, replacing the older driver model called XPDM (Windows XP Display Driver Model).
WDDM has several advantages over XPDM, such as:
It supports new features, such as Aero Glass, Desktop Window Manager, Flip3D, etc.
It improves graphics performance and stability by using a virtualized memory model, scheduling algorithms, preemptive multitasking, etc.
It enhances security and reliability by isolating the drivers from the kernel space, preventing crashes and hangs.
It enables new technologies, such as DirectX Graphics Infrastructure (DXGI), DirectCompute, etc.
WDDM has several versions that correspond to different Windows versions. Each version has different requirements and capabilities. For example:
WDDM VersionWindows VersionMinimum DirectX Support
WDDM 1.0Windows VistaDirectX 9
WDDM 1.1Windows 7DirectX 10
WDDM 1.2Windows 8DirectX 11
WDDM 1.3Windows 8.1DirectX 11.2
WDDM 2.0Windows 10DirectX 12
WDDM 2.1Windows 10 Anniversary UpdateDirectX 12.1
WDDM 2.2Windows 10 Creators UpdateDirectX 12.2
WDDM 2.3Windows 10 Fall Creators UpdateDirectX 12.3
WDDM 2.4Windows 10 April 2018 UpdateDirectX 12.4
WDDM 2.5Windows 10 October 2018 UpdateDirectX 12.5
WDDM 2.6Windows 10 May 2019 UpdateDirectX 12.6
WDDM 2.7Windows 10 November 2019 Update<
DirectX 12.7
<
WDDM 2.8
Windows 10 May 2020 Update DirectX 12.8
WDDM 2.9
Windows 10 October 2020 Update DirectX 12.9
WDDM 3.0
Windows 11 DirectX Ultimate
Why do you need DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver?
You may wonder why you need to have a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver on your computer. There are several reasons for this, depending on your Windows version and your graphics needs.
To run Windows 7 or later versions
If you want to upgrade your Windows XP or Vista to Windows 7 or later versions, you need to have a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver on your computer. This is because Windows 7 and later versions use WDDM as the default driver model for graphics cards, and they require at least DirectX 9 support for basic functionality and compatibility. If you don't have a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver, you may not be able to install or run Windows properly, or you may experience poor graphics performance and quality.
To improve graphics performance and stability
If you already have Windows Vista or later versions installed on your computer, you may still want to have a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver to improve your graphics performance and stability. This is because WDDM drivers offer many benefits over XPDM drivers, such as better memory management, faster rendering, smoother transitions, fewer crashes, etc. If you have an XPDM driver, you may encounter issues such as screen flickering, black screens, blue screens, etc.
To support new features and technologies
If you are a gamer or a multimedia enthusiast, you may want to have a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver to support new features and technologies that enhance your gaming and multimedia experience. For example, DirectX 9 introduced pixel shaders and vertex shaders, which allow for more realistic lighting, shadows, textures, etc. WDDM drivers also enable DirectX Graphics Infrastructure (DXGI), which allows for better resource management, swap chains, presentation modes, etc. Furthermore, WDDM drivers support DirectCompute, which allows for general-purpose computing on the graphics processing unit (GPU), such as physics simulations, image processing, machine learning, etc.
How to check your current DirectX and WDDM versions?
Before you download and install a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver, you may want to check your current DirectX and WDDM versions on your computer. This way, you can see if you need to update them or not. There are two ways to check your DirectX and WDDM versions: using DirectX Diagnostic Tool and using Device Manager.
Use DirectX Diagnostic Tool
DirectX Diagnostic Tool is a built-in tool in Windows that allows you to view information about your DirectX components and drivers. To use it, follow these steps:
Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Type dxdiag and click OK.
Wait for the tool to collect information about your system.
Click the System tab and look for the DirectX Version field. This shows your current DirectX version.
Click the Display tab and look for the Driver Model field. This shows your current WDDM version.
If you have more than one display adapter, click the Next Page button to view information about other adapters.
Click Exit when you are done.
Use Device Manager
Device Manager is a built-in tool in Windows that allows you to view and manage your hardware devices and drivers. To use it, follow these steps:
Press Windows + X keys and select Device Manager from the menu.
Expand the Display adapters category and right-click on your graphics card name.
Select Properties from the context menu.
Click the Driver tab and look for the Driver Version field. This shows your current driver version.
To check the WDDM version of your driver, compare the driver version with the table below:
Driver VersionWDDM Version
6.0.xxxx.xxxxWDDM 1.0
6.1.xxxx.xxxxWDDM 1.1
8.0.xxxx.xxxxWDDM 1.2
8.1.xxxx.xxxxWDDM 1.3
10.0.xxxx.xxxxWDDM 2.x or 3.x
Note: The xxxx part of the driver version may vary depending on your graphics card manufacturer and model.
How to download and install DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver?
If you need to download and install a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver on your computer, there are three ways to do it: download from Microsoft website, download from graphics card manufacturer website, or install using Windows Update.
Download from Microsoft website
The easiest way to download and install a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver is to use the Microsoft website. Microsoft provides a web installer that automatically detects and updates your DirectX components and drivers. To use it, follow these steps:
Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35.
Click Download and save the file to your computer.
Run the file and follow the instructions on the screen.
Restart your computer when prompted.
Download from graphics card manufacturer website
An alternative way to download and install a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver is to use the graphics card manufacturer website. Each graphics card manufacturer provides its own drivers that are optimized for their products. To use this method, follow these steps:
Determine your graphics card manufacturer and model by using Device Manager or DirectX Diagnostic Tool, as explained in the previous section.
Go to the official website of your graphics card manufacturer and look for the drivers section. For example, if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, go to https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx.
Select your graphics card model and Windows version from the drop-down menus and click Search.
Download the latest driver that supports DirectX 9 and WDDM 1.0 or higher.
Run the file and follow the instructions on the screen.
Restart your computer when prompted.
Install using Windows Update
A third way to download and install a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver is to use Windows Update. Windows Update is a feature in Windows that automatically downloads and installs updates for your system, including drivers. To use this method, follow these steps:
Press Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.
Click Update & Security and then click Windows Update.
Click Check for updates and wait for Windows to scan for available updates.
If there are any updates for your graphics card driver, they will be listed under Optional updates. Click Download and install to proceed.
Restart your computer when prompted.
How to troubleshoot common issues with DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver?
Even after you download and install a DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver, you may still encounter some issues with your graphics system. These issues may include low frame rates, graphical glitches, compatibility errors, etc. Here are some tips on how to troubleshoot common issues with DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver:
Update your Windows and drivers regularly
One of the simplest ways to fix most issues with DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver is to update your Windows and drivers regularly. This will ensure that you have the latest patches, fixes, and improvements for your system and your graphics card. To update your Windows and drivers, you can use Windows Update or the methods described in the previous section.
Run Windows troubleshooter and compatibility mode
If you have problems running a specific game or application that uses DirectX 9, you can try using Windows troubleshooter and compatibility mode. These are features in Windows that help you diagnose and resolve common compatibility issues. To use them, follow these steps:
Right-click on the game or application icon and select Properties.
Click the Compatibility tab and check the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode for.
Select a previous version of Windows from the drop-down menu, such as Windows XP or Windows Vista.
Click Apply and OK.
Run the game or application again and see if it works better.
If not, go back to the Compatibility tab and click Run compatibility troubleshooter.
Follow the instructions on the screen and let Windows find and apply the best settings for your game or application.
Reinstall or repair DirectX and drivers
If none of the above methods work, you may need to reinstall or repair your DirectX components and drivers. This will ensure that you have a clean and functional installation of your graphics system. To do this, follow these steps:
Uninstall your current graphics card driver using Device Manager or Control Panel.
Delete any leftover files or folders related to your graphics card driver from your computer.
Download and install a fresh copy of your graphics card driver using one of the methods described in the previous section.
Uninstall any existing versions of DirectX from your computer using Control Panel or a third-party uninstaller tool.
Delete any leftover files or folders related to DirectX from your computer.
Download and install a fresh copy of DirectX using one of the methods described in the previous section.
Restart your computer when prompted.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained what DirectX 9 and WDDM are, why you need them, how to check them, how to download and install them, and how to troubleshoot common issues with them. We hope that this article has helped you understand and improve your graphics system on your Windows computer. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
FAQs
What is the difference between DirectX 9 and DirectX 10?
DirectX 10 DirectX 10 is a newer version of DirectX that was released in 2006. It introduced many new features, such as geometry shaders, stream output, texture arrays, etc. It also improved the performance and quality of previous versions. However, DirectX 10 is only compatible with Windows Vista and later versions, and it requires a graphics card that supports DirectX 10. Many games and applications still use DirectX 9 for compatibility reasons.
How can I tell if my graphics card supports DirectX 9?
You can tell if your graphics card supports DirectX 9 by using DirectX Diagnostic Tool or Device Manager, as explained in the previous section. Alternatively, you can check the specifications of your graphics card on the manufacturer's website or on online databases, such as https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/. Generally, most graphics cards released after 2002 support DirectX 9.
Can I have multiple versions of DirectX on my computer?
Yes, you can have multiple versions of DirectX on your computer. In fact, Windows automatically installs the latest version of DirectX that is compatible with your system. However, this does not overwrite or remove the older versions of DirectX that are already installed on your computer. This is because different games and applications may require different versions of DirectX to run properly. Therefore, having multiple versions of DirectX on your computer ensures that you can run various games and applications without compatibility issues.
What is the difference between WDDM and WHQL?
WDDM and WHQL are two terms that are related to graphics drivers, but they have different meanings. WDDM stands for Windows Display Driver Model, which is a driver model that defines how the graphics drivers interact with the operating system and the hardware. WHQL stands for Windows Hardware Quality Labs, which is a certification program that tests and verifies the quality and compatibility of hardware devices and drivers. A WHQL-certified driver means that it has passed the tests and meets the standards set by Microsoft. A WDDM driver may or may not be WHQL-certified, depending on whether the driver manufacturer has submitted it for testing or not.
How can I update my DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver without internet connection?
If you do not have an internet connection on your computer, you can still update your DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver by using an offline installer or a portable device. To use an offline installer, you need to download it from another computer that has an internet connection and save it to a USB drive or a CD/DVD. Then, you can plug in or insert the USB drive or the CD/DVD to your computer and run the installer from there. To use a portable device, you need to have a graphics card that supports DirectX 9 and WDDM driver on a laptop or a tablet that has an internet connection. Then, you can connect your laptop or tablet to your computer using a cable or a wireless network and share the graphics card and driver with your computer.
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