How to Launch Witcher 3 in DirectX 11

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To launch Witcher 3 in DirectX 11, you need to access the game’s configuration settings, specifically the Features tab, and ensure that the Launch parameters option for Custom executables / arguments is enabled, then select the Default executable option next to The Witcher 3 – Wild Hunt (DX11). This process allows you to override the default DirectX version used by the game, opting for DirectX 11 instead of the potentially default DirectX 12, which might offer better performance or compatibility depending on your system configuration.

Understanding DirectX Versions

DirectX 11 vs. DirectX 12

DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 are two different versions of the DirectX application programming interface (API), which is used for handling multimedia and game programming on Microsoft platforms. DirectX 12 offers several improvements over DirectX 11, including better performance, support for more advanced graphics capabilities, and improved multi-threading support. However, the choice between using DirectX 11 or DirectX 12 for a game like Witcher 3 can depend on various factors, including the game’s optimization for each DirectX version and the specific hardware and software configuration of the player’s computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I force a game to run DirectX 11? You can use the DxCpl.exe (DirectX Control Panel) on Windows 10 to force game executables to use a lower DirectX level such as 111 or 110. Alternatively, some games provide options within their launchers or settings menus to select the DirectX version.

2. Is The Witcher 3 DirectX 11? Originally, The Witcher 3 was designed to run on DirectX 11, but it has been updated to support DirectX 12 as well. The game’s performance and graphical fidelity can vary between these two versions depending on the system and the specific update or patch level.

3. How do I use DirectX 11 instead of 12? To use DirectX 11 instead of 12, you can typically adjust the launch options or command line arguments for the game. For Epic Games titles, this might involve adding a specific argument like -d3d11 to the game’s launch settings.

4. How do I force DirectX 11 on Epic Games? For games on the Epic Games launcher, you can force DirectX 11 by adding the -d3d11 command line argument in the game’s settings. This can usually be done by opening the Epic Games Launcher, selecting the game, going to its settings, and adding the argument to the Command Line Arguments field.

5. How do I force Fortnite to use DirectX 11? To force Fortnite to use DirectX 11, you would open the Epic Games Launcher, go to Fortnite‘s settings, expand the Fortnite section, check the box for Additional Command Line Arguments, enter -d3d11, and then relaunch Fortnite.

6. Witcher 3 Next Gen – DX12 Looks Better Than DX11 While DirectX 12 can offer better performance and more advanced graphics features than DirectX 11, the actual visual and performance difference in Witcher 3 Next Gen depends on how well the game is optimized for each DirectX version and the capabilities of the player’s hardware.

7. How do I force a game to run a particular version of DirectX? Forcing a game to run a particular version of DirectX can often be achieved through the game’s launch options. You would specify the DirectX version as a command line argument, such as -dxlevel 81 for DirectX 9, though the exact argument can vary depending on the game and DirectX version.

8. How do I fix DirectX 11 not working? If DirectX 11 is not working, you can try checking the DirectX version, downloading and installing the latest DirectX version, updating Windows, updating your graphics driver, performing a clean boot, or running the System File Checker to resolve any issues.

9. Is it better to run DirectX 11 or 12? Generally, DirectX 12 can offer better performance and support for more advanced graphics features than DirectX 11. However, the best choice between DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 for a particular game can depend on how well the game is optimized for each version and the specifics of the player’s system.

10. Is DirectX 12 or 11 better? DirectX 12 is typically considered better than DirectX 11 due to its support for more advanced graphics capabilities and potentially better performance. However, the choice can also depend on the game and system in question, as some older hardware might run more smoothly with DirectX 11.

11. What is the problem with DirectX 12 but my game wants DirectX 11? If a game requests DirectX 11 but you have DirectX 12 installed, it’s usually because the game is not optimized for DirectX 12 or because DirectX 12 does not offer significant benefits for that particular game. DirectX 11 games can run on systems that support DirectX 12, as DirectX 12 systems are required to be backwards compatible with DirectX 11.

12. Is The Witcher 3 DirectX 11 or 12? The Witcher 3 supports both DirectX 11 and DirectX 12. The original version of the game used DirectX 11, but it has been updated to also support DirectX 12, offering players a choice based on their system capabilities and the game’s optimization for each DirectX version.

13. Should I run Witcher 3 in DX11 or 12? Whether to run Witcher 3 in DX11 or DX12 depends on your system’s hardware and how well the game is optimized for each DirectX version. If DX12 is properly supported and optimized, it might offer better performance or graphics quality, but if not, DX11 could be a more stable or smoother option.

14. How do I know if DirectX 11 is installed? To check if DirectX 11 is installed, you can use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag). Open dxdiag, go to the System tab, and look for the DirectX version under System Information.

15. Does DirectX 11 improve fps? DirectX 11 can improve FPS (frames per second) in games compared to older DirectX versions, depending on the game’s optimization and the system’s hardware. The performance difference between DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 can vary, with DirectX 12 often offering better performance in well-optimized games.