Direct Storage is a new feature introduced in Windows 11 that allows games and other applications to load data faster by bypassing the CPU and accessing storage directly. Here’s how you can enable Direct Storage in Windows 11:
- Check if your PC meets the hardware requirements: Your PC needs to have an NVMe SSD with support for PCIe 4.0 and a compatible CPU and GPU to use Direct Storage.
- Update your Windows 11 installation: Make sure your Windows 11 installation is up-to-date. Direct Storage is only available in the latest versions of Windows 11.
- Check if your GPU drivers are up-to-date: Direct Storage requires a compatible GPU driver. Check if your GPU drivers are up-to-date and if not, download and install the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
- Enable Direct Storage in Windows PowerShell: Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”. Then, type the following command and press Enter:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName "DirectPlay - Restart your PC: After enabling Direct Storage, restart your PC to apply the changes.
- Check if Direct Storage is working: You can check if Direct Storage is enabled by running the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. To do this, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type “dxdiag” and press Enter. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window, go to the “System” tab and check if Direct Storage is enabled under “DirectX Features”.
What is Windows 11 direct storage?
Windows 11 Direct Storage is a new feature that allows games and other applications to load data faster by bypassing the CPU and accessing storage directly. Traditionally, when a game or application needs to load data from the storage device, it first goes through the CPU, which then processes the data and sends it to the GPU or other components. With Direct Storage, the data can be loaded directly from the storage device to the GPU or other components, reducing the load on the CPU and allowing for faster loading times.
Direct Storage requires a compatible NVMe SSD with support for PCIe 4.0, a compatible CPU, and a compatible GPU driver. Direct Storage is also built on the same technology used in the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, which allows for faster load times and improved game performance. By using Direct Storage, games and other applications can take advantage of the high-speed storage devices available today and deliver a more responsive and immersive experience for users.
How do I know if direct storage is enabled?
You can check if Direct Storage is enabled on your Windows 11 PC by using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. Here’s how:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “dxdiag” in the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
- In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window, go to the “System” tab.
- Look for the “DirectX Features” section and check if “DirectStorage” is listed under it. If it’s listed, then Direct Storage is enabled on your PC. If it’s not listed, Direct Storage is not currently enabled.
Note that to use Direct Storage, your PC must meet certain hardware requirements, including a compatible NVMe SSD with support for PCIe 4.0, a compatible CPU, and a compatible GPU driver. If your PC doesn’t meet these requirements, Direct Storage may not be available even if you have Windows 11 installed.