8 Ways to Open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool in Windows 11
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool (otherwise known as “DxDiag”) is a troubleshooting utility for graphical and sound related problems. It provides detailed system information for DirectX components and drivers. Some software support services may ask you to provide system information with the Save All Information option of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
Thus, the DxDiag window is a good place to check the system and VDU (Visual Display Unit) specifications on your PC for gaming purposes. There is more than one way to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. These are the eight alternative ways to launch the DirectX Diagnostic Tool in Windows 11.
1. How to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool with Run
The Run box is Windows 11’s default accessory for opening programs. You can launch most built-in Windows tools by entering commands for them in the Run dialog. How to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool with that accessory.
2. How to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool with Windows Search Utility
Some users prefer to use Windows 11’s Search tool to open software, files, and folders. You can enter keywords into that search utility to find and then open what you’re looking for. You will need to search for the DirectX Diagnostic Tool as follows.
3. How to Open DirectX Diagnostic Tool with Windows Terminal
Users who frequently use PowerShell or Command Prompt may prefer to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool with those command-line interpreters. You can launch DxDiag with both within the Windows Terminal console. These are the steps to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool via Windows Terminal.
4. How to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool with Task Manager
Task Manager includes a new Tasks feature that is similar to Run. So, you can launch the DirectX Diagnostic Tool with that feature enabled. How to open DxDiag from Task Manager.
5. How to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool from Desktop
Setting up a shortcut for DxDiag will give you a more direct way to open it. You can add the DirectX Diagnostic Tool shortcut to the desktop to open the utility from there. To do this, follow these steps to set up the DxDiag shortcut.
6. How to Open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool from the Taskbar or Start Menu
If you prefer a taskbar shortcut, you can pin DxDiag there. To do this, you’ll need to set up a DirectX Diagnostic Tool desktop shortcut, as described in the previous method. Right-click the desktop icon of that shortcut and choose Show more options. Choose the Pin to Taskbar option on the classic context menu. You can then click on the DxDiag icon on the taskbar to open it from there.
You can also add the DxDiag shortcut to the Start menu in the same way. Select the Pin to Taskbar option on the desktop shortcut’s context menu. Then click on DirectX Diagnostic Tool in the Pinned section of the Start menu to open it.
7. How to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool with a hotkey
A keyboard shortcut will enable you to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool without a mouse. You can set up DxDiag hotkeys based on the desktop shortcut for that utility. This is how you can set up a hotkey to open DxDiag.
8. How to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool from Desktop Context Menu
The desktop context menu is an alternative place to paste the DxDiag shortcut, but you’ll need to edit the registry to do this. When you’ve done this, you can open DxDiag from the right-click menu. You can set up the DirectX Diagnostic Tool context menu shortcut by adding a new registry key for it like this.
Now go and open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool from the context menu. Right-click anywhere on your desktop to select Show more options. Click on the new DirectX Diagnostic Tool shortcut you just added to open DxDiag’s window.
You can always remove the DxDiag context menu shortcut by deleting its registry key. Right-click the DirectX Diagnostic Tool key in Registry Editor to select the Delete option. Then click Yes to delete both that key and its subkeys.
Check system specs and troubleshoot gaming issues with the DirectX Diagnostic Tool
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will always come in handy whenever you need to check whether your PC’s specs match the minimum system requirements for the game. It can also be useful for troubleshooting gaming and video playback issues.
You can open DxDiag in Windows 11 by any of the above methods, but some are a bit faster than others. Opening the DirectX Diagnostic Tool with Run, the Windows Search tool, Task Manager, or Windows Terminal may be fine for many users. However, for the fastest access, it’s better to set up a DxDiag shortcut, as described in methods five through eight.