What is Direct X?

Microsoft® DirectX® is an extension of the Microsoft® Windows® operating system designed to provide Windows®-based games and multimedia-rich programs with high-performance, real-time access to available hardware on the latest computer systems. This results in faster, better performing Windows®-based games and multimedia-rich programs.

DirectX® works best with updated audio and display drivers that include hardware acceleration features (so for optimal performance, it is recommended to download the latest drivers for your sound card and your display adapter). DirectX® includes updated drivers for the most popular sound and video adapters.

For many older sound and video adapters, these are the most recent drivers available. If you are using recently manufactured sound and video adapters, contact your hardware manufacturer to inquire about the availability of more recent DirectX®-compatible drivers for your sound and video adapters.

If you have access to the internet, you can download the latest version of DirectX® for Windows® 95 and Windows® 98 free of charge from the Microsoft Web Site.

If you have an active connection to the Internet, then clicking the link above will take you directly to the download site, otherwise, here's the address for you to type into your web browser: http://www.microsoft.com/directx/download.asp.

Note: Because this is an update to your Windows® operating system, it is important to create a back-up of your machine before performing this update.