How to Take advantage of DirectStorage in Windows 11

(Image credit- Alphr) You don't have to do anything to enable DirectStorage because it is already included in Windows 11. Windows 11 will automatically use this feature to speed up load times and game performance if your PC meets the requirements for DirectStorage to function and you play a game that supports it. Your machine must meet or surpass these requirements for DirectStorage to function: How to Test Your PC's Capability to Use DirectStorage You can check to see if your computer is DirectStorage compatible if you are uncertain. You must ascertain the type of video card and storage disc you own. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Image credit- TechnClub[/caption] Follow these steps to see if your computer can use DirectStorage:

• On your Windows 11 computer, press Windows Key + G to launch the Xbox Game Bar, and then click the gear icon.
• The Windows Game Bar's highlighted gear icon.
• Simply click Gaming Features.
• Highlighted in the Windows game bar settings are gaming features.

Observe the messages. Both DirectStorage and DirectX 12 Ultimate are supported by your machine. Your computer supports DirectStorage if you see both messages. Your PC is capable of running DirectX 12 Ultimate, and Windows game bar gaming features indicate DirectStorage support. How to Make a PC That Doesn't Support DirectStorage Support It Work You won't be able to enable DirectStorage on a Windows 11 computer if it doesn't satisfy the requirements. You must install an NVMe SSD and update it to a DirectX 12 graphics card if you decide to upgrade your PC. Windows 11 will automatically enable DirectStorage for games that support it following those upgrades. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1120"] Image credit- Ars Technica[/caption] How Does DirectStorage Function and What Is It? Microsoft created the DirectStorage function for Xbox consoles to accelerate data storage and retrieval, which helps reduce load times and boost graphics performance when playing games on Windows 11. The feature isn't available if you don't have an NVMe drive because it depends on the extraordinarily quick read and write times offered by NVMe drives. In addition to utilizing quick NVME drives, DirectStorage handles compressed data directly using your graphics card as opposed to having your CPU first decompress everything (which is how things usually work). Because the graphics card can begin rendering immediately rather than waiting on the CPU, this eliminates a potential bottleneck. For this reason, DirectStorage won't function if your video card doesn't support DirectX 12. Also read: Older Games Now Run More Smoothly On Intel Arc GPUs The outcome is noticeably quicker load times when a game developer has chosen to use DirectStorage and your PC has both an NVMe and a DirectX 12 graphic card. According to Microsoft, load times can be up to 40 times faster, which frequently leads to almost immediate loading.