Microsoft details how Windows 11 is built for gamers

By Zac Bowden
last updated

Auto HDR, Direct Storage, and DX12 Ultimate are all part of the package.

Windows 11 Xbox Game Pass Official
Windows 11 Xbox Game Pass Official (Image credit: Microsoft)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft details improvements to gaming as part of Windows 11.
  • Improvements include Direct Storage support, Auto HDR, and DirectX 12 Ultimate.

Microsoft has detailed how Windows 11 is built for gamers with new improvements such as DirectX 12 Ultimate, Direct Storage, and Auto HDR (high dynamic range.) The company is committed to gaming and says that it's a core part of Windows 11, which is expected to ship later this year.

Microsoft is touting Auto HDR as one of the key improvements on Windows 11 for gamers. Auto HDR allows SDR (standard dynamic range) games to run with HDR improvements on displays that support it. Games that were not built for HDR will appear brighter and more colorful, with wider contrast and detail all just by enabling Auto HDR on Windows 11.

Windows 11 Gaming Autohdr

Source: Microsoft (Image credit: Source: Microsoft)

Direct Storage is also shipping as part of Windows 11. Direct Storage was first announced as part of the Xbox Series S/X to increase load times in games. If you have a speedy SSD drive, and a game that's build with Direct Storage in mind, loading times within the game will be much shorter.

Source: Microsoft (Image credit: Source: Microsoft)

Finally, the company is touting DirectX 12 Ultimate as a fundamental pillar for gaming on Windows 11. DX12 Ultimate includes new features for developers such as Raytracing 1.1, variable rate shading, Sampler Feedback, and more. DX12 Ultimate makes it easier for game developers to build games on PC that use fewer resources.

Overall, gaming on Windows 11 provides a modest set of improvements over Windows 10. Direct Storage and DirectX 12 Ultimate will provide gamers will faster loading times and better looking games with less resources used, but it requires game developers to build games that support it.

What are your thoughts on these new gaming improvements for Windows 11? Let us know in the comments.

Zac Bowden
Zac Bowden
Senior Editor

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter: @zacbowden.

4 Comments
  • Ray Tracing! It's time for that to go mainstream. Thank you AMD FSR and DirectX 12 Ultimate. This is the biggest fundamental change to graphics in many years.
  • No matter how far you run, no matter where you hide, Skyrim will always find you. There is no escape.
  • Yeah, except most gaming rigs will not get Windows 11, due to that idiotic TPM2.0 requirement. Why's that even a thing? Are they planning on forcing BitLocker encryption on people?
  • Bitlocker is a fail. It has no use in a File System based OS.
    There's no scenario where that should be activated when it consumes 65% disc activity.
    It may even be something of Microsoft trying to do something they are not qualified to do.