How to Enable Direct Storage in Windows 11

Enable Direct Storage windows 11 is a new gaming feature that allows games to load in milliseconds. It is based on the Xbox Series X/S storage technology. It is built into Windows 11 and compatible with DirectX 12.

The feature will only work if the game supports it and the PC meets its requirements. The PC must have an NVMe SSD and support DirectX 12 Ultimate.

Direct Storage is a new storage technology introduced in Windows 11 that aims to bypass the traditional storage stack and directly communicate between the NVMe storage device and the GPU, potentially offering significant performance improvements in specific workloads like high-end gaming. However, enabling Direct Storage currently requires specific hardware and software configurations, and it’s not readily available for all users.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to enable Direct Storage in Windows 11, covering the prerequisites, steps involved, and potential limitations:

Prerequisites:

• Hardware:

  • Supported NVMe SSD: Your system must have a high-performance NVMe solid-state drive (SSD) that supports the NVMe for Storage protocol (NVMe-がついています). Check your SSD’s specifications or manufacturer’s website for confirmation.
  • DirectX 12 Ultimate graphics card: You’ll need a graphics card that supports DirectX 12 Ultimate features, specifically Shader Model 6.6. This includes high-end NVIDIA RTX 30 series and AMD Radeon RX 6000 series cards or later.
  • Windows 11 with latest updates: Ensure you have the latest Windows 11 updates installed, as Direct Storage functionality may be rolled out through updates.

• Software:

  • Game or application support: Direct Storage is currently only supported by specific games and applications that have been explicitly designed to leverage this technology. Check the game’s or application’s documentation or official website for confirmation.

Enabling Direct Storage:

Important Note: As of February 20, 2024, enabling Direct Storage through manual configuration is not officially supported by Microsoft. The feature is currently in development and may be rolled out through future updates or game-specific settings. The following information is based on available developer documentation and may change in the future.

1. Open the Windows Registry Editor:

   • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
   • Type regedit and press Enter.
   • Caution: Modifying the registry can have unintended consequences. Proceed with caution and create a backup of your registry before making any changes.

2. Navigate to the following key:

   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Storage\NVMe

3. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value:

   • Right-click on the NVMe key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
   • Name the new value EnableDirectStorage.

4. Set the value data:

   • Right-click on the EnableDirectStorage value and select Modify.
   • In the Value data field, enter 1 and click OK.

5. Restart your computer:

   • The changes will take effect after a system reboot.

Limitations:

• Early stage: Direct Storage is still under development, and its availability and functionality may vary depending on your hardware, software, and specific game or application.
• Limited game support: Currently, only a handful of games explicitly support Direct Storage. This list is expected to grow in the future.
• Performance gains: While Direct Storage promises performance improvements, the actual benefits may vary depending on your specific hardware configuration, game/application, and workload.

Alternatives:

If you don’t meet the requirements for Direct Storage or your desired game/application doesn’t support it yet, consider these alternatives:

• Update your hardware: Ensure you have the latest NVMe SSD and graphics card drivers installed for optimal performance.
• Optimize your storage settings: Enable features like AHCI mode and optimize storage performance through Windows settings.
• Consider alternative solutions: Depending on your needs, explore other storage optimization tools or techniques like game-specific settings or RAMDisk configurations.

What is DirectStorage?

DirectStorage is a new feature that promises to dramatically improve loading times for games. This Xbox-based storage improvement API uses the GPU to decompress game models and textures, which frees up CPU resources.

Direct Storage is built into Windows 11 and can be enabled by simply running a compatible game. To check if your PC meets the requirements for DirectStorage, you can press Win+G and look at the gaming features section. You should see the message “Your system is DirectX 12 Ultimate ready and your GPU supports DirectStorage” if you have the required hardware.

You do not need to enable DirectStorage, as it is a built-in feature in Windows 11. However, you will need third-party developers to implement this API in their games. Once they do, the feature will automatically take care of everything else.

Requirements

Direct Storage is a new feature in Windows 11 that can improve performance for applications and games by allowing them to access data directly from the storage device, rather than relying on the system memory. This can reduce loading times and free up CPU resources.

In order to use DirectStorage, your PC must meet certain requirements. These include an NVMe SSD and a graphics card that supports DirectX 12 Ultimate. You should also have a fast processor in order to get the most out of this feature.

DirectStorage allows games to transfer graphics data at a much faster rate between the SSD and the GPU. This can significantly reduce load times and provide a better gaming experience. Additionally, it can help eliminate lag by offloading work from the CPU.

Benefits

Direct Storage is a new API that allows for quicker data access. It can improve performance by removing the need to retrieve data from the operating system. This can lead to faster loading times and higher graphics quality.

It can also reduce processing overhead by allowing games to decompress data in hardware. This can free up CPU resources and allow for more complex graphics. The API is available for PCs running Windows 11 and with compatible hardware.

To use the feature, you’ll need a NVMe SSD and a GPU that supports it. Then, you’ll need a game that supports the DirectStorage API. You can check if your PC meets the requirements by opening the Xbox Game Bar and clicking on Gaming features in the left panel.

Disadvantages

DirectStorage is a powerful storage technology that reduces latency and improves data access. It works by letting the hardware handle read requests asynchronously, which allows for higher bandwidth and lower CPU usage.

To take advantage of the benefits of DirectStorage, your PC needs to meet certain requirements. It must have an NVMe SSD and a graphics card that supports DirectX 12. In addition, your processor must be fast enough to handle the workload.

DirectStorage is a great way to speed up game loading times and improve performance. However, it’s not a complete solution for PC gaming, as there are still many factors that can affect gaming performance. The best way to ensure a smooth experience is to keep your GPU and processor up-to-date and use the latest version of Windows.

Conclusions

DirectStorage is a new gaming feature that reduces game loading times and graphics performance by moving the job of decompressing game assets to the GPU. It works by taking advantage of massive parallel engines that are available in modern GPUs, thereby freeing up CPU resources. It is also much faster than older gaming APIs, which are typically limited to MB/s performance.

To get the most out of DirectStorage, install games on an NVMe SSD to maximize IO performance. You can find more details about the DirectStorage API on Microsoft’s Developer Blog.

In summary, the new DirectStorage technology is now available for Windows 11 PC gamers. To make the most of it, you should upgrade to an NVMe SSD and a graphics card that supports DirectX 12. Once both are done, you can enjoy the improved gaming experience that comes with DirectStorage.

Conclusion:

Direct Storage has the potential to revolutionize storage performance for specific workloads in Windows 11. However, it’s currently in its early stages and requires specific hardware and software configurations. While enabling it through manual registry editing might be possible in the future, it’s not officially supported by Microsoft yet. Keep an eye out for future updates and game/application support as Direct Storage continues to evolve.