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5 Ways to Open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool on Windows 11

Quick Access Tips
  • Press the Windows key, search dxdiag, and click Open to launch the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
  • Open the Run dialog using the Windows + R shortcut, type dxdiag, and click OK.

Method 1: Open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool With the Task Manager

The Task Manager app on Windows 11 allows you to monitor and manage all running applications and processes. You can use it to create a new task for running the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

Step 1: Press the Windows + X shortcut to open the Power User Menu > select Task Manager to open it.

1 Task Manager

Step 2: Click Run new task at the top right of the Processes tab, type dxdiag, and press Enter to launch it.

3 dxdiag in Task Manager

Method 2: Create a Shortcut for the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

If you regularly use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, I recommend creating its desktop shortcut for quick access.

Step 1: Right-click the blank space on your Desktop > select New > Shortcut.

4 open network connections using shortcut

Step 2: Type dxdiag under Type the location of the item > click Next.

5 Naming shortcut

Step 3: Name the shortcut as you like and click Finish. Double-click the created shortcut to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

click finish

Method 3: Create a Hotkey to Run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

If you don’t wish to deal with the hassle of locating and opening the DirectX Diagnostic Tool from its shortcut, assign a hotkey to it.

Step 1: Right-click the DirectX Diagnostic Tool and select Properties.

7 Properties

Step 2: Open the Shortcut tab, click the Shortcut key box, and press your desired key combination to assign it. Click Apply, followed by OK to save changes.

Tip: I recommend assigning the Ctrl + Shift + D keyboard shortcut for opening the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

8 Keyboard shortcut

Method 4: Utilize the Command-Line Tools

Besides creating a shortcut, you can utilize command-line tools such as Windows PowerShell and Command Prompt to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

Step 1: Press the Windows key, search Windows PowerShell, and click to open it. Alternatively, search CMD to open the Command Prompt app.

9 Windows PowerShell

Step 2: Type dxdiag in the window and press Enter to launch the app.

10 dxdiag in PowerShell

Method 5: Edit the Desktop Context Menu

Lastly, you can edit the desktop context menu via Registry Editor on Windows 11 to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool with a few clicks.

Note: Back up the Windows Registry files before editing them using File > Export.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R shortcut to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and click OK.

12 Typing regedit

Step 2: Copy-paste the below address in the navigation bar, press Enter, and right-click Shell > New > Key.

Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
13 shell key

Step 3: Type DirectX Diagnostic Tool in the name box and press Enter.

14 DirectX Diagnostic Tool key

Step 4: Right-click the DirectX Diagnostic Tool key > choose New > select Key > Name this key as command.

15 command key

Step 5: Finally, double-click the (Default) string on the right, paste the below location in the Value data, and click OK. Restart your PC to view the applied changes.

C:\Windows\System32\dxdiag.exe
assign value data

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Last updated on 22 May, 2024

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