How to Install Directx 8.1

By Susan Reynolds

CD-ROM in a laptop
i cd rom inserted into laptop image by Egor Ukoloff from Fotolia.com

DirectX 8.1 is a version of a software utility by Microsoft that allows you to play multimedia on your computer. You need this software to play games or watch video on your Windows laptop or desktop. It is free to download and easy to install, so be sure that you have the latest version of DirectX on your machine. DirectX permits media graphics to play at an accelerated rate, providing a much better gaming or movie-watching experience.

Turn on your computer and go to the Microsoft website where you can download DirectX 8.1 at no charge.

Click on the "Download" button to start the process.

Hit "Save" to save the program to your computer.

Hit "Run" when the download completes. DirectX will take about 20 minutes or less to download, depending on your processor speed and Internet connection.

Hit "Accept" on the license agreement pop-up.

Save any open programs. Click "Yes" when asked if you want to restart your computer. Your computer will automatically assimilate the program and overwrite any older versions of DirectX.

×