If you’re a gamer or a content creator, you know the importance of having a fast and efficient storage system. With the release of Windows 10 version 2004, Microsoft introduced a new feature called Direct Storage, which promises to significantly improve storage performance for gaming and other applications.
In this article, we’ll explain what Direct Storage is and how to enable it on your Windows 10 device.
What is Direct Storage?
Direct Storage is a new feature in Windows 10 that allows for faster and more efficient access to storage devices. It is designed to reduce the CPU overhead and improve the overall performance of storage devices, especially for gaming and other high-performance applications.
Traditionally, when a game or application needs to access data from a storage device, it has to go through multiple layers of software before reaching the storage device. This process, known as the Input/Output (I/O) stack, can cause delays and reduce the overall performance of the storage device.
Direct Storage bypasses this I/O stack and allows applications to directly access the storage device, resulting in faster data transfer and reduced CPU usage. This can lead to faster loading times, smoother gameplay, and improved overall performance.
How to check if Your Device Supports Direct Storage
Before we dive into How to enable direct storage, it’s important to check if your device supports this feature. Here’s how to do it:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “dxdiag” and press Enter.
- In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, go to the System tab.
- Look for the “Direct Storage” section. If it says “Available”, your device supports Direct Storage.
If your device does not support Direct Storage, you may need to update your hardware or drivers to enable this feature.
How to Enable Direct Storage on windows 10
If your device supports Direct Storage, here’s how to enable it:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “regedit” and press Enter.
- In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem
- Right-click on the FileSystem key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name the new value “EnableDirectStorage”.
- Double-click on the new value and set its value data to 1.
- Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Congratulations, you have successfully enabled Direct Storage on your Windows 10 device!
How to Optimize Storage for Direct Storage
To get the most out of Direct Storage, it’s important to optimize your storage device. Here are some tips to help you do that:
- Use an NVMe SSD – Direct Storage is designed to work best with NVMe SSDs, which are faster and more efficient than traditional hard drives.
- Use the latest drivers – Make sure you have the latest drivers for your storage device to ensure compatibility with Direct Storage.
- Enable Game Mode – Windows 10’s Game Mode can help optimize your system for gaming and other high-performance applications.
- Keep your storage device clean – Regularly clean up your storage device by deleting unnecessary files and defragmenting it to improve performance.
Real-World Examples of Direct Storage in Action
To give you a better idea of how Direct Storage can improve your gaming experience, here are some real-world examples:
Faster Loading Times
One of the most noticeable benefits of Direct Storage is faster loading times. With traditional storage methods, games have to load data from the storage device, which can take a significant amount of time. With Direct Storage, games can load data directly from the storage device, resulting in significantly faster loading times.
Smoother Gameplay
Direct Storage can also improve the overall performance of games, resulting in smoother gameplay. By reducing the CPU overhead and allowing for faster data transfer, Direct Storage can help games run more efficiently, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
Improved Storage Efficiency
Direct Storage can also help improve the efficiency of your storage device. By reducing the CPU usage and optimizing data transfer, Direct Storage can help your storage device perform at its best, resulting in improved overall storage performance.
Who Can Benefit from Direct Storage?
Direct Storage is not just for gamers. Content creators, such as video editors and graphic designers, can also benefit from this feature. By improving storage performance, Direct Storage can help these professionals work more efficiently and save time.
Takeaways
Direct Storage is a game-changing feature in Windows 10 that can significantly improve storage performance for gaming and other high-performance applications. By reducing the CPU overhead and allowing for faster data transfer, Direct Storage can help you get the most out of your storage device.
If your device supports Direct Storage, make sure to enable it and optimize your storage for the best possible performance. Whether you’re a gamer or a content creator, Direct Storage can help you work more efficiently and achieve better results.
