Microsoft releases DirectStorage for faster game loading in Windows 10 and 11

Microsoft has released the DirectStorage SDK. The function should reduce loading times of games under Windows 10 and Windows 11. The SDK allows game makers to integrate the feature into their games.

Developers can release games with DirectStorage compatibility right away, Microsoft says. The software maker will also show the technology at the Game Developers Conference next week. DirectStorage is already included in DirectX 12 and is therefore available on all PCs that have it running.

DirectStorage is a storage API that enables faster load times by better handling higher I/O requests in combination with NVMe storage. Requires an NVMe SSD with PCIe 3.0 or later and a GPU with DirectX 12 Shader Model 6.0 or later.

The feature works on Windows 10, but according to Microsoft it would work better on Windows 11. DirectStorage is based on technology that Microsoft has also integrated into the Xbox Series X. It is not yet known if, when and which games will support DirectStorage.