Developing Windows apps (DirectX)

[ This article is for Windows 8.x and Windows Phone 8.x developers writing Windows Runtime apps. If you’re developing for Windows 10, see the latest documentation ]

Purpose

This section describes how to develop Windows apps using C++ and DirectX.

Developer audience

You'll want to view this section if you're creating a Windows app using DirectX with C++, particularly a game or graphics-intensive app.

Not using C++ and DirectX?

 

Run-time requirements

  • Windows 10

In this section

Topic Description

Developing for feature levels

Windows 8 supports a wide range of hardware configurations, from power efficient Windows RT systems to high-end gaming desktops with multiple graphics processing units (GPUs). Understanding how to optimize across many devices that have different levels of graphics performance will enable you to reach a wider audience for your Windows Store app using DirectX with C++.

Writing code for Windows Store apps

This section explains some of the things you need to know about writing DirectX and C++ code for Windows Store apps.

Creating a UI

Learn how to add controls and content to your Windows Runtime app using DirectX with C++, and how to support the app bar and charms.

Responding to user interaction

This section goes over touch input and other user interaction as it relates to DirectX development for Windows Runtime apps and games.

Launching and resuming apps

Learn how to launch, suspend, and resume your Windows Runtime app using DirectX.

Direct2D printing from apps

These topics show you how to use Direct2D printing to print content from a Windows Store app using DirectX. They assume that you already know how to write code in C++, so they focus on the techniques that are specific to printing from Windows Store apps using DirectX.

 

Roadmap for Windows apps using DirectX and C++