How to find out if a game will work on your Windows 10 device

Before you purchase a game, you’ll want to make sure that your device has the system requirements to run it. To verify that the game will work on your device, check the minimum system requirements from the game publisher using the system information for your device.

To make sure that your game will work on your device, you’ll first need to locate your device's system information. Here's how:

1. Press the Windows button on your device or keyboard, or select the Windows icon from the bottom left-hand corner of the main screen.
2. Go to Search, enter dxdiag.exe and then select the DirectX Diagnostic Tool icon from the list of results, or select Enter.

   Note When the DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens, a progress bar appears at the bottom left of the window to let you know when the information has been loaded.

3. After the progress bar disappears, make a note of the values for the following system info:
   • Operating system (OS)
   • Processor
   • Memory (also known as Random Access Memory or RAM)
   • DirectX version
4. On the Display tab, make a note of the value for the Approx. Total Memory information.

   Note This is the Approx. Total Memory value of your display driver, not the memory/RAM of your device.

5. Press Exit to close the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

Now that you have the system information for your device, locate your game's minimum system requirements from one of the following places.

Store on Windows 10

If you bought or want to buy your game from the Store, here's how to check the minimum system requirements for the game:

1. Press the Windows button on your device or keyboard, or select the Windows icon from the bottom left-hand corner of the main screen.
2. Select All apps and then select Store.
3. In the search bar at the top, enter the name of the game for which you’re checking the system requirements.
4. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the game and then look at the Additional Information section.
5. Compare this information against the device information you noted in steps 3 and 4 of the "Find the system information for your device" section, above, to see if your device meets the minimum requirements to play the game.

The online location where you purchased the game

Most online retailers list the minimum system requirements needed to play the game. If you bought or want to buy your game from an online shop other than the Store on Windows 10, here's how to check the minimum system requirements for the game:

1. Go to the website of the online retailer from which you purchased or will purchase the game.
2. Search for the game.
3. On the game details or purchase screen, look for the system requirements.

   Note Some online retailers list suggested system requirements. These recommended values are the optimum for the game to run; however, your game will still continue to work as long as you meet or exceed the minimum requirements.

4. Compare this information against the device information you noted earlier to ensure that your device meets the minimum system requirements in order to play the game.

The game packaging if you purchased the game from a retail store

When you purchase a game from a retail store, the minimum system requirements are listed on the packaging. Check to make sure that your device meets these requirements.

Now that you have the system information for your device and the minimum system requirements for the game, it's easy to find out if the game can run on your device.

The following table shows an example of a device that does not meet the minimum system requirements for a game:

The following table shows an example of a device that does meet the minimum system requirements: