DXVK is a translation layer that converts DirectX calls to Vulkan. It can boost FPS in older games and fix compatibility issues on modern systems. The problem? Installing it manually is tedious—downloading archives, picking the right DLLs, editing config files.
DXVK Studio automates all of that. Point it at your games, pick a version, click install. Done.
- Auto-detects your games from Steam, GOG Galaxy, and Epic Games Store
- Handles 32-bit and 64-bit automatically by reading executable headers
- Multiple DXVK forks — Official, GPL Async (shader stutter fix), and NVAPI
- Safe installs — backs up original DLLs before any changes
- Visual config editor — tweak HUD, VSync, FPS limits without touching files
- Anti-cheat warnings — alerts you before modifying online games
- Activity logs — see everything the app has done
License Notice: Source code is free and open under AGPL-3.0 with additional terms. Binary distribution is prohibited. Only the copyright holder (Zendevve) may distribute compiled binaries. Users may build from source for personal use only, or purchase official builds. See LICENSE.ADDITIONAL for complete terms.
Download, run the installer, done. Supports ongoing development.
System Requirements:
- Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- Vulkan-capable GPU (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel Arc)
⚠️ Note: The installer is not code-signed (code signing certificates cost $200-400/year). Windows SmartScreen may show a warning on first run—click "More info" → "Run anyway" to proceed. This is safe and expected for indie software.
For developers who prefer to compile the application themselves.
You must have the following installed and properly configured:
| Requirement | Version | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js | v20.0.0+ (LTS) | Download — includes npm. Verify with node -v |
| npm | v10.0.0+ | Comes with Node.js. Verify with npm -v |
| Git | Latest | Download — required for cloning |
| Python | 3.10+ | Download — required by node-gyp for native modules |
| Visual Studio Build Tools | 2022 | Download — required for compiling native Node.js addons |
⚠️ Important: The Visual Studio Build Tools installation requires selecting the "Desktop development with C++" workload, which includes the MSVC compiler, Windows SDK, and CMake tools. This is approximately 6-8 GB of disk space.
This project uses better-sqlite3, a native Node.js addon that requires compilation during installation. If you encounter errors during npm install, ensure:
- Python is in your system PATH
- Visual Studio Build Tools are installed with C++ workload
- You're running the terminal as Administrator (if permission errors occur)
# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/Zendevve/dxvk-studio.git
cd dxvk-studio
# 2. Install dependencies (may take several minutes due to native compilation)
npm install
# 3. Verify the installation succeeded
npm test
# 4. Start development server with hot reload
npm run devTo create distributable binaries:
# Full production build (TypeScript compilation + Vite bundling + Electron packaging)
npm run buildThis generates:
release/DXVK Studio Setup X.X.X.exe— NSIS installerrelease/DXVK Studio X.X.X.exe— Portable executable
Note: The build process requires all native dependencies to be properly compiled. If you encounter errors, ensure your Visual Studio Build Tools installation includes the Windows 10/11 SDK.
| Error | Solution |
|---|---|
node-gyp fails |
Install Visual Studio Build Tools with C++ workload |
better-sqlite3 compilation error |
Run npm config set msvs_version 2022 then reinstall |
| Python not found | Add Python to PATH or run npm config set python /path/to/python.exe |
| EACCES permission denied | Run terminal as Administrator |
| Electron download fails | Check firewall/proxy settings; Electron binaries are ~100MB |
- Launch the app — your games appear automatically
- Click a game → choose fork and version → click Install
- To undo, click Uninstall — original files are restored
| Layer | Technology |
|---|---|
| Framework | Electron 33 |
| UI | React 18 + TypeScript |
| Styling | TailwindCSS |
| Build | Vite + electron-builder |
| Testing | Vitest |
| Database | better-sqlite3 (native addon) |
electron/
├── main.ts # App entry, IPC handlers
├── preload.ts # Context bridge (security)
└── services/
├── steam-scanner.ts # VDF parsing, registry queries
├── gog-scanner.ts # GOG Galaxy registry integration
├── epic-scanner.ts # Epic manifest parsing
├── pe-analyzer.ts # PE header reading (32/64-bit detection)
├── engine-manager.ts# GitHub/GitLab API, download, cache
├── deployer.ts # DLL installation, backup, restore
└── anti-cheat.ts # Signature detection
src/
├── App.tsx # Main UI controller
├── components/ # Reusable React components
└── shared/types.ts # Shared TypeScript interfaces
npm run dev # Start with hot reload
npm test # Run test suite
npm run lint # ESLint check
npm run build # Production build- Windows-first: Registry queries, PE parsing, native paths — built for Windows from day one
- Offline-capable: Downloaded engines are cached locally
- Non-destructive: Every install creates backups; uninstall always works
- No admin required: Operates entirely in user space
| Status | Feature |
|---|---|
| ✅ | Multi-launcher game detection |
| ✅ | One-click DXVK install/uninstall |
| ✅ | Config editor with visual UI |
| ✅ | Anti-cheat detection |
| ✅ | Per-game configuration profiles |
| ✅ | HUD position/scale editor |
| 📋 | Profile import/export |
| 📋 | Linux support |
This software is licensed under AGPL-3.0 with additional terms (see LICENSE.ADDITIONAL).
- ✅ Build from source for your personal, non-commercial use only
- ✅ Modify the source code for your own private purposes
- ✅ Distribute only the uncompiled source code (in compliance with AGPL-3.0)
- ✅ Contribute improvements to the official repository via pull requests
- ✅ Help others by sharing build instructions (not pre-built binaries)
- ❌ Distributing compiled binaries, installers, or executable files
- ❌ Hosting pre-built releases for download on any platform
- ❌ Creating "repacks" or unofficial builds
- ❌ Sharing .exe files via any method (file hosts, Discord, forums, torrents)
- ❌ Building binaries for others (including friends or family)
- ❌ Posting compiled releases on GitHub or elsewhere
These terms apply retroactively to all versions. If you distributed binaries before 2026-01-02:
- You must remove all distributed binaries within 7 days
- Delete downloads from all platforms (GitHub Releases, file hosts, etc.)
- Notify recipients that distribution was unauthorized
- Cease all future binary distribution
Failure to comply will be treated as willful copyright infringement.
Binary distribution rights are exclusively reserved to the copyright holder (Zendevve).
Unauthorized distribution may result in:
- DMCA takedown notices
- Cease and desist letters
- Copyright infringement litigation
- Statutory damages under applicable law
- Recovery of legal costs
Authorized sources for compiled binaries:
- Official Gumroad Store
- Official GitHub Releases (only releases posted by @Zendevve)
Any other source is unauthorized.
Pull requests are welcome and encouraged! If you fork this project, please submit your improvements back to the main repository to keep the community unified.
See CHANGELOG.md for version history.
Join the Discord server to ask questions, suggest features, or hang out. This is the best place to reach the developer.
AGPL-3.0 with Additional Terms
Source code: Open and free under AGPL-3.0 Compiled binaries: Distribution rights reserved to copyright holder only
You must share your source code changes if you distribute. Binary redistribution is prohibited under the additional terms.
Made by Zendevve