Microsoft is working on adding an HDR calibration feature to DirectX on Windows, similar to what’s available on Xbox consoles.
The company was announced that will launch a HDR Calibration App for Windows which will allow users to calibrate their HDR monitors.
Calibrating HDR is important because brightness levels are not the same on all screens. If Windows cannot correctly detect the maximum and minimum brightness of a panel, it can cause loss of detail in the light or dark areas of the image.
The Windows HDR Calibration app will work similarly to Xbox, following testing standards recommended by the HDR Gaming Interest Group.
Microsoft has also included another feature in the latest version of Windows 11 called “Optimizations for Window Games”.
This feature can improve latency and enable features like automatic HDR and variable refresh rate for games running in windowed mode (including borderless windows) instead of full screen. This specifically applies to DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 games.
Microsoft hasn’t specifically said whether Windows HDR Calibration will only be in Windows 11, or if it will also be coming to Windows 10. However, features like Auto HDR are unique to Windows 11, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see it happen here as we go.