--- title: "OptiScaler guides | OptiScaler" description: "Step-by-step OptiScaler guides for installation, compatibility, performance, Linux, FSR4 and common user questions." canonical: https://optiscaler.ink/guides updated: 2026-10-18 --- # OptiScaler guides: install, FSR4, Linux, performance and safety Step-by-step OptiScaler guides for installation, compatibility, performance, Linux, FSR4 and common user questions. ## Facts (2026-10-18) - **Version:** OptiScaler 0.9.4 (reference build, July 2026) - **APIs:** DirectX 11, DirectX 12, Vulkan - **Upscalers:** DLSS, FSR and XeSS inputs/outputs where compatible - **Frame generation:** Experimental OptiFG (DirectX 12) - **Overlay:** Insert key - **Install:** ZIP extracted next to the main game executable - **Platform:** Windows; Linux via Proton/Wine varies - **Site:** Independent guide — not the official project site ## What this hub is Step-by-step OptiScaler guides for installation, compatibility, performance, Linux, FSR4 and common user questions. OptiScaler 0.9.4 is a community translation layer for DirectX 11, DirectX 12 and Vulkan games. This host is an independent guide, not the official project site. Start from [Download](https://optiscaler.ink/download), then come back here for the per-game checks. ## The safe order 1. Back up the game folder. 2. Extract the ZIP next to the main game executable. 3. Launch offline and press Insert. 4. Change one output at a time, and never test in online or anti-cheat protected games. ## Pages in OptiScaler guides - [OptiScaler install guide: clean setup from start to finish](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/install-optiscaler-clean-setup) — A practical OptiScaler install workflow with backups, correct game executable placement, first launch checks, and reversible troubleshooting. - [How OptiScaler works: input, output and overlay explained](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/how-optiscaler-works-input-output) — Understand how to use OptiScaler, choose an output upscaler, open the overlay, verify the active path, and tune settings without changing everything at once. - [OptiScaler compatibility guide for DirectX 11, DirectX 12 and Vulkan](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/compatibility-dx11-dx12-vulkan) — Review OptiScaler compatibility concepts for DirectX 11, DirectX 12, Vulkan, upscaler inputs, outputs, and game-specific limitations. - [Best OptiScaler performance settings: a practical tuning method](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/best-performance-settings) — Use a repeatable method to tune OptiScaler performance settings, image quality, sharpening, output ratio and frame generation without guessing. - [Is OptiScaler safe? Anti-cheat, backups and download safety](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/safety-anti-cheat-backups) — Learn the main OptiScaler safety concerns, including anti-cheat risk, third-party downloads, backups, DLL replacement, and reversible testing. - [OptiScaler FSR4 guide: compatibility, INT8 and fallback checks](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/fsr4-compatibility-and-fallback) — Learn how OptiScaler FSR4 support works, why hardware and driver requirements matter, how fallback can occur, and what to verify before tuning. - [OptiScaler Linux guide: Proton, Vulkan and setup considerations](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/linux-proton-guide) — Understand OptiScaler Linux usage through Proton or Wine, Vulkan and DirectX translation, driver requirements, prefixes, and practical troubleshooting. - [OptiScaler Manager and OptiScaler Client: what users should know](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/manager-and-client-safety) — Understand OptiScaler Manager and OptiScaler Client search terms, source verification, why unofficial helper apps require caution, and safer setup habits. - [OptiScaler not working? Fix common errors and overlay problems](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/fix-common-errors) — Troubleshoot OptiScaler not working, missing overlay, startup crashes, wrong output selection, and configuration conflicts with a step-by-step process. - [How to update OptiScaler without breaking a working game](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/update-optiscaler-safely) — Keep a copy of the current working setup, note custom INI values, remove stale files when required, and test the new build in one game first. - [How to choose an OptiScaler output: FSR, XeSS or DLSS](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/choose-the-right-output) — The game supplies the input; you choose the output. Match the output to your GPU, the API and the image quality you want, then verify it is really active. - [OptiFG: experimental frame generation in OptiScaler](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/optifg-frame-generation) — OptiFG can add frame generation in some DirectX 12 scenarios. Watch for UI artifacts and latency changes, and keep base frame rate healthy first. ## FAQ ### What is OptiScaler? OptiScaler is a community tool that can intercept supported in-game upscaler calls and redirect them to another supported upscaling backend, with additional tuning options. ### How does OptiScaler work in a game? The game exposes an input upscaler, OptiScaler sits between the game and the selected output backend, and the chosen output handles the final upscaling path where compatibility allows. ### Does OptiScaler support DirectX 11? Yes, DirectX 11 is supported, although the available output methods and behavior can differ from DirectX 12. ### Does OptiScaler support DirectX 12? Yes. DirectX 12 has broad support and is also the API used by experimental OptiFG functionality. ## Related - [OptiScaler FAQ: the official 20 questions, answered](https://optiscaler.ink/faq) - [OptiScaler install guide: clean setup from start to finish](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/install-optiscaler-clean-setup) - [How OptiScaler works: input, output and overlay explained](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/how-optiscaler-works-input-output) - [OptiScaler compatibility guide for DirectX 11, DirectX 12 and Vulkan](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/compatibility-dx11-dx12-vulkan) - [Best OptiScaler performance settings: a practical tuning method](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/best-performance-settings) - [Is OptiScaler safe? Anti-cheat, backups and download safety](https://optiscaler.ink/guides/safety-anti-cheat-backups) ## Download ZIP next to the game executable: [Download OptiScaler](https://optiscaler.ink/download) Markdown mirror: https://optiscaler.ink/guides.md