diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GS.cpp b/plugins/GSdx/GS.cpp
index fd867e51fe..d3579fbff5 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GS.cpp
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GS.cpp
@@ -127,11 +127,10 @@ EXPORT_C_(int) GSinit()
 
 	s_hr = ::CoInitializeEx(NULL, COINIT_MULTITHREADED);
 
-	if(!GSUtil::CheckDirectX())
+	if (!GSDeviceDX::LoadD3DCompiler())
 	{
 		return -1;
 	}
-
 #endif
 
 	return 0;
@@ -156,6 +155,8 @@ EXPORT_C GSshutdown()
 		s_hr = E_FAIL;
 	}
 
+	GSDeviceDX::FreeD3DCompiler();
+
 #endif
 }
 
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice11.cpp b/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice11.cpp
index e15a44e314..12fe4c4202 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice11.cpp
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice11.cpp
@@ -175,11 +175,11 @@ bool GSDevice11::Create(GSWnd* wnd)
 
 	vector<unsigned char> shader;
 	theApp.LoadResource(IDR_CONVERT_FX, shader);
-	CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "convert.fx", "vs_main", NULL, &m_convert.vs, il_convert, countof(il_convert), &m_convert.il);
+	CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "convert.fx", nullptr, "vs_main", nullptr, &m_convert.vs, il_convert, countof(il_convert), &m_convert.il);
 
 	for(size_t i = 0; i < countof(m_convert.ps); i++)
 	{
-		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "convert.fx", format("ps_main%d", i).c_str(), NULL, &m_convert.ps[i]);
+		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "convert.fx", nullptr, format("ps_main%d", i).c_str(), nullptr, &m_convert.ps[i]);
 	}
 
 	memset(&dsd, 0, sizeof(dsd));
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ bool GSDevice11::Create(GSWnd* wnd)
 	theApp.LoadResource(IDR_MERGE_FX, shader);
 	for(size_t i = 0; i < countof(m_merge.ps); i++)
 	{
-		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "merge.fx", format("ps_main%d", i).c_str(), NULL, &m_merge.ps[i]);
+		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "merge.fx", nullptr, format("ps_main%d", i).c_str(), nullptr, &m_merge.ps[i]);
 	}
 
 	memset(&bsd, 0, sizeof(bsd));
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ bool GSDevice11::Create(GSWnd* wnd)
 	theApp.LoadResource(IDR_INTERLACE_FX, shader);
 	for(size_t i = 0; i < countof(m_interlace.ps); i++)
 	{
-		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "interlace.fx", format("ps_main%d", i).c_str(), NULL, &m_interlace.ps[i]);
+		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "interlace.fx", nullptr, format("ps_main%d", i).c_str(), nullptr, &m_interlace.ps[i]);
 	}
 
 	// Shade Boost	
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ bool GSDevice11::Create(GSWnd* wnd)
 	str[1] = format("%d", ShadeBoost_Brightness);
 	str[2] = format("%d", ShadeBoost_Contrast);
 
-	D3D11_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
+	D3D_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
 	{			
 		{"SB_SATURATION", str[0].c_str()},
 		{"SB_BRIGHTNESS", str[1].c_str()},
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ bool GSDevice11::Create(GSWnd* wnd)
 	hr = m_dev->CreateBuffer(&bd, NULL, &m_shadeboost.cb);
 
 	theApp.LoadResource(IDR_SHADEBOOST_FX, shader);
-	CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "shadeboost.fx", "ps_main", macro, &m_shadeboost.ps);
+	CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "shadeboost.fx", nullptr, "ps_main", macro, &m_shadeboost.ps);
 
 	// External fx shader
 
@@ -768,7 +768,7 @@ void GSDevice11::InitExternalFX()
 			if (fshader.good())
 			{
 				shader << fshader.rdbuf();
-				CompileShader(shader.str().c_str(), shader.str().length(), shader_name.c_str(), "ps_main", NULL, &m_shaderfx.ps);
+				CompileShader(shader.str().c_str(), shader.str().length(), shader_name.c_str(), D3D_COMPILE_STANDARD_FILE_INCLUDE, "ps_main", nullptr, &m_shaderfx.ps);
 			}
 			else
 			{
@@ -811,7 +811,7 @@ void GSDevice11::InitFXAA()
 		try {
 			vector<unsigned char> shader;
 			theApp.LoadResource(IDR_FXAA_FX, shader);
-			CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "fxaa.fx", "ps_main", NULL, &m_fxaa.ps);
+			CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "fxaa.fx", nullptr, "ps_main", nullptr, &m_fxaa.ps);
 		}
 		catch (GSDXRecoverableError) {
 			printf("GSdx: failed to compile fxaa shader.\n");
@@ -1324,17 +1324,17 @@ void GSDevice11::OMSetRenderTargets(const GSVector2i& rtsize, int count, ID3D11U
 	}
 }
 
-void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, const char* entry, D3D11_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11VertexShader** vs, D3D11_INPUT_ELEMENT_DESC* layout, int count, ID3D11InputLayout** il)
+void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, ID3DInclude *include, const char* entry, D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11VertexShader** vs, D3D11_INPUT_ELEMENT_DESC* layout, int count, ID3D11InputLayout** il)
 {
 	HRESULT hr;
 
-	vector<D3D11_SHADER_MACRO> m;
+	vector<D3D_SHADER_MACRO> m;
 
 	PrepareShaderMacro(m, macro);
 
-	CComPtr<ID3D11Blob> shader, error;
+	CComPtr<ID3DBlob> shader, error;
 
-	hr = D3DX11CompileFromMemory(source, size, fn, &m[0], NULL, entry, m_shader.vs.c_str(), 0, 0, NULL, &shader, &error, NULL);
+	hr = s_pD3DCompile(source, size, fn, &m[0], s_old_d3d_compiler_dll? nullptr : include, entry, m_shader.vs.c_str(), 0, 0, &shader, &error);
 
 	if(error)
 	{
@@ -1361,17 +1361,17 @@ void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn,
 	}
 }
 
-void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, const char* entry, D3D11_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11GeometryShader** gs)
+void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, ID3DInclude *include, const char* entry, D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11GeometryShader** gs)
 {
 	HRESULT hr;
 
-	vector<D3D11_SHADER_MACRO> m;
+	vector<D3D_SHADER_MACRO> m;
 
 	PrepareShaderMacro(m, macro);
 
-	CComPtr<ID3D11Blob> shader, error;
+	CComPtr<ID3DBlob> shader, error;
 
-	hr = D3DX11CompileFromMemory(source, size, fn, &m[0], NULL, entry, m_shader.gs.c_str(), 0, 0, NULL, &shader, &error, NULL);
+	hr = s_pD3DCompile(source, size, fn, &m[0], s_old_d3d_compiler_dll ? nullptr : include, entry, m_shader.gs.c_str(), 0, 0, &shader, &error);
 
 	if(error)
 	{
@@ -1391,17 +1391,17 @@ void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn,
 	}
 }
 
-void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, const char* entry, D3D11_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11GeometryShader** gs, D3D11_SO_DECLARATION_ENTRY* layout, int count)
+void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, ID3DInclude *include, const char* entry, D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11GeometryShader** gs, D3D11_SO_DECLARATION_ENTRY* layout, int count)
 {
 	HRESULT hr;
 
-	vector<D3D11_SHADER_MACRO> m;
+	vector<D3D_SHADER_MACRO> m;
 
 	PrepareShaderMacro(m, macro);
 
-	CComPtr<ID3D11Blob> shader, error;
+	CComPtr<ID3DBlob> shader, error;
 
-	hr = D3DX11CompileFromMemory(source, size, fn, &m[0], NULL, entry, m_shader.gs.c_str(), 0, 0, NULL, &shader, &error, NULL);
+	hr = s_pD3DCompile(source, size, fn, &m[0], s_old_d3d_compiler_dll ? nullptr : include, entry, m_shader.gs.c_str(), 0, 0, &shader, &error);
 
 	if(error)
 	{
@@ -1421,17 +1421,17 @@ void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn,
 	}
 }
 
-void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, const char* entry, D3D11_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11PixelShader** ps)
+void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, ID3DInclude *include, const char* entry, D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11PixelShader** ps)
 {
 	HRESULT hr;
 
-	vector<D3D11_SHADER_MACRO> m;
+	vector<D3D_SHADER_MACRO> m;
 
 	PrepareShaderMacro(m, macro);
 
-	CComPtr<ID3D11Blob> shader, error;
+	CComPtr<ID3DBlob> shader, error;
 
-	hr = D3DX11CompileFromMemory(source, size, fn, &m[0], NULL, entry, m_shader.ps.c_str(), 0, 0, NULL, &shader, &error, NULL);
+	hr = s_pD3DCompile(source, size, fn, &m[0], s_old_d3d_compiler_dll ? nullptr : include, entry, m_shader.ps.c_str(), 0, 0, &shader, &error);
 
 	if(error)
 	{
@@ -1451,17 +1451,17 @@ void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn,
 	}
 }
 
-void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char *fn, const char* entry, D3D11_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11ComputeShader** cs)
+void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char *fn, ID3DInclude *include, const char* entry, D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11ComputeShader** cs)
 {
 	HRESULT hr;
 
-	vector<D3D11_SHADER_MACRO> m;
+	vector<D3D_SHADER_MACRO> m;
 
 	PrepareShaderMacro(m, macro);
 
-	CComPtr<ID3D11Blob> shader, error;
+	CComPtr<ID3DBlob> shader, error;
 
-	hr = D3DX11CompileFromMemory(source, size, fn, &m[0], NULL, entry, m_shader.cs.c_str(), 0, 0, NULL, &shader, &error, NULL);
+	hr = s_pD3DCompile(source, size, fn, &m[0], s_old_d3d_compiler_dll ? nullptr : include, entry, m_shader.cs.c_str(), 0, 0, &shader, &error);
 
 	if(error)
 	{
@@ -1480,4 +1480,3 @@ void GSDevice11::CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char *fn,
 		throw GSDXRecoverableError();
 	}
 }
-
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice11.h b/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice11.h
index 30413f0d55..06ef75f230 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice11.h
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice11.h
@@ -227,10 +227,10 @@ public:
 	operator ID3D11Device*() {return m_dev;}
 	operator ID3D11DeviceContext*() {return m_ctx;}
 
-	void CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, const char* entry, D3D11_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11VertexShader** vs, D3D11_INPUT_ELEMENT_DESC* layout, int count, ID3D11InputLayout** il);
-	void CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, const char* entry, D3D11_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11GeometryShader** gs);
-	void CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, const char* entry, D3D11_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11GeometryShader** gs, D3D11_SO_DECLARATION_ENTRY* layout, int count);
-	void CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, const char* entry, D3D11_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11PixelShader** ps);
-	void CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, const char* entry, D3D11_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11ComputeShader** cs);
+	void CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, ID3DInclude *include, const char* entry, D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11VertexShader** vs, D3D11_INPUT_ELEMENT_DESC* layout, int count, ID3D11InputLayout** il);
+	void CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, ID3DInclude *include, const char* entry, D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11GeometryShader** gs);
+	void CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, ID3DInclude *include, const char* entry, D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11GeometryShader** gs, D3D11_SO_DECLARATION_ENTRY* layout, int count);
+	void CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, ID3DInclude *include, const char* entry, D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11PixelShader** ps);
+	void CompileShader(const char* source, size_t size, const char* fn, ID3DInclude *include, const char* entry, D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, ID3D11ComputeShader** cs);
 };
 
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice9.cpp b/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice9.cpp
index 25d41dcc4f..1414d07fd7 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice9.cpp
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice9.cpp
@@ -292,11 +292,11 @@ bool GSDevice9::Create(GSWnd* wnd)
 
 	vector<unsigned char> shader;
 	theApp.LoadResource(IDR_CONVERT_FX, shader);
-	CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "vs_main", NULL, &m_convert.vs, il_convert, countof(il_convert), &m_convert.il);
+	CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "convert.fx", "vs_main", nullptr, &m_convert.vs, il_convert, countof(il_convert), &m_convert.il);
 
 	for(size_t i = 0; i < countof(m_convert.ps); i++)
 	{
-		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), format("ps_main%d", i), NULL, &m_convert.ps[i]);
+		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "convert.fx", format("ps_main%d", i), nullptr, &m_convert.ps[i]);
 	}
 
 	m_convert.dss.DepthEnable = false;
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ bool GSDevice9::Create(GSWnd* wnd)
 	theApp.LoadResource(IDR_MERGE_FX, shader);
 	for(size_t i = 0; i < countof(m_merge.ps); i++)
 	{
-		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), format("ps_main%d", i), NULL, &m_merge.ps[i]);
+		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "merge.fx", format("ps_main%d", i), nullptr, &m_merge.ps[i]);
 	}
 
 	m_merge.bs.BlendEnable = true;
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ bool GSDevice9::Create(GSWnd* wnd)
 	theApp.LoadResource(IDR_INTERLACE_FX, shader);
 	for(size_t i = 0; i < countof(m_interlace.ps); i++)
 	{
-		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), format("ps_main%d", i), NULL, &m_interlace.ps[i]);
+		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "interlace.fx", format("ps_main%d", i), nullptr, &m_interlace.ps[i]);
 	}
 
 	// Shade Boost	
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ bool GSDevice9::Create(GSWnd* wnd)
 	str[1] = format("%d", ShadeBoost_Brightness);
 	str[2] = format("%d", ShadeBoost_Contrast);
 
-	D3DXMACRO macro[] =
+	D3D_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
 	{			
 		{"SB_SATURATION", str[0].c_str()},
 		{"SB_BRIGHTNESS", str[1].c_str()},
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ bool GSDevice9::Create(GSWnd* wnd)
 	};
 
 	theApp.LoadResource(IDR_SHADEBOOST_FX, shader);
-	CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "ps_main", macro, &m_shadeboost.ps);
+	CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "shadeboost.fx", "ps_main", macro, &m_shadeboost.ps);
 
 	// create shader layout
 
@@ -952,7 +952,7 @@ void GSDevice9::InitExternalFX()
 			if (fshader.good())
 			{
 				shader << fshader.rdbuf();
-				CompileShader(shader.str().c_str(), shader.str().length(), "ps_main", NULL, &m_shaderfx.ps);
+				CompileShader(shader.str().c_str(), shader.str().length(), shader_name.c_str(), "ps_main", nullptr, &m_shaderfx.ps);
 			}
 			else
 			{
@@ -991,7 +991,7 @@ void GSDevice9::InitFXAA()
 		try {
 			vector<unsigned char> shader;
 			theApp.LoadResource(IDR_FXAA_FX, shader);
-			CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "ps_main", NULL, &m_fxaa.ps);
+			CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "fxaa.fx", "ps_main", nullptr, &m_fxaa.ps);
 		}
 		catch (GSDXRecoverableError) {
 			printf("GSdx: Failed to compile fxaa shader.\n");
@@ -1447,17 +1447,17 @@ void GSDevice9::OMSetRenderTargets(GSTexture* rt, GSTexture* ds, const GSVector4
 	}
 }
 
-void GSDevice9::CompileShader(const char *source, size_t size, const string& entry, const D3DXMACRO* macro, IDirect3DVertexShader9** vs, const D3DVERTEXELEMENT9* layout, int count, IDirect3DVertexDeclaration9** il)
+void GSDevice9::CompileShader(const char *source, size_t size, const char *filename, const string& entry, const D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, IDirect3DVertexShader9** vs, const D3DVERTEXELEMENT9* layout, int count, IDirect3DVertexDeclaration9** il)
 {
-	vector<D3DXMACRO> m;
+	vector<D3D_SHADER_MACRO> m;
 
 	PrepareShaderMacro(m, macro);
 
 	HRESULT hr;
 
-	CComPtr<ID3DXBuffer> shader, error;
+	CComPtr<ID3DBlob> shader, error;
 
-	hr = D3DXCompileShader(source, size, &m[0], NULL, entry.c_str(), m_shader.vs.c_str(), 0, &shader, &error, NULL);
+	hr = s_pD3DCompile(source, size, nullptr, &m[0], nullptr, entry.c_str(), m_shader.vs.c_str(), 0, 0, &shader, &error);
 
 	if(SUCCEEDED(hr))
 	{
@@ -1483,27 +1483,27 @@ void GSDevice9::CompileShader(const char *source, size_t size, const string& ent
 	}
 }
 
-void GSDevice9::CompileShader(const char *source, size_t size, const string& entry, const D3DXMACRO* macro, IDirect3DPixelShader9** ps)
+void GSDevice9::CompileShader(const char *source, size_t size, const char *filename, const string& entry, const D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, IDirect3DPixelShader9** ps)
 {
 	uint32 flags = 0;
 
 	if(m_shader.level >= D3D_FEATURE_LEVEL_9_3)
 	{
-		flags |= D3DXSHADER_AVOID_FLOW_CONTROL;
+		flags |= D3DCOMPILE_AVOID_FLOW_CONTROL;
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		flags |= D3DXSHADER_SKIPVALIDATION;
+		flags |= D3DCOMPILE_SKIP_VALIDATION;
 	}
 
-	vector<D3DXMACRO> m;
+	vector<D3D_SHADER_MACRO> m;
 
 	PrepareShaderMacro(m, macro);
 
 	HRESULT hr;
 
-	CComPtr<ID3DXBuffer> shader, error;
-	hr = D3DXCompileShader(source, size, &m[0], NULL, entry.c_str(), m_shader.ps.c_str(), flags, &shader, &error, NULL);
+	CComPtr<ID3DBlob> shader, error;
+	hr = s_pD3DCompile(source, size, filename, &m[0], nullptr, entry.c_str(), m_shader.ps.c_str(), flags, 0, &shader, &error);
 
 	if(SUCCEEDED(hr))
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice9.h b/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice9.h
index 6fbf359376..6bb1477e34 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice9.h
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GSDevice9.h
@@ -237,8 +237,8 @@ public:
 	IDirect3DDevice9* operator->() {return m_dev;}
 	operator IDirect3DDevice9*() {return m_dev;}
 
-	void CompileShader(const char *source, size_t size, const string& entry, const D3DXMACRO* macro, IDirect3DVertexShader9** vs, const D3DVERTEXELEMENT9* layout, int count, IDirect3DVertexDeclaration9** il);
-	void CompileShader(const char *source, size_t size, const string& entry, const D3DXMACRO* macro, IDirect3DPixelShader9** ps);
+	void CompileShader(const char *source, size_t size, const char *filename, const string& entry, const D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, IDirect3DVertexShader9** vs, const D3DVERTEXELEMENT9* layout, int count, IDirect3DVertexDeclaration9** il);
+	void CompileShader(const char *source, size_t size, const char *filename, const string& entry, const D3D_SHADER_MACRO* macro, IDirect3DPixelShader9** ps);
 
 	void SetupVS(VSSelector sel, const VSConstantBuffer* cb);
 	void SetupGS(GSSelector sel) {}
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GSDeviceDX.cpp b/plugins/GSdx/GSDeviceDX.cpp
index 2b23b5b5bc..346de8c1a6 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GSDeviceDX.cpp
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GSDeviceDX.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,11 @@
 #include "stdafx.h"
 #include "GSdx.h"
 #include "GSDeviceDX.h"
+#include <VersionHelpers.h>
+
+HMODULE GSDeviceDX::s_d3d_compiler_dll = nullptr;
+decltype(&D3DCompile) GSDeviceDX::s_pD3DCompile = nullptr;
+bool GSDeviceDX::s_old_d3d_compiler_dll;
 
 GSDeviceDX::GSDeviceDX()
 {
@@ -35,6 +40,48 @@ GSDeviceDX::~GSDeviceDX()
 {
 }
 
+bool GSDeviceDX::LoadD3DCompiler()
+{
+	// Windows 8.1 and later come with the latest d3dcompiler_47.dll, but
+	// Windows 7 devs might also have the dll available for use (which will
+	// have to be placed in the application directory)
+	s_d3d_compiler_dll = LoadLibraryEx(D3DCOMPILER_DLL, nullptr, LOAD_LIBRARY_SEARCH_APPLICATION_DIR | LOAD_LIBRARY_SEARCH_SYSTEM32);
+
+	// Windows Vista and 7 can use the older version. If the previous LoadLibrary
+	// call fails on Windows 8.1 and later, then the user's system is likely
+	// broken.
+	if (s_d3d_compiler_dll)
+	{
+		s_old_d3d_compiler_dll = false;
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		if (!IsWindows8Point1OrGreater())
+			s_d3d_compiler_dll = LoadLibraryEx("D3DCompiler_43.dll", nullptr, LOAD_LIBRARY_SEARCH_SYSTEM32);
+
+		if (s_d3d_compiler_dll == nullptr)
+			return false;
+
+		s_old_d3d_compiler_dll = true;
+	}
+
+	s_pD3DCompile = reinterpret_cast<decltype(&D3DCompile)>(GetProcAddress(s_d3d_compiler_dll, "D3DCompile"));
+	if (s_pD3DCompile)
+		return true;
+
+	FreeLibrary(s_d3d_compiler_dll);
+	s_d3d_compiler_dll = nullptr;
+	return false;
+}
+
+void GSDeviceDX::FreeD3DCompiler()
+{
+	s_pD3DCompile = nullptr;
+	if (s_d3d_compiler_dll)
+		FreeLibrary(s_d3d_compiler_dll);
+	s_d3d_compiler_dll = nullptr;
+}
+
 GSTexture* GSDeviceDX::FetchSurface(int type, int w, int h, bool msaa, int format)
 {
 	if(m_msaa < 2)
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GSDeviceDX.h b/plugins/GSdx/GSDeviceDX.h
index 680b22744a..cdf03312ad 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GSDeviceDX.h
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GSDeviceDX.h
@@ -278,6 +278,12 @@ protected:
 	uint32 m_msaa;
 	DXGI_SAMPLE_DESC m_msaa_desc;
 
+	static HMODULE s_d3d_compiler_dll;
+	static decltype(&D3DCompile) s_pD3DCompile;
+	// Older version doesn't support D3D_COMPILE_STANDARD_FILE_INCLUDE, which
+	// could be useful for external shaders.
+	static bool s_old_d3d_compiler_dll;
+
 	GSTexture* FetchSurface(int type, int w, int h, bool msaa, int format);
 
 public:
@@ -297,6 +303,9 @@ public:
 	virtual bool HasStencil() = 0;
 	virtual bool HasDepth32() = 0;
 
+	static bool LoadD3DCompiler();
+	static void FreeD3DCompiler();
+
 	template<class T> void PrepareShaderMacro(vector<T>& dst, const T* src)
 	{
 		dst.clear();
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GSRendererCS.cpp b/plugins/GSdx/GSRendererCS.cpp
index de09cd5f9c..86b1e23b07 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GSRendererCS.cpp
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GSRendererCS.cpp
@@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ bool GSRendererCS::CreateDevice(GSDevice* dev_unk)
 
 	// PS
 
-	D3D11_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
+	D3D_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
 	{
 		{NULL, NULL},
 	};
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ bool GSRendererCS::CreateDevice(GSDevice* dev_unk)
 	{
 		vector<unsigned char> shader;
 		theApp.LoadResource(IDR_CS_FX, shader);
-		dev->CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "cs.fx", "ps_main0", macro, &m_ps0);
+		dev->CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "cs.fx", nullptr, "ps_main0", macro, &m_ps0);
 	}
 	catch (GSDXRecoverableError)
 	{
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@ void GSRendererCS::Draw()
 			str[0] = format("%d", vs_sel.tme);
 			str[1] = format("%d", vs_sel.fst);
 
-			D3D11_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
+			D3D_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
 			{
 				{"VS_TME", str[0].c_str()},
 				{"VS_FST", str[1].c_str()},
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ void GSRendererCS::Draw()
 
 			vector<unsigned char> shader;
 			theApp.LoadResource(IDR_CS_FX, shader);
-			dev->CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "cs.fx", "vs_main", macro, &vs.vs, layout, countof(layout), &vs.il);
+			dev->CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "cs.fx", nullptr, "vs_main", macro, &vs.vs, layout, countof(layout), &vs.il);
 
 			m_vs[vs_sel] = vs;
 		}
@@ -571,7 +571,7 @@ void GSRendererCS::Draw()
 			str[0] = format("%d", gs_sel.iip);
 			str[1] = format("%d", j == 0 ? gs_sel.prim : GS_SPRITE_CLASS);
 
-			D3D11_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
+			D3D_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
 			{
 				{"GS_IIP", str[0].c_str()},
 				{"GS_PRIM", str[1].c_str()},
@@ -580,7 +580,7 @@ void GSRendererCS::Draw()
 
 			vector<unsigned char> shader;
 			theApp.LoadResource(IDR_CS_FX, shader);
-			dev->CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "cs.fx", "gs_main", macro, &gs[j]);
+			dev->CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "cs.fx", nullptr, "gs_main", macro, &gs[j]);
 
 			m_gs[gs_sel] = gs[j];
 		}
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ void GSRendererCS::Draw()
 		str[1] = format("%d", context->FRAME.PSM);
 		str[2] = format("%d", context->ZBUF.PSM);
 
-		D3D11_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
+		D3D_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
 		{
 			{"PS_BATCH_SIZE", str[0].c_str()},
 			{"PS_FPSM", str[1].c_str()},
@@ -621,7 +621,7 @@ void GSRendererCS::Draw()
 
 		vector<unsigned char> shader;
 		theApp.LoadResource(IDR_CS_FX, shader);
-		dev->CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "cs.fx", "ps_main1", macro, &ps[1]);
+		dev->CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "cs.fx", nullptr, "ps_main1", macro, &ps[1]);
 
 		m_ps1[ps_sel] = ps[1];
 	}
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GSTextureFX11.cpp b/plugins/GSdx/GSTextureFX11.cpp
index cb3f022eaa..77cf05d2fb 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GSTextureFX11.cpp
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GSTextureFX11.cpp
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ void GSDevice11::SetupVS(VSSelector sel, const VSConstantBuffer* cb)
 		str[2] = format("%d", sel.fst);
 		str[3] = format("%d", sel.rtcopy);
 
-		D3D11_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
+		D3D_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
 		{
 			{"VS_BPPZ", str[0].c_str()},
 			{"VS_TME", str[1].c_str()},
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ void GSDevice11::SetupVS(VSSelector sel, const VSConstantBuffer* cb)
 
 		vector<unsigned char> shader;
 		theApp.LoadResource(IDR_TFX_FX, shader);
-		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "tfx.fx", "vs_main", macro, &vs.vs, layout, countof(layout), &vs.il);
+		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "tfx.fx", nullptr, "vs_main", macro, &vs.vs, layout, countof(layout), &vs.il);
 
 		m_vs[sel] = vs;
 
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ void GSDevice11::SetupGS(GSSelector sel)
 			str[0] = format("%d", sel.iip);
 			str[1] = format("%d", sel.prim);
 
-			D3D11_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
+			D3D_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
 			{
 				{"GS_IIP", str[0].c_str()},
 				{"GS_PRIM", str[1].c_str()},
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ void GSDevice11::SetupGS(GSSelector sel)
 
 			vector<unsigned char> shader;
 			theApp.LoadResource(IDR_TFX_FX, shader);
-			CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "tfx.fx", "gs_main", macro, &gs);
+			CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "tfx.fx", nullptr, "gs_main", macro, &gs);
 
 			m_gs[sel] = gs;
 		}
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ void GSDevice11::SetupPS(PSSelector sel, const PSConstantBuffer* cb, PSSamplerSe
 		str[18] = format("%d", sel.shuffle);
 		str[19] = format("%d", sel.read_ba);
 
-		D3D11_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
+		D3D_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
 		{
 			{"PS_FST", str[0].c_str()},
 			{"PS_WMS", str[1].c_str()},
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ void GSDevice11::SetupPS(PSSelector sel, const PSConstantBuffer* cb, PSSamplerSe
 
 		vector<unsigned char> shader;
 		theApp.LoadResource(IDR_TFX_FX, shader);
-		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "tfx.fx", "ps_main", macro, &ps);
+		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "tfx.fx", nullptr, "ps_main", macro, &ps);
 
 		m_ps[sel] = ps;
 
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GSTextureFX9.cpp b/plugins/GSdx/GSTextureFX9.cpp
index 4a19122921..66f735c17c 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GSTextureFX9.cpp
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GSTextureFX9.cpp
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ void GSDevice9::SetupVS(VSSelector sel, const VSConstantBuffer* cb)
 		str[3] = format("%d", sel.logz);
 		str[4] = format("%d", sel.rtcopy);
 
-		D3DXMACRO macro[] =
+		D3D_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
 		{
 			{"VS_BPPZ", str[0].c_str()},
 			{"VS_TME", str[1].c_str()},
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ void GSDevice9::SetupVS(VSSelector sel, const VSConstantBuffer* cb)
 
 		vector<unsigned char> shader;
 		theApp.LoadResource(IDR_TFX_FX, shader);
-		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "vs_main", macro, &vs.vs, layout, countof(layout), &vs.il);
+		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "tfx.fx", "vs_main", macro, &vs.vs, layout, countof(layout), &vs.il);
 
 		m_vs[sel] = vs;
 
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ void GSDevice9::SetupPS(PSSelector sel, const PSConstantBuffer* cb, PSSamplerSel
 		str[15] = format("%d", sel.tcoffsethack);
 		str[16] = format("%d", sel.point_sampler);
 
-		D3DXMACRO macro[] =
+		D3D_SHADER_MACRO macro[] =
 		{
 			{"PS_FST", str[0].c_str()},
 			{"PS_WMS", str[1].c_str()},
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ void GSDevice9::SetupPS(PSSelector sel, const PSConstantBuffer* cb, PSSamplerSel
 
 		vector<unsigned char> shader;
 		theApp.LoadResource(IDR_TFX_FX, shader);
-		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "ps_main", macro, &ps);
+		CompileShader((const char *)shader.data(), shader.size(), "tfx.fx", "ps_main", macro, &ps);
 
 		m_ps[sel] = ps;
 
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/GSUtil.cpp b/plugins/GSdx/GSUtil.cpp
index 27e0b9869c..2afded494d 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/GSUtil.cpp
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/GSUtil.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 #include "xbyak/xbyak_util.h"
 
 #ifdef _WIN32
+#include "GSDeviceDX.h"
+#include <VersionHelpers.h>
 #include "svnrev.h"
 #else
 #define SVN_REV 0
@@ -324,43 +326,22 @@ string GSUtil::GetDeviceUniqueName(cl::Device& device)
 
 bool GSUtil::CheckDirectX()
 {
-	OSVERSIONINFOEX version;
-	memset(&version, 0, sizeof(version));
-	version.dwOSVersionInfoSize = sizeof(version);
-
-	if(GetVersionEx((OSVERSIONINFO*)&version))
+	if (GSDeviceDX::LoadD3DCompiler())
 	{
-		printf("Windows %d.%d.%d", version.dwMajorVersion, version.dwMinorVersion, version.dwBuildNumber);
+		GSDeviceDX::FreeD3DCompiler();
+		return true;
+	}
 
-		if(version.wServicePackMajor > 0)
+	// User's system is likely broken if it fails and is Windows 8.1 or greater.
+	if (!IsWindows8Point1OrGreater())
+	{
+		printf("Cannot find d3dcompiler_43.dll\n");
+		if (MessageBox(nullptr, TEXT("You need to update some DirectX libraries, would you like to do it now?"), TEXT("GSdx"), MB_YESNO) == IDYES)
 		{
-			printf(" (%s %d.%d)", version.szCSDVersion, version.wServicePackMajor, version.wServicePackMinor);
+			ShellExecute(nullptr, TEXT("open"), TEXT("https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109"), nullptr, nullptr, SW_SHOWNORMAL);
 		}
-
-		printf("\n");
 	}
-
-	string d3dx9_dll = format("d3dx9_%d.dll", D3DX_SDK_VERSION);
-
-	if(HINSTANCE hDll = LoadLibrary(d3dx9_dll.c_str()))
-	{
-		FreeLibrary(hDll);
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		printf("Cannot find %s\n", d3dx9_dll.c_str());
-
-		if(MessageBox(NULL, "You need to update some directx libraries, would you like to do it now?", "GSdx", MB_YESNO) == IDYES)
-		{
-			const char* url = "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109";
-
-			ShellExecute(NULL, "open", url, NULL, NULL, SW_SHOWNORMAL);
-		}
-
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	return true;
+	return false;
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/stdafx.h b/plugins/GSdx/stdafx.h
index 7aac17529d..e1ffe1ed74 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/stdafx.h
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/stdafx.h
@@ -37,16 +37,13 @@
 #include <commctrl.h>
 #include <commdlg.h>
 #include <shellapi.h>
+#include <d3dcompiler.h>
 #include <d3d11.h>
-#include <d3dx11.h>
 #include <d3d9.h>
-#include <d3dx9.h>
 #include <comutil.h>
 #include <atlcomcli.h>
 
 #define D3DCOLORWRITEENABLE_RGBA (D3DCOLORWRITEENABLE_RED | D3DCOLORWRITEENABLE_GREEN | D3DCOLORWRITEENABLE_BLUE | D3DCOLORWRITEENABLE_ALPHA)
-#define D3D11_SHADER_MACRO D3D10_SHADER_MACRO
-#define ID3D11Blob ID3D10Blob
 
 #endif
 
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/common.props b/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/common.props
index fa802053ae..d5b4b2c6f7 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/common.props
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/common.props
@@ -13,12 +13,12 @@
       <WarningLevel>Level4</WarningLevel>
       <DebugInformationFormat>ProgramDatabase</DebugInformationFormat>
       <DisableSpecificWarnings>4456;4458;4996;4995;4324;4100;4101;4201;4556;4127;4512;%(DisableSpecificWarnings)</DisableSpecificWarnings>
-      <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>$(DXSDK_DIR)include;$(VTUNE_AMPLIFIER_XE_2015_DIR)include;$(SolutionDir)3rdparty;$(SolutionDir)3rdparty\libpng;$(SolutionDir)3rdparty\opencl;$(SolutionDir)3rdparty\zlib;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
+      <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>$(VTUNE_AMPLIFIER_XE_2015_DIR)include;$(SolutionDir)3rdparty;$(SolutionDir)3rdparty\libpng;$(SolutionDir)3rdparty\opencl;$(SolutionDir)3rdparty\zlib;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
       <MultiProcessorCompilation>true</MultiProcessorCompilation>
     </ClCompile>
     <Link>
-      <AdditionalDependencies>d3d11.lib;d3dx11.lib;d3d10_1.lib;d3dx10.lib;d3d9.lib;d3dx9.lib;dxgi.lib;dxguid.lib;winmm.lib;strmiids.lib;xinput.lib;opengl32.lib;opencl.lib;comsuppw.lib;comctl32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
-      <DelayLoadDLLs>d3d9.dll;d3dx9_43.dll;d3d11.dll;d3dx11_43.dll;dxgi.dll;opengl32.dll;%(DelayLoadDLLs)</DelayLoadDLLs>
+      <AdditionalDependencies>d3d11.lib;d3d10_1.lib;d3d9.lib;dxgi.lib;dxguid.lib;winmm.lib;strmiids.lib;opengl32.lib;opencl.lib;comsuppw.lib;comctl32.lib;%(AdditionalDependencies)</AdditionalDependencies>
+      <DelayLoadDLLs>d3d9.dll;d3d11.dll;dxgi.dll;opengl32.dll;%(DelayLoadDLLs)</DelayLoadDLLs>
       <GenerateDebugInformation>true</GenerateDebugInformation>
       <SubSystem>Windows</SubSystem>
       <RandomizedBaseAddress>false</RandomizedBaseAddress>
@@ -28,4 +28,4 @@
       <Command>"$(SvnCommonDir)\vsprops\preBuild.cmd" "$(ProjectRootDir)"</Command>
     </PreBuildEvent>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
-</Project>
\ No newline at end of file
+</Project>
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/x64.props b/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/x64.props
index 4703984444..55af6278c1 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/x64.props
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/x64.props
@@ -1,15 +1,8 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <Project ToolsVersion="4.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
-  <ImportGroup Label="PropertySheets" />
-  <PropertyGroup Label="UserMacros" />
-  <PropertyGroup />
   <ItemDefinitionGroup>
     <Link>
-      <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(DXSDK_DIR)Lib\x64;$(ProjectDir)vtune\x64;%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+      <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(ProjectDir)vtune\x64;%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
     </Link>
-    <ClCompile>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>_WIN64;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
-    </ClCompile>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
-  <ItemGroup />
-</Project>
\ No newline at end of file
+</Project>
diff --git a/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/x86.props b/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/x86.props
index c37342f62e..c6dd1d02de 100644
--- a/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/x86.props
+++ b/plugins/GSdx/vsprops/x86.props
@@ -1,16 +1,8 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <Project ToolsVersion="4.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
-  <ImportGroup Label="PropertySheets" />
-  <PropertyGroup Label="UserMacros" />
-  <PropertyGroup />
   <ItemDefinitionGroup>
     <Link>
-      <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(DXSDK_DIR)Lib\x86;$(ProjectDir)vtune\x86;%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
+      <AdditionalLibraryDirectories>$(ProjectDir)vtune\x86;%(AdditionalLibraryDirectories)</AdditionalLibraryDirectories>
     </Link>
-    <ClCompile />
-    <ClCompile>
-      <PreprocessorDefinitions>_WIN32;%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
-    </ClCompile>
   </ItemDefinitionGroup>
-  <ItemGroup />
-</Project>
\ No newline at end of file
+</Project>