How can I stop Civilization 5 from asking me twice which DirectX mode to play in?

I (pre) downloaded and installed Civilization 5 through Steam, on Windows 7. When I start it, Steam asks me if I would like to start:

• Civilization 5
• Civilization 5 (DirectX 9)

Then, Civilization "starts" into its menu program and asks me if I would like to start:

• Civilization 5, DirectX 9 mode
• Civilization 5, DirectX 10/11 mode, recommended

Can I disable one or both questions, and if so, how?

ie how can I make the game always start in DX10/11 mode without asking me again?

Solution 1:

Edit

As of the latest Steam / Civilization versions, this problem has been fixed. Launching the game regularly from Steam opens only the Civilization-specific selection window, and right-clicking that menu and creating a specific DirectX-11 link will create a shortcut that shows no DirectX-selection menus.

Original answer:

I'm not sure the "why" is really on-topic here, I just think someone made a mistake. I share your pain.

As for a solution - I've searched online and experimented a bit, and while I could easily bypass the first dialog, I could not bypass the second. To bypass the first dialog, just don't click "play" directly in the Steam game library. Instead, choose one of the following:

• Run the Civilization V exes directly, found in your installation folder, which should be in <steam folder>\steamapps\common\sid meier's civilization v. It doesn't matter which one you start, unfortunately, they all open that 2nd dialog.
• A more convenient way for the above method is to ask civ to create a desktop link. In the 2nd dialog, right click and choose "create dx11 desktop shortcut". Keep in mind that despite the name, it will prompt the 2nd dialog.
• Use Steam's "jump list" to launch the game. Just right-click the steam icon on the taskbar and choose "Civilization V" from the list:

This issue is also being actively discussed on the Steam forums, with no resolution at the moment.

Solution 2:

If you do not want a separate desktop icon, here is how to launch Civilization 5 directly from Steam, and default to DirectX 11 with no dialog popup:

In Steam, right click on Civilization 5 and chose "Properties"

Click "Set Launch Options"

In the box, type the following: \dx11 (exactly like that, no quotes, no spaces, just a backslash and dx11)

Press "OK" to exit the launch options dialog

Press "Close" to exit the properties dialog

You are done! Now, when you launch from Steam it will launch the DirectX11 version without asking.