A local install (also known as a ‘game-specific’ install) refers to an install where the DLL files of Special K are added to the folder of the game executable and renamed to the DLL filename (the <DLL-name> mentioned further down) that Special K should use as an injection method.
This method allows the use of a specific version of Special K for a game without having the global injector running in the background, and means the install is mostly separate from the global injector with only a few common configuration files (for widgets, hotkeys, UI, etc) being shared between the two types of install.
Compatibility with some games might also be improved by using a specific version of Special K known to work best for the game, although with the caveat of not having features or fixes introduced in newer versions of Special K.
This method of using a local DLL file in the game folder is also used by software such as ReShade, dgVoodoo 2, and various mods.
Use Special K at your own risk in multiplayer games where it might have an adverse effect.
These instructions are perfect for users with no existing install of Special K. However if you are currently using the global injector for a game you can also convert your existing install to a local install.
Install the required prerequisites:
Extract the archive you downloaded at a location of your choice, and then open the folder.
You should now be in a folder where a SpecialK32.dll and a SpecialK64.dll file should be present. Note these files, as one of them will be used later.
Navigate to <path-to-game> or its appropriate subfolder where the game executable is located in.
Look up if the game uses a 32-bit or 64-bit executable, as well as what API is used.
Move the appropriate Special K DLL file to the folder where the game executable was located: SpecialK32.dll for 32-bit, and SpecialK64.dll for 64-bit.
Rename the DLL file to match the API used by the game:
| API | <DLL-name> | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| OpenGL | opengl32.dll |
|
| DirectX 12 | dxgi.dll |
|
| DirectX 11 | dxgi.dll or d3d11.dll |
dxgi.dll cannot be used in combination with the Disable fullscreen optimizations compatibility flag. |
| DirectX 9 | d3d9.dll |
d3d9.dll cannot be used in combination with the Disable fullscreen optimizations compatibility flag. |
| DirectX 8 | d3d8.dll |
Requires the dgVoodoo plugin installed for Special K. |
| DirectDraw | ddraw.dll |
Requires the dgVoodoo plugin installed for Special K. |
| DirectInput 8 | dinput8.dll |
Alternative injection method for titles that supports DirectInput 8 or when combined with the global injector. |
Users who currently use the global injector for a game can convert their global install into a local one by following the below instructions.
Local installs of Special K can also store and rely on a game config stored below <path-to-SpecialK>\Profiles much like when using the global injection. To do this, create a file or folder within the game folder (meaning same folder that the local DLL file of Special K was installed in) and call it SpecialK.central. The presence of this item will tell the local install of Special K to store logs and settings in <path-to-SpecialK>\Profiles.
A
SpecialK.centralis automatically created when converting from global, and is what tells such a local install to store the profile in the central install folder.
It is possible to use dinput8.dll as a local injection method in games that otherwise does not load that DLL file. This is achieved by combining a local dinput8.dll install of Special K with the global injector. As the global injector service injects Special K’s global DLL file into the game, it will kickstart the local dinput8.dll along with it.
dinput8.dll.This technically works for all local
<DLL-name>filenames as the global injector will check for the presence of any of those and inject them into the game if not already loaded by the game itself.