ReShade adds post-processing effects to Forza Horizon 2 on PC, including color adjustments, sharpening, bloom, and compatible community-made shaders. This guide explains how to install ReShade with full add-on support on the Azimuth compatibility launcher.
Compatibility notice: ReShade support on Azimuth is community-tested, not officially guaranteed. Some effects and add-ons may not work correctly because Azimuth translates the Xbox One graphics API to PC DirectX 12. Start with simple shaders and test before stacking advanced effects.
1. Download the correct ReShade version
•Go to the official website: reshade.me.
•Scroll to the Download section.
•Choose Download ReShade with full add-on support if you plan to use ReShade add-ons (.addon64) or mods that explicitly require the add-on build.
•If you only want basic presets and post-processing filters, the regular signed ReShade version is usually enough.
•At the time of writing, the official download page lists ReShade 6.8.0. Always use the official website rather than third-party ReShade installers.
The full add-on build is unsigned and intended for single-player use. The add-on build is not suitable for multiplayer games protected by anti-cheat. Azimuth's FH2 gameplay itself is offline.
2. Close the game and locate Azimuth
Before installing, close Forza Horizon 2 and Azimuth.
Open your Azimuth installation directory. You are looking for the executable `azimuth.exe`, not the game's separate Mount directory.
text
Azimuth/
├── azimuth.exe
├── data/
└── [other Azimuth files]Your folder structure may include other configuration files or third-party mods. Make a backup of any existing ReShade configuration (ReShade.ini, presets, shaders) before replacing an earlier installation.
3. Run the ReShade installer
•Run the ReShade Setup downloaded from reshade.me.
•On the Select a game or application screen, choose Browse if Azimuth does not appear automatically.
•Navigate to your Azimuth folder and select `azimuth.exe`.
•When asked for the rendering API, select DirectX 10/11/12. Even though Forza Horizon 2 used an Xbox-specific DirectX API, Azimuth translates rendering to DirectX 12 on Windows.
•Continue with installation. You can select the default effect packages to start with.
•Finish the installer; let it create the required ReShade configuration and shader directories.
Extra Options users: For the standard Azimuth 0.9.10 setup where Extra Options is installed throughwinmm.dllbesideazimuth.exe, start by targeting `azimuth.exe`. Some older Extra Options workflows use a separateFH2_DLC_Launcher.exe; if you are still launching through that older executable, you may need to target the executable you actually run. Do not mix DLLs from different mod versions.
4. Launch FH2 and open the overlay
•Start Forza Horizon 2 normally through the Azimuth setup you just configured.
•The first launch with ReShade can take longer than usual while its effects compile. Give the initial setup time to finish.
•While the game itself is running, press Home on your keyboard to open the ReShade overlay.
•Follow ReShade's initial on-screen tutorial, then open its effect list and enable one basic effect (for example, sharpening or color correction) to confirm that it works.
•If the menu does not open, verify that ReShade installed to the correct executable directory and check its log for loading errors.
5. Install and select ReShade presets
A preset is usually an .ini file containing selected effects and their settings. It does not necessarily include the shaders themselves.
•Create a dedicated folder, for example: Azimuth\reshade-shaders\ReShade Presets.
•Put presets you have permission to use into that folder. Avoid overwriting ReShade.ini, which is the main runtime configuration.
•Open the ReShade overlay with Home and use the preset selector at the top to browse to your preset .ini file.
•If ReShade asks for preset search paths, select the folder containing your presets.
•If a preset reports missing effects, install the necessary shader packages through the official ReShade setup tool or follow the preset author's installation notes.
text
Azimuth/
├── azimuth.exe
├── ReShade.ini
├── reshade-shaders/
│ ├── Shaders/
│ ├── Textures/
│ └── ReShade Presets/
│ └── MyFH2Preset.ini
└── [ReShade DirectX loader installed by setup]The loader DLL name depends on your setup and ReShade version. Do not manually replace system DLLs or rename files unless you have a specific, documented reason.
6. Optional — Install ReShade add-ons
Full add-on support means ReShade can load compatible third-party add-ons in addition to ordinary .fx shader effects. Installing the add-on edition does not automatically install any particular add-on.
•Download the specific add-on only from its original developer or a trusted release page, and check its required ReShade version.
•On 64-bit installations, add-ons commonly use the `.addon64` extension. Follow that add-on author's instructions about its required files and where they belong.
•By default, ReShade searches its configured add-on locations, often the folder beside the ReShade loader/application. Advanced setups can use the AddonPath setting in ReShade.ini.
•Launch FH2 and open the Add-ons tab in the ReShade overlay to check whether a compatible add-on loaded.
•If the add-on causes crashes, remove that particular add-on first and test ReShade with basic shader effects only.
Troubleshooting
ReShade does not appear at launch
•Run the installer again, manually select `azimuth.exe`, and ensure you selected DirectX 10/11/12.
•Check that the installer wrote ReShade files to the same installation you actually launch.
•If you run an older separate Extra Options launcher, check which executable starts the game in your setup.
•Close any conflicting graphics injectors or proxies when troubleshooting. Do not overwrite an existing dxgi.dll or d3d12.dll without identifying what created it.
Home does not open the ReShade menu
•Click the game window and try Home again (on some compact keyboards, Fn + Home).
•Check whether the startup overlay or ReShade log reports a successful load.
•If the keyboard shortcut was changed in a previous configuration, review ReShade.ini or reset the shortcut through a clean ReShade configuration after backing up your presets.
Effects look wrong, do nothing, or flicker
•Not every depth-based effect or add-on is compatible with Azimuth's graphics translation.
•Test one basic effect first, then enable others individually.
•Disable effects that rely on unavailable depth buffers, unusual render passes, or unsupported add-on hooks.
•Remember that a preset made for a different Forza game might not give good results in FH2.
Game crashes or FPS drops
•Disable heavy or experimental effects and test again.
•Back up and then remove third-party add-ons one at a time to identify conflicts.
•Test the base game with Default Azimuth graphics settings. Azimuth itself can stutter while rebuilding shader and pipeline caches, especially after an update.
•The Azimuth developer does not provide troubleshooting support for problems caused by third-party wrapper modifications. Reproduce crashes on a clean installation before reporting an Azimuth bug.
How to uninstall ReShade
•Close Azimuth and FH2.
•Run the official ReShade installer again, select the same executable and graphics API, then choose Uninstall ReShade if offered.
•Keep a backup of any presets you want to reuse. Verify that ReShade's files are removed without deleting unrelated mod DLLs or game data.
Helpful links
•Official ReShade website and downloads
•Official ReShade add-on documentation
•FH2 community ReShade setup report
•How to install Azimuth — FH2Mods
Quick recap: Download the full add-on ReShade build from the official website, point setup to azimuth.exe, select DirectX 10/11/12, install effects, launch FH2, and press Home. Add individual ReShade extensions only if you need them and they are compatible.