diff --git a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Config.c b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Config.c
index ec679df16..b22b617a4 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Config.c
+++ b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Config.c
@@ -124,6 +124,11 @@ static ModuleDefault ModuleDefaults[] = {
 #endif
 #ifdef DRI2
     {.name = "dri2",.toLoad = TRUE,.load_opt = NULL},
+#endif
+#ifdef __CYGWIN__
+    /* load DIX modules used by drivers first */
+    {.name = "fb",.toLoad = TRUE,.load_opt = NULL},
+    {.name = "shadow",.toLoad = TRUE,.load_opt = NULL},
 #endif
     {.name = NULL,.toLoad = FALSE,.load_opt = NULL}
 };