New DirectX Downloads for Windows XP and Windows Vista

Microsoft has updated its various offering associated with DirectX and made available no less than four downloads. The most relevant for Windows users is without a doubt the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer, designed as an update for 9.0c and all previous versions of DirectX. "Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio. DirectX includes security and performance updates, along with many new features across all technologies, which can be accessed by applications using the DirectX APIs," Microsoft revealed in the downloads description.

While the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer is supported by Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP, Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows Vista was not left out. However, the DirectX 9.0c update is not relevant for Vista as the platform features exclusively version 10 of DirectX. For Vista, and previous versions Windows, Microsoft has also made available for download the June 2007 DirectX Software Development Kit. The complete DirectX SDK will permit access to the DirectX Runtime and all DirectX software necessary for the development process of "DirectX compliant applications in C/C++ and C#."

The DirectX SDK refresh will enable developers running PIX on Vista to access GPU and CPU timing information. Microsoft informed that the process created to emphasize the relation between applications and the GPU and CPU is only available on Vista. The SDK also introduces GDF Maker support for two additional rating systems, a detail that will be fine-tuned with Windows Vista Service Pack 1, the company promised. With the DirectX Software Development Kit, the Windows Vista Direct3D9Ex API is now an integer part of Direct3D9 and DirectDraw headers.

In addition to the SDK, Microsoft also provides "all the symbol files for this DirectX SDK release for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003" with DirectX Software Developer Kit - Symbol Files (June 2007) and DirectX Software Developer Kit - Symbol Files (April 2007).