DirectX 11 For Windows Vista Released

Unlike Microsoft's previous try to make Windows Vista more attractive to gamers by bundling DirectX 10 exclusively with the operating system the company from Redmond decided that it was time to change strategy and offer DirectX 11 for both Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Many users believe that the exclusivity of DirectX 10, which locked out the majority of gamers, was the main reason that gaming companies did not take advantage of the new options and features offered by DirectX 10.

Windows 7 shipped with DirectX 11 and Microsoft promised to deliver the new version of DirectX to Windows Vista users as well. Microsoft kept their promise and Windows Vista users are now able to download a so called platform upgrade for their operating system which adds DirectX 11 to it.

The easiest way to obtain the update is from Windows Update. The platform update will not only update DirectX but add a series of other improvements to Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008:

• Windows Graphics, Imaging, and XPS Library - The Windows Graphics, Imaging, and XPS Library enables developers to take advantage of the advancements in modern graphics technologies for gaming, multimedia, imaging, and printing applications
• Windows Automation API - The Windows Automation API enables accessibility tools and test automations to access the Windows user interface in a consistent way across operating system versions.
• Windows Portable Devices Platform (Vista only) - The Windows Portable Devices Platform supplies the infrastructure to standardize data transfers between an application and a portable device, such as a mobile phone, a digital camera, or a portable media player.
• Windows Ribbon and Animation Manager Library - The Windows Ribbon and Animation Manager Library contains the following features:Windows Ribbon API, a command framework that enables developers to quickly and easily create rich ribbon experiences in their applications and Windows Animation Manager API, an animation framework for managing the scheduling and execution of user interface element animations

Additional information are available at the Microsoft Knowledgebase.

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