Microsoft DirectX is an advanced suite of multimedia application programming interfaces built into Microsoft Windows; operating Systems. DirectX provides a standard development platform for Windows-based PCs by enabling software developers to access specialized hardware features without having to write hardware-specific code. This technology was first introduced in 1995 and is a recognized standard for multimedia application development on the Windows platform. 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, 3-D animation, and surround sound. Primary areas of concentration for this release have been with the Library for Direct3D extensions (D3DX), Graphics Samples, Tools and documentation. The Microsoft DirectX software development kit is your backstage pass to multimedia applications that sizzle. DirectX is a set of low-level application programming interfaces for creating games and other high-performance multimedia applications. It includes support for high-performance 2-D and 3-D graphics, sound, and input. Microsoft DirectX Software Development Kit includes the final release of the Microsoft Cross-Platform Audio Creation Tool, updates to samples, tools, documentation, and D3DX9. In addition, this SDK includes several pre-release components: Direct3D 10 . Release Notes Homepage - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default. mspx Size: 468 MB Download DirectX SDK for WinXP/XP x64/Vista/Vista x64 DirectX 9.0c Redistributable - DirectX for Managed Code Update from the DirectX SDK Update (August 2007) Size: 58.7 MB Download for WinXP/XP x64/Vista/Vista x64 Use Right-click on download and "Save Target As..."