DirectX 11.1 was exclusive to Windows 8 and above, as it required WDDM 1.2 (Windows display driver model). DirectX 11.0 had the unique distinction of spanning across Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Windows XP capped out at DirectX 9.0c, forcing gamers to upgrade to Windows Vista, to experience cutting-edge games of the time, such as 'Crysis,' with new visual effects that DirectX 10 brought to the scene. Microsoft has often used the tactic of limiting DirectX versions to certain versions of Windows, often citing driver-model changes, to force PC enthusiasts to either upgrade, or lag behind in PC technology, and in the past it worked. With this, Microsoft established that you will need Windows 8.1 or later, to access future versions of DirectX. Microsoft revealed that the latest version of its multimedia API will require Windows 8.1 on the PC, and comes built into its next-generation Xbox One console. Our recent editorial on adoption of Windows 8.1 by PC enthusiasts concluded saying '.and Microsoft isn't stopping with its innovations that will get increasingly out of reach for Windows 7 users.' It looks like the first of such innovations is DirectX 11.2.

Directx version 8.1