Ben Basaric, Microsoft's Product Marketing Manager of Windows says that they won't commit the same mistakes again. DirectX 10 is only capable of running games that's only applicable in Windows vista so this made the millions who use Windows XP unhappy.
Developers now started shipping the new DX11 that would also be available for both Vista and XP. Though in the case of Windows XP, upgrading is necessary.

When Windows Vista shipped, it shipped alongside DirectX 10. DirectX 10 would only run with Vista. It wouldn't run with the faster, more stable, more popular Windows XP. This made those running games on XP unhappy. Well, fast forward a few years, and the next release of a Windows OS - Windows 7 - won't be repeating the same mistake. Microsoft's Product Marketing Manager Windows, Ben Basaric, has gone on record saying that while Windows 7 will be shipping with DX11 support (which will add features like allowing a graphics processor to process more than just graphics), it will also run on Windows Vista. So no need to go upgrading. Well...unless you're one of millions still using XP...

Marooned Chic via kotaku.com »