Well it seems that M$ have updated their DirectX 8.1b end-user Redistributable! because this release is dated 26 Jul 2002? No word on what's new.
This download provides the end-user Redistributable that developers may include with their product. The redistributable license agreement covers the terms under which developers may use the Redistributable. If you choose to distribute the Redistributable Code, you must include the files as specified listed in the Redist Directory Read Me file. The DirectX 8.1b Redist download supports Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000 On Windows XP, please see Knowledge Base Articles Q321178, Q307207, and Q318507 for more information.
This download provides the end-user Redistributable that developers may include with their product. The redistributable license agreement covers the terms under which developers may use the Redistributable. If you choose to distribute the Redistributable Code, you must include the files as specified listed in the Redist Directory Read Me file. The DirectX 8.1b Redist download supports Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000 On Windows XP, please see Knowledge Base Articles Q321178, Q307207, and Q318507 for more information.