diff --git a/Audio/SoundStreamInstance.cpp b/Audio/SoundStreamInstance.cpp
index 710fd686..74f64ccb 100644
--- a/Audio/SoundStreamInstance.cpp
+++ b/Audio/SoundStreamInstance.cpp
@@ -579,11 +579,7 @@ HRESULT SoundStreamInstance::Impl::PlayBuffers() noexcept
         if (mPackets[j].state == State::PENDING)
         {
             DWORD cb = 0;
-        #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
             const BOOL result = GetOverlappedResultEx(async, &mPackets[j].request, &cb, 0, FALSE);
-        #else
-            const BOOL result = GetOverlappedResult(async, &mPackets[j].request, &cb, FALSE);
-        #endif
             if (result)
             {
                 mPackets[j].state = State::READY;
diff --git a/Audio/WAVFileReader.cpp b/Audio/WAVFileReader.cpp
index d6acd160..70e52b89 100644
--- a/Audio/WAVFileReader.cpp
+++ b/Audio/WAVFileReader.cpp
@@ -540,20 +540,10 @@ namespace
             return E_INVALIDARG;
 
         // open the file
-    #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
         ScopedHandle hFile(safe_handle(CreateFile2(
             szFileName,
             GENERIC_READ, FILE_SHARE_READ, OPEN_EXISTING,
             nullptr)));
-    #else
-        ScopedHandle hFile(safe_handle(CreateFileW(
-            szFileName,
-            GENERIC_READ, FILE_SHARE_READ,
-            nullptr,
-            OPEN_EXISTING, FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL,
-            nullptr)));
-    #endif
-
         if (!hFile)
         {
             return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(GetLastError());
diff --git a/Audio/WaveBankReader.cpp b/Audio/WaveBankReader.cpp
index 0bb4a152..95d4c45e 100644
--- a/Audio/WaveBankReader.cpp
+++ b/Audio/WaveBankReader.cpp
@@ -526,7 +526,6 @@ HRESULT WaveBankReader::Impl::Open(const wchar_t* szFileName) noexcept(false)
         return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(GetLastError());
     }
 
-#if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
     CREATEFILE2_EXTENDED_PARAMETERS params = { sizeof(CREATEFILE2_EXTENDED_PARAMETERS), 0, 0, 0, {}, nullptr };
     params.dwFileAttributes = FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL;
     params.dwFileFlags = FILE_FLAG_OVERLAPPED | FILE_FLAG_SEQUENTIAL_SCAN;
@@ -534,15 +533,6 @@ HRESULT WaveBankReader::Impl::Open(const wchar_t* szFileName) noexcept(false)
         szFileName,
         GENERIC_READ, FILE_SHARE_READ, OPEN_EXISTING,
         &params)));
-#else
-    ScopedHandle hFile(safe_handle(CreateFileW(
-        szFileName,
-        GENERIC_READ, FILE_SHARE_READ,
-        nullptr,
-        OPEN_EXISTING, FILE_FLAG_OVERLAPPED | FILE_FLAG_SEQUENTIAL_SCAN,
-        nullptr)));
-#endif
-
     if (!hFile)
     {
         return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(GetLastError());
@@ -552,29 +542,15 @@ HRESULT WaveBankReader::Impl::Open(const wchar_t* szFileName) noexcept(false)
     OVERLAPPED request = {};
     request.hEvent = m_event.get();
 
-    bool wait = false;
     if (!ReadFile(hFile.get(), &m_header, sizeof(m_header), nullptr, &request))
     {
         const DWORD error = GetLastError();
         if (error != ERROR_IO_PENDING)
             return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(error);
-        wait = true;
     }
 
     DWORD bytes;
-#if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
-    std::ignore = wait;
-
     BOOL result = GetOverlappedResultEx(hFile.get(), &request, &bytes, INFINITE, FALSE);
-#else
-    if (wait)
-    {
-        std::ignore = WaitForSingleObject(m_event.get(), INFINITE);
-    }
-
-    BOOL result = GetOverlappedResult(hFile.get(), &request, &bytes, FALSE);
-#endif
-
     if (!result || (bytes != sizeof(m_header)))
     {
         return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(GetLastError());
@@ -602,26 +578,14 @@ HRESULT WaveBankReader::Impl::Open(const wchar_t* szFileName) noexcept(false)
     request.Offset = m_header.Segments[HEADER::SEGIDX_BANKDATA].dwOffset;
     request.hEvent = m_event.get();
 
-    wait = false;
     if (!ReadFile(hFile.get(), &m_data, sizeof(m_data), nullptr, &request))
     {
         const DWORD error = GetLastError();
         if (error != ERROR_IO_PENDING)
             return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(error);
-        wait = true;
     }
 
-#if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
     result = GetOverlappedResultEx(hFile.get(), &request, &bytes, INFINITE, FALSE);
-#else
-    if (wait)
-    {
-        std::ignore = WaitForSingleObject(m_event.get(), INFINITE);
-    }
-
-    result = GetOverlappedResult(hFile.get(), &request, &bytes, FALSE);
-#endif
-
     if (!result || (bytes != sizeof(m_data)))
     {
         return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(GetLastError());
@@ -688,26 +652,14 @@ HRESULT WaveBankReader::Impl::Open(const wchar_t* szFileName) noexcept(false)
             request.Offset = m_header.Segments[HEADER::SEGIDX_ENTRYNAMES].dwOffset;
             request.hEvent = m_event.get();
 
-            wait = false;
             if (!ReadFile(hFile.get(), temp.get(), namesBytes, nullptr, &request))
             {
                 const DWORD error = GetLastError();
                 if (error != ERROR_IO_PENDING)
                     return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(error);
-                wait = true;
             }
 
-        #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
             result = GetOverlappedResultEx(hFile.get(), &request, &bytes, INFINITE, FALSE);
-        #else
-            if (wait)
-            {
-                std::ignore = WaitForSingleObject(m_event.get(), INFINITE);
-            }
-
-            result = GetOverlappedResult(hFile.get(), &request, &bytes, FALSE);
-        #endif
-
             if (!result || (namesBytes != bytes))
             {
                 return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(GetLastError());
@@ -741,26 +693,14 @@ HRESULT WaveBankReader::Impl::Open(const wchar_t* szFileName) noexcept(false)
     request.Offset = m_header.Segments[HEADER::SEGIDX_ENTRYMETADATA].dwOffset;
     request.hEvent = m_event.get();
 
-    wait = false;
     if (!ReadFile(hFile.get(), m_entries.get(), metadataBytes, nullptr, &request))
     {
         const DWORD error = GetLastError();
         if (error != ERROR_IO_PENDING)
             return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(error);
-        wait = true;
     }
 
-#if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
     result = GetOverlappedResultEx(hFile.get(), &request, &bytes, INFINITE, FALSE);
-#else
-    if (wait)
-    {
-        std::ignore = WaitForSingleObject(m_event.get(), INFINITE);
-    }
-
-    result = GetOverlappedResult(hFile.get(), &request, &bytes, FALSE);
-#endif
-
     if (!result || (metadataBytes != bytes))
     {
         return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(GetLastError());
@@ -794,26 +734,14 @@ HRESULT WaveBankReader::Impl::Open(const wchar_t* szFileName) noexcept(false)
         request.Offset = m_header.Segments[HEADER::SEGIDX_SEEKTABLES].dwOffset;
         request.hEvent = m_event.get();
 
-        wait = false;
         if (!ReadFile(hFile.get(), m_seekData.get(), seekLen, nullptr, &request))
         {
             const DWORD error = GetLastError();
             if (error != ERROR_IO_PENDING)
                 return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(error);
-            wait = true;
         }
 
-    #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
         result = GetOverlappedResultEx(hFile.get(), &request, &bytes, INFINITE, FALSE);
-    #else
-        if (wait)
-        {
-            std::ignore = WaitForSingleObject(m_event.get(), INFINITE);
-        }
-
-        result = GetOverlappedResult(hFile.get(), &request, &bytes, FALSE);
-    #endif
-
         if (!result || (seekLen != bytes))
         {
             return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(GetLastError());
@@ -840,25 +768,13 @@ HRESULT WaveBankReader::Impl::Open(const wchar_t* szFileName) noexcept(false)
         // If streaming, reopen without buffering
         hFile.reset();
 
-    #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
         CREATEFILE2_EXTENDED_PARAMETERS params2 = { sizeof(CREATEFILE2_EXTENDED_PARAMETERS), 0, 0, 0, {}, nullptr };
         params2.dwFileAttributes = FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL;
         params2.dwFileFlags = FILE_FLAG_OVERLAPPED | FILE_FLAG_NO_BUFFERING;
-        m_async = CreateFile2(szFileName,
-            GENERIC_READ,
-            FILE_SHARE_READ,
-            OPEN_EXISTING,
+        m_async = CreateFile2(
+            szFileName,
+            GENERIC_READ, FILE_SHARE_READ, OPEN_EXISTING,
             &params2);
-    #else
-        m_async = CreateFileW(szFileName,
-            GENERIC_READ,
-            FILE_SHARE_READ,
-            nullptr,
-            OPEN_EXISTING,
-            FILE_FLAG_OVERLAPPED | FILE_FLAG_NO_BUFFERING,
-            nullptr);
-    #endif
-
         if (m_async == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)
         {
             return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(GetLastError());
@@ -942,13 +858,7 @@ void WaveBankReader::Impl::Close() noexcept
         if (m_request.hEvent)
         {
             DWORD bytes;
-        #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
             std::ignore = GetOverlappedResultEx(m_async, &m_request, &bytes, INFINITE, FALSE);
-        #else
-            std::ignore = WaitForSingleObject(m_request.hEvent, INFINITE);
-
-            std::ignore = GetOverlappedResult(m_async, &m_request, &bytes, FALSE);
-        #endif
         }
 
         CloseHandle(m_async);
@@ -1279,12 +1189,8 @@ bool WaveBankReader::Impl::UpdatePrepared() noexcept
     if (m_request.hEvent)
     {
 
-    #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
         DWORD bytes;
         const BOOL result = GetOverlappedResultEx(m_async, &m_request, &bytes, 0, FALSE);
-    #else
-        const bool result = HasOverlappedIoCompleted(&m_request);
-    #endif
         if (result)
         {
             m_prepared = true;
diff --git a/Inc/Audio.h b/Inc/Audio.h
index cf21fa51..d09f1235 100644
--- a/Inc/Audio.h
+++ b/Inc/Audio.h
@@ -36,10 +36,8 @@
 
 #if defined(USING_XAUDIO2_REDIST) || (_WIN32_WINNT >= 0x0A00 /*_WIN32_WINNT_WIN10*/) || defined(_XBOX_ONE)
 #define USING_XAUDIO2_9
-#elif (_WIN32_WINNT >= 0x0602 /*_WIN32_WINNT_WIN8*/)
+#elif (_WIN32_WINNT >= 0x0603 /*_WIN32_WINNT_WINBLUE*/)
 #define USING_XAUDIO2_8
-#elif (_WIN32_WINNT >= 0x0601 /*_WIN32_WINNT_WIN7*/)
-#error Windows 7 SP1 requires the XAudio2Redist NuGet package https://aka.ms/xaudio2redist
 #else
 #error DirectX Tool Kit for Audio not supported on this platform
 #endif
diff --git a/Inc/GamePad.h b/Inc/GamePad.h
index 24a8770b..8d3158f8 100644
--- a/Inc/GamePad.h
+++ b/Inc/GamePad.h
@@ -43,11 +43,7 @@
 
 #elif defined(USING_XINPUT)
 #ifdef _MSC_VER
-#if (_WIN32_WINNT >= 0x0602 /*_WIN32_WINNT_WIN8*/ )
 #pragma comment(lib,"xinput.lib")
-#else
-#pragma comment(lib,"xinput9_1_0.lib")
-#endif
 #endif
 #endif
 
diff --git a/Src/BinaryReader.cpp b/Src/BinaryReader.cpp
index e1cf1436..4bb53aff 100644
--- a/Src/BinaryReader.cpp
+++ b/Src/BinaryReader.cpp
@@ -55,20 +55,10 @@ HRESULT BinaryReader::ReadEntireFile(
     *dataSize = 0;
 
     // Open the file.
-#if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
     ScopedHandle hFile(safe_handle(CreateFile2(
         fileName,
         GENERIC_READ, FILE_SHARE_READ, OPEN_EXISTING,
         nullptr)));
-#else
-    ScopedHandle hFile(safe_handle(CreateFileW(
-        fileName,
-        GENERIC_READ, FILE_SHARE_READ,
-        nullptr,
-        OPEN_EXISTING, FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL,
-        nullptr)));
-#endif
-
     if (!hFile)
         return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(GetLastError());
 
diff --git a/Src/GamePad.cpp b/Src/GamePad.cpp
index 302a6bd3..0259d8c5 100644
--- a/Src/GamePad.cpp
+++ b/Src/GamePad.cpp
@@ -1286,11 +1286,6 @@ class GamePad::Impl
         mOwner(owner),
         mConnected{},
         mLastReadTime{}
-    #if (_WIN32_WINNT < _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
-        , mLeftMotor{}
-        , mRightMotor{}
-        , mSuspended(false)
-    #endif
     {
         for (int j = 0; j < XUSER_MAX_COUNT; ++j)
         {
@@ -1319,15 +1314,6 @@ class GamePad::Impl
 
         if (!ThrottleRetry(player, time))
         {
-        #if (_WIN32_WINNT < _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
-            if (mSuspended)
-            {
-                memset(&state, 0, sizeof(State));
-                state.connected = mConnected[player];
-                return;
-            }
-        #endif
-
             XINPUT_STATE xstate;
             const DWORD result = XInputGetState(DWORD(player), &xstate);
             if (result == ERROR_DEVICE_NOT_CONNECTED)
@@ -1414,7 +1400,6 @@ class GamePad::Impl
                 if (xcaps.Type == XINPUT_DEVTYPE_GAMEPAD)
                 {
                     static_assert(Capabilities::GAMEPAD == XINPUT_DEVSUBTYPE_GAMEPAD, "xinput.h mismatch");
-                #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
                     static_assert(XINPUT_DEVSUBTYPE_WHEEL == Capabilities::WHEEL, "xinput.h mismatch");
                     static_assert(XINPUT_DEVSUBTYPE_ARCADE_STICK == Capabilities::ARCADE_STICK, "xinput.h mismatch");
                 #ifndef __MINGW32__
@@ -1426,19 +1411,13 @@ class GamePad::Impl
                     static_assert(XINPUT_DEVSUBTYPE_DRUM_KIT == Capabilities::DRUM_KIT, "xinput.h mismatch");
                     static_assert(XINPUT_DEVSUBTYPE_GUITAR_BASS == Capabilities::GUITAR_BASS, "xinput.h mismatch");
                     static_assert(XINPUT_DEVSUBTYPE_ARCADE_PAD == Capabilities::ARCADE_PAD, "xinput.h mismatch");
-                #endif
 
                     caps.gamepadType = Capabilities::Type(xcaps.SubType);
                 }
 
                 // Hard-coded VID/PID
                 caps.vid = 0x045E;
-            #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
                 caps.pid = (xcaps.Flags & XINPUT_CAPS_WIRELESS) ? 0x0719 : 0;
-            #else
-                caps.pid = 0;
-            #endif
-
                 return;
             }
         }
@@ -1463,14 +1442,6 @@ class GamePad::Impl
         UNREFERENCED_PARAMETER(leftTrigger);
         UNREFERENCED_PARAMETER(rightTrigger);
 
-    #if (_WIN32_WINNT < _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
-        mLeftMotor[player] = leftMotor;
-        mRightMotor[player] = rightMotor;
-
-        if (mSuspended)
-            return mConnected[player];
-    #endif
-
         XINPUT_VIBRATION xvibration;
         xvibration.wLeftMotorSpeed = WORD(leftMotor * 0xFFFF);
         xvibration.wRightMotorSpeed = WORD(rightMotor * 0xFFFF);
@@ -1494,24 +1465,8 @@ class GamePad::Impl
     {
     #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN10)
         // XInput focus is handled automatically on Windows 10
-    #elif (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
-        XInputEnable(FALSE);
     #else
-        // For XInput 9.1.0, we have to emulate the behavior of XInputEnable( FALSE )
-        if (!mSuspended)
-        {
-            for (size_t j = 0; j < XUSER_MAX_COUNT; ++j)
-            {
-                if (mConnected[j])
-                {
-                    XINPUT_VIBRATION xvibration;
-                    xvibration.wLeftMotorSpeed = xvibration.wRightMotorSpeed = 0;
-                    std::ignore = XInputSetState(DWORD(j), &xvibration);
-                }
-            }
-
-            mSuspended = true;
-        }
+        XInputEnable(FALSE);
     #endif
     }
 
@@ -1519,31 +1474,8 @@ class GamePad::Impl
     {
     #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN10)
         // XInput focus is handled automatically on Windows 10
-    #elif (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
-        XInputEnable(TRUE);
     #else
-        // For XInput 9.1.0, we have to emulate the behavior of XInputEnable( TRUE )
-        if (mSuspended)
-        {
-            const ULONGLONG time = GetTickCount64();
-
-            for (int j = 0; j < XUSER_MAX_COUNT; ++j)
-            {
-                if (mConnected[j])
-                {
-                    XINPUT_VIBRATION xvibration;
-                    xvibration.wLeftMotorSpeed = WORD(mLeftMotor[j] * 0xFFFF);
-                    xvibration.wRightMotorSpeed = WORD(mRightMotor[j] * 0xFFFF);
-                    const DWORD result = XInputSetState(DWORD(j), &xvibration);
-                    if (result == ERROR_DEVICE_NOT_CONNECTED)
-                    {
-                        ClearSlot(j, time);
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-
-            mSuspended = false;
-        }
+        XInputEnable(TRUE);
     #endif
     }
 
@@ -1555,13 +1487,6 @@ class GamePad::Impl
     bool        mConnected[XUSER_MAX_COUNT];
     ULONGLONG   mLastReadTime[XUSER_MAX_COUNT];
 
-#if (_WIN32_WINNT < _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
-    // Variables for emulating XInputEnable on XInput 9.1.0
-    float       mLeftMotor[XUSER_MAX_COUNT];
-    float       mRightMotor[XUSER_MAX_COUNT];
-    bool        mSuspended;
-#endif
-
     bool ThrottleRetry(int player, ULONGLONG time)
     {
         // This function minimizes a potential performance issue with XInput on Windows when
@@ -1596,9 +1521,6 @@ class GamePad::Impl
     {
         mConnected[player] = false;
         mLastReadTime[player] = time;
-    #if (_WIN32_WINNT < _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
-        mLeftMotor[player] = mRightMotor[player] = 0.f;
-    #endif
     }
 
     int GetMostRecent()
diff --git a/Src/LoaderHelpers.h b/Src/LoaderHelpers.h
index 7c2eed9e..a402e779 100644
--- a/Src/LoaderHelpers.h
+++ b/Src/LoaderHelpers.h
@@ -395,20 +395,10 @@ namespace DirectX
             *bitSize = 0;
 
             // open the file
-        #if (_WIN32_WINNT >= _WIN32_WINNT_WIN8)
             ScopedHandle hFile(safe_handle(CreateFile2(
                 fileName,
                 GENERIC_READ, FILE_SHARE_READ, OPEN_EXISTING,
                 nullptr)));
-        #else
-            ScopedHandle hFile(safe_handle(CreateFileW(
-                fileName,
-                GENERIC_READ, FILE_SHARE_READ,
-                nullptr,
-                OPEN_EXISTING, FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL,
-                nullptr)));
-        #endif
-
             if (!hFile)
             {
                 return HRESULT_FROM_WIN32(GetLastError());