I like your question - It's straightforward.

**Yes, [MSDN](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ee417014%28v=vs.85%29.aspx) provides confirmation that this will work and of the limitations imposed on the Xbox 360 controller when using DirectIput:**

>The Xbox 360 Controller is properly enumerated on DirectInput, and can be used with the DirectInputAPIs. However, some functionality provided by XInput will be missing from the DirectInput implementation:
>
> * The left and right trigger buttons will act as a single button, not independently
> * The vibration effects will not be available
> * Querying for headset devices will not be available

Using a wired XBox 360 controller, you can use a custom driver such as the dated [XBCD](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XBCD) to overcome many of these limitations and provide for further customization for the XBox 360 controller under DirectInput. Note that this setup would require that you add a wrapper library to the game directory of games for which you want to use XInput.

The is a dated alternate driver for the wireless controller called X360WC, but I have found few clear details as to what functionality it provides with respect to DirectInput - [here is the only guide I've pulled thus far](http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=59225). From [what I've read](http://www.nogripracing.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-209314.html), it works well.