Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Controllers work well with Windows 8 built-in drivers
Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller(s) + Wireless Gaming Receiver for Xbox 360 = PC gaming fun
If you have an Xbox 360, you probably have extra Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers that you can pair with your Windows 8 system, for some fun. Read more about Apple Mac Mini macZilla and Lenovo Yoga 13 yZilla, which do a great job running vintage games. In a compact, efficient way.
The problem with getting these 2.4GHz controllers working with your PC is that the separate Microsoft-branded Wireless Gaming Receivers for Xbox 360 are getting rather hard to find. So how about a generic version? Yeah, it requires a unique driver installation, but the driver is baked right into Microsoft Windows 8.
[works fine with native driver built into Windows 8.1 as well, see "May 04 2014 Update" added below this article]
This "dongle" device itself costs well under $20 shipped, I tested Amazon's "Seller1ON1" and "Able Provider" reseller versions, variety of sellers on Amazon, or from or Newegg.
The install process is pretty straight-forward, but you'll need to follow each step carefully:
1) Connect the USB 2.0 cable from the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver to the Windows 8 PC
make sure to always use that same USB port in the future, and don't use the CD that may have been included with the receiver
2) On the Windows 8 system, press Win+X, then choose Device Manager
then follow along with the following sequence of screenshots:
3) Press Win+W, type Devices, select "Devices and Printers" and hit Enter.
4) Turn off and unplug your Xbox 360 Console from power
to be sure the controller doesn't power up the console in the next step
5) Tap the power button on the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller
6) Simultaneously press and hold the pairing buttons
Press and hold the (only) button on the the Wireless Gaming Receiver, then also on the top of the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, holding both for about 3 seconds, you should hear the usual Windows "New device found" recognition tone.
7) You'll now see the "Xbox 360 Wireless Controller" show up in Devices and Printers:
8) Test
To demonstrate proper controller functionality, you can:
- right-click on the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller in the Devices and Printers view
- select "Game Controller Settings"
- select the Xbox 360 For Windows controller
- click the "Properties" button
- on the Test tab that comes up, you can now test the controller's buttons and triggers for proper function
9) Add more controllers
If you have other controllers to add:
press and hold the pairing buttons on the Wireless Gaming Receiver and on the top of the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, simultaneously for about 3 seconds
10) You can now plug your Xbox 360 console back in
Since the controller(s) are now paired with your PC instead of your console.
11) Configure any PC games or simulators or emulators to use the newly available gaming controller(s)
Go have fun, because this controller install is done! Be sure to manually turn off the controller when done playing.
If you'd prefer a video walk-through of the install and testing instead, it's all shown clearly here:
Comments sharing your successes, or failures, are always appreciated, right below this article.
Related articles:
- support.microsoft.com/kb/2757006
- amazon.com/Microsoft-Xbox-Wireless-Controller-Windows/product-reviews/B004QRKWKQ/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
- answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-gaming/windows-8-driver-for-xbox-controller/3a534f73-f1a2-49d3-8ed7-b946283ee05a
- howtogeek.com/118059/how-to-use-an-xbox-360-controller-on-your-windows-pc
- for those using Windows 7, I had good luck with the method explained in this article:
krisrowland.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/fake-microsoft-xbox-360-wireless-controller-adapter-in-windows-7-64-bit - You can buy a new black controller with the Microsoft-branded USB adapter straight from Microsoft for $59.95, using the Microsoft Store link found here:
microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd//Xbox-360-Wireless-Controller-for-Windows-with-PC-USB-Adapter/productID.226973700
May 04 2014 Update:
With Windows 8.1 now released, good news, all the above information still applies. There's just one screenshot that varies slightly, seen here.
Multiple controller support on one wireless receiver opens up interesting possiblities, such as configuring Dolphin Emulator for 2 player GameCube games. Enjoy!
And here's a video of the same procedure working on 8.1:
All Comments on This Article (39)
Sure, just drop the shopping link here in your reply, then I'll moderate the response and your URL will then approve right here in Disqus. Thanks for your long distance visit!
Hi Paul
Jacques here. May i put an link to your side for my customers. We sell the same product. All the way from South Africa
kind regards Jacques
Since there does seem to be a device driver requirement to get this controller to work on Windows, it seems somebody would have to develop something similar for W8 phone, but I have no idea if anybody has attempted that. Great question though, bones!
I tried following your instructions, but the driver version my laptop has is "6.3.9600.16384" and after I install it, my controller won't sync with the receiver. Any help with this issue? Thanks in advance.
Haven't tested this myself, but a good guess is because the Media Center is gone by default in Windows 8/Windows 8.1. Which would mean the Guide button:
http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/accessories/controllers
doesn't know where to go, unless you add "Windows 8.1 Pro Pack":
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/feature-packs
to get Windows Media Center back again:
http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/connections/windows-media-center-on-xbox-360-windows-vista
Hope this helps, Arj, and thank you for visiting!
I just have one question, how do i access the guide menu in windows 8.1.... if i press and hold the guide button (the center one with the cross) nothing happens. NOTE: the controller works perfectly otherwise, tried reinstalling the controller as well.
Nevermind, I did not first understand that you clicked "Let me pick from a list of devices..... ". Thank you it works!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
So simple.. had me stumped for months.
Another happy visitor, glad it worked out!
Thank you! Worked perfectly. :D
Honesty, I just don't know. In that same circumstance, I would try it on another system, to see if all the gear works fine. Then, after some manual attempts at clean up inside good old Device Manager (turn on View, Show hidden devices), I'd probably just rewind to a daily backup from before my fiddling (been on Windows Home Server line of products for years). Sorry I'm not able to weigh in with a direct solution. And it is interesting that your hardware ID is different, so it is possible my experience doesn't really apply to your situation.
Hi there. This method worked for me the first time. But then I tried one of the other driver options in the driver update section (pic 5 of your step 2) and every time I go back to the other driver that worked, it no longer syncs my controller. The controller doesn't show up in the devices and printers menu, which it did the first time. Any idea what I did? Or what I can do to fix this? My guess is something in the registry is screwing up the drivers or something. Cheers.
Edit: My hardware id is the same except i have 0107 instead of 0114 at the end of it, if that makes a difference.
Did you get the receiver to show in device manager? Did you unplug your Xbox 360 console before the sync attempts?
I"m sorry, I just don't know what the relevant difference is between your environment and mine, that might be part of the reason.
Are you also using:
a) Windows 8 64 bit?
b) a Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller?
c) a generic non-Microsoft Wireless Gaming Receiver?
If so, from where/does it look identical to mine?
hey i've tried to sync up my controller like 400 times over the course of 3 hours. my hardeware Ids are
"USB\VID045&PID0291&REV_0107"
""USB\VID045&PID0291"
I was wondering if u had any ideas to help. : /
Thank you for helping Sunny out!
Most games will probably work fine, but to be sure you should check the minimum system requirements listed near the bottom of each game's Steam page. If a game doesn't run well, try lowering the in-game graphics settings to reduce the load on your PC.
By the way, some games only offer partial controller support, meaning that although you can play the game normally using a controller you may need to use a keyboard/mouse to navigate menus on occasion. A list of Steam games with partial controller support (as opposed to full) can be found here: http://store.steampowered.com/search/?category1=998&category2=18
i also saw on net they provide plug n play charger
here is link
http://shopping.rediff.com/product/microsoft-xbox-360-play-and-charge-kit/10263909?sc_cid=www.google.co.in|browse
Nope, it uses batteries.
do i hve to buy charger to charge my controller for xbox 360??
It's currently a separate purchase, explained in more detail in paragraph 2 of the original article above. Have fun!
one more thing do i have to buy usb wireless transmitter or it come along with the controller????
Big Than'x for you valuable option . Now i am sure which one to buy and i will go with your advice and buy xbox controller as we can connect multiple controller. Big thanx for the link provided so that i know which game to install to play with my controller. One more thing i am using sony vaio laptop windows 8 64 bit with i 5 processor 4 gb ram n radeon graphis card 7100/7200 HD . Does my laptop can support all games with controller or still i have to search in the link provided by you.
Great answers above:
http://www.tinkertry.com/xbox360controller/#comment-971789569
Thank you!
Not all PC games support game controllers, but the ones that do will work with either the F710 or the Xbox controller described above. Steam has a good list of games that fully support controllers here: http://store.steampowered.com/search/?category1=998&category2=28
I would recommend getting the wireless Xbox controller over the F710. I've used mine flawlessly on Windows 8 for months now, and Paul's video above makes it really simple to set up. It costs a bit more than the F710, but I bet it'll last a lot longer and it feels really great in your hands.
Also keep in mind that only one controller can connect to the F710's USB receiver at a time, but up to 4 can connect to the Xbox controller receiver described above. That's an important detail if you want to do multiplayer gaming.
one more thing i checked on internet that some users have logitech f710 wireless controller n they r working with windows 8 but they install the driver like u showed here instead of using the logitech driver ? which one should i buy ?
is this controller works with every game or specified games?
i also saw logitech f710 controller but many say it not works with windows 8 so i am looking for other options i saw your video about x box help me to find which one is more suitable for windows 8? waiting ur feedback
thnx in advance
Yes! The only thing that made the Xbox 360 wireless controllers PC bundles special was the included Microsoft dongle, the controller itself will pair with Xbox itself, or PC (via dongle). This article is about the folks buying a cheap aftermarket non-Microsoft dongle, to allow any Xbox 360 wireless controller. Hope this helps!
Oh my god! It really worked, i did everything i could to make it work, i thought it wouldn't but thanks to you it did, you the shi*t man! :D
So nice to hear.
So kind of you Gary, you are welcome!
You are the best sir! Connected right away. Thanks very much for your post.
Sounds like the hardware is of a different make/model? Can you watch the video, 30 seconds in here:
http://youtu.be/6bcJzoy6Tr4?t=30s
see if your Device Manager entry for your USB device matches mine:
VID_045E&PID_0291&REV_0114
Paul Braren | TinkerTry.com
So sorry I missed this question (I answered hundreds, simply didn't spot this one), but yeah, on our Yoga 13, the USB receiver works fine on either the USB 2.0 port or the USB 3.0 port.