Home Gaming You can finally use the Xbox One Controller on your PC

You can finally use the Xbox One Controller on your PC

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X1Controller

The Xbox One controller is a magnificent. It’s a little more angular than rounded 360 controller, but it’s incredibly comfortable, and sports those undeniably sexy rumbling triggers. Though the controller has a little micro USB port on the top if it, the thing is just not compatible with PC. That has changed; Microsoft has released a PC driver for the Xbox One controller.

“We know our fans have wanted PC compatibility, and we know they wanted to be able to use the Xbox One controller with the same games and applications they have been playing with using the Xbox 360 controller,” said Microsoft\s Major Nelson. “We can’t wait for them to play their favorite PC games with what we consider the best controller ever made.

“The new PC drivers will enable the Xbox One controller to be used with any game that featured gamepad support for the Xbox 360 controller. Simply download the drivers, connect your Xbox One controller to your computer through a micro USB cable and you’ll be gaming in no time.”

Unfortunately, there’s no wireless compatibility yet; and those old Xbox Wireless PC gaming receivers you have won’t work, as the Xbox One has ditched that old tech for Wifi direct connectivity for the controllers. Microsoft may yet release an adapter for the purpose.

If you want the drivers, you can grab ‘em here.

PC Drivers for Xbox One Controller (x86)

PC Drivers for Xbox One Controller (x64)

The Xbox One, along with its controllers will be available in South Africa this September. Sony’s PlayStation 4 controllers are recognised as such by Windows automatically, but don’t adhere to Xinput standards, so work with very few games. Of course, there is a work-around.

The excellent DS4Tool allows you to emulate Xinput support, even using the PlayStation 4 controller’s touch pad as a faux mouse. It allows you to connect to the PS4 controller via a micro USB cable or through Bluetooth.

Last Updated: June 6, 2014

91 Comments

  1. Viking Of Science

    June 6, 2014 at 12:09

    mooi man, dalk koop ek vir my so beheerder in september.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Blackburn

      June 6, 2014 at 12:15

      Miskien ek ook, maar my muis en sleutelbord bly my primêre keuse

      Reply

      • Viking Of Science

        June 6, 2014 at 12:17

        Ja natuurlik, maar daar is speletjies wat lekker speel met ‘n beheerder. soos “Thomas was alleen” en “Super Vleis seun”

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Blackburn

          June 6, 2014 at 12:22

          Inderdaad, het lekker TWA gespeel op myne

          Reply

      • HvR - THE Average GAmer

        June 6, 2014 at 12:30

        Ja wie wil met ‘n klein stokkie speel as jy meer pret met ‘n muis kan hê.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Blackburn

          June 6, 2014 at 12:31

          Hahaha, jy is korrek

          Reply

        • R1ker

          June 6, 2014 at 13:18

          Hierdie moet die opmerking van die week wees.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Blackburn

            June 6, 2014 at 13:59

            Ek sou sê tweede plek, het jy daai puik gedig gelees op die Hekser artikel?

          • R1ker

            June 6, 2014 at 14:04

            Nee, ongelukkig nie. Ek is besig met ‘n besigheids transaksie by een van ons kliente so ek vang net hier en daar ‘n artikel op die lui speletjies man se web tuiste.

  2. Jedi JJ

    June 6, 2014 at 12:09

    Woohoo!
    Though, sadly, I couldn’t sit without a controller for so many months waiting for this one, so I bought a previous gen controller.
    I wouldn’t bother with the PS4 controller. For some reason I’ve always loved the positioning of the knobbies on the Xbox controllers.

    Reply

  3. Sk3tz0

    June 6, 2014 at 12:12

    Really Best Controller ever made.. ???

    Reply

    • N@te

      June 6, 2014 at 12:17

      Yes

      Reply

    • Umar's Crown

      June 6, 2014 at 12:18

      Yes, 360 controller was the best ever made. I’m sure this surpasses it

      Reply

      • Sk3tz0

        June 6, 2014 at 12:20

        um.. nah

        Reply

        • Umar's Crown

          June 6, 2014 at 12:20

          What would you say is the best?

          Reply

          • Sk3tz0

            June 6, 2014 at 12:21

            Original Sega Genesis 6 Button Controller..

          • Umar's Crown

            June 6, 2014 at 12:23

            Okay….While great for nostalgic. It would never be functional in today’s world

          • Sk3tz0

            June 6, 2014 at 12:26

            Yea but it took a a beaten.. But DualShock 4 is a great controller..

          • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

            June 6, 2014 at 12:31

            The d-pad on that was godlike.

          • Skyblue

            June 8, 2014 at 08:47

            Streetfighter II baby!

      • Rincearbiterofhumour

        June 6, 2014 at 13:57

        I totally agree. Though I hear the new one builds on the 360s strengths.

        Reply

  4. Tom Krager

    June 6, 2014 at 12:16

    and this is important why? I mean shit I use the 360 controller now so whats the dif?

    Reply

    • Jedi JJ

      June 6, 2014 at 12:26

      If you don’t already have a controller, or if you’re stuck with an old controller that needs replacing.

      Reply

      • Tom Krager

        June 6, 2014 at 12:52

        True.

        Reply

  5. Alien Emperor Trevor

    June 6, 2014 at 12:18

    Finally! I can get rid of these antiquated things.

    Reply

    • Jedi JJ

      June 6, 2014 at 12:30

      The Steam controller fell off my list a while ago. Although it’s still pretty I can’t quite get my head around those touch pads.
      Would still love to try it out though.

      Reply

    • Admiral Chief Blackburn

      June 6, 2014 at 12:32

      Haai, ons het dieselfde sleutelbord!

      Hoe lyk joune na die jare? Myne se A knoppie het al ietwat verf verloor, maar verder, geen probleme!

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        June 6, 2014 at 12:33

        Num2 is now a worn blob, otherwise still going strong hehe.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Blackburn

          June 6, 2014 at 12:34

          So jy hardloop weg vir ‘n geveg?

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            June 6, 2014 at 12:35

            I blame Dark Souls. That’s my story.

          • Admiral Chief Blackburn

            June 6, 2014 at 12:36

            My W en A lyk maar rof, neem maar aan my ringvinger is te grof of ek koes meestal links

          • Jedi JJ

            June 6, 2014 at 12:37

            Ek wil nie weet hoekom jou A rof lyk nie.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            June 6, 2014 at 12:41

            bwhahahahahahaha especially after yesterday’s misreading?

          • Jedi JJ

            June 6, 2014 at 12:44

            Haha.

          • Admiral Chief Blackburn

            June 6, 2014 at 12:54

            Janee, het my baie baie geskok daai een!

      • Jedi JJ

        June 6, 2014 at 12:33

        Ek sit tans met ‘n R90 Genius sleutelbord.

        Reply

        • HvR - THE Average GAmer

          June 6, 2014 at 12:35

          Nog altyd net gratis sleutelborde gebruik (werk of universiteit het altyd ekstras iewers in boks gehad) so vervang hulle sommer jaarliks.

          Gebruik wel ‘n Saphira muis.

          Reply

          • Jedi JJ

            June 6, 2014 at 12:36

            Genius Dood Nemer (spelling?) muis vir my.

      • HvR - THE Average GAmer

        June 6, 2014 at 12:34

        Nog altyd gedink jy is so biejtie links georiënteerd

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Blackburn

          June 6, 2014 at 12:35

          Niks fout met Razer nie ou maat! Daardie ding is my getroue kneg al deur duisende ure se oorlog!

          Reply

          • HvR - THE Average GAmer

            June 6, 2014 at 12:38

            Bedoel eintlik as A al die skade het dat jy dan die heeltyd links hardloop en insinueer dat dit dan ook jou politieke oorweging is.

          • Admiral Chief Blackburn

            June 6, 2014 at 12:39

            Haha, verstaan jou nou korrek, ek sien myself bietjie meer politiek regs hehehe

          • HvR - THE Average GAmer

            June 6, 2014 at 12:40

            Ag moenie jok nie jou vuil kommunis. 🙂

    • Aries

      June 6, 2014 at 12:39

      nope never, use M&K for Fps is a must for more responsive and accurate and a controller for sports and RPG

      Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      June 6, 2014 at 12:48

      recently replaced my Razer Lycosa for a corsair vengeance, best move I ever made.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Blackburn

        June 6, 2014 at 12:53

        Hoekom?

        Reply

  6. Labey-Kun

    June 6, 2014 at 12:19

    Well that’s good news, because when the console hits our shores there won’t be issues like the Xbox 360 controller did.

    Reply

  7. Alex Hicks

    June 6, 2014 at 12:21

    hhhmmm – did not know about that PS4 workaround. So I could attach a PS4 controller to the PC in the living room via bluetooth; and use the workaround to basically have a fully functioning remote mouse for use in xbmc.

    I could also use the controller while I stream from my main PC to the living room PC via home-streaming on Steam (assuming I manage to iron out the bugs)

    But I prefer the XBox controller’s layout … but then have to fight cables and whatnot.

    Reply

  8. Sk3tz0

    June 6, 2014 at 12:29

    There is a special place in Hell reserved for people who use a controller on a PC.. Mouse and Keyboard. nuff said.

    Reply

    • Jedi JJ

      June 6, 2014 at 12:30

      I can’t do racing games with a KB, there’s zero sensitivity control.

      Reply

      • Aries

        June 6, 2014 at 12:40

        or sports, the old fifa games had the best setup and now it just unplayable for me

        Reply

        • Jedi JJ

          June 6, 2014 at 12:43

          Quite. I luckily have PS3 for sport games, but I wouldn’t be able to do it with a kb.

          Reply

          • Aries

            June 6, 2014 at 12:44

            i have a ps3 also, but neglected it since i got my pc and the games now all old

          • Jedi JJ

            June 6, 2014 at 12:47

            Ha. Same here. Newest game I own for my PS is Fight Night Champion and only got that because it’s great fun when I have friends over. Though I’ve been considering a rugby game from the 2nd-hand bin at BT.

          • Aries

            June 6, 2014 at 12:49

            mine fifa 13 still, my 5 yr old nephew plays with the thing now, and my controllers abit worn out

          • Matthew Holliday

            June 6, 2014 at 12:47

            ps3 doesnt get the steam specials though.
            i picked up injustice, gods among us for 7$ on steam, which i play with my 360 controller.

          • Jedi JJ

            June 6, 2014 at 12:48

            Have considered getting that actually.

          • Matthew Holliday

            June 6, 2014 at 12:51

            dont, it is the most difficult game to control and learn.
            combos never work, feels sluggish and is just a pain to figure out.
            spent the whole of last night trying to get it right, still suck hard.

            read the comic and play dbz budokai, street fight or naruto instead

          • Jedi JJ

            June 6, 2014 at 13:22

            Sheesh. Okay. Thanks for the warning.

          • Matthew Holliday

            June 6, 2014 at 13:39

            the new naruto game was on special the other day though, should be back on for the summer sale.

            bottom line is, I think I can live without the console exclusives, and decided to invest the console money into a PC upgrade, when the time comes.
            will save big time when it comes to game prices.

            dual screened with my TV and with my 360 controller, my PC serves the same function as a console anyway.

          • Jedi JJ

            June 6, 2014 at 14:10

            Absolutely.
            Excellent. I need to get a new monitor though, mine is ancient. (at least not CRT ancient)
            New Steam sale coming around end of this month, should help me get a few things off my wishlist.

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      June 6, 2014 at 12:31

      I use a controller on PC. I’ll see the rest of you in hell.

      Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      June 6, 2014 at 12:46

      its better for certain games.
      i played arkham oranges, assassins creed and fighter games with a 360 controller on my pc, dual screened to my tv.
      it was glorious.

      Reply

      • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

        June 6, 2014 at 12:46

        LIKE. A. BOSS

        Reply

      • Aries

        June 6, 2014 at 12:48

        same here, had arkham and assassins on ps3, so was too used playing with a control

        Reply

        • Matthew Holliday

          June 6, 2014 at 12:54

          i could probably get used to a keyboard, but it feels so much better sitting on a couch, playing it on a big screen.
          they were designed for consoles, so paly it like a console.

          Reply

          • Aries

            June 6, 2014 at 12:57

            ya, RPG are more relaxed and slow compared to fps games

      • Jedi JJ

        June 6, 2014 at 12:48

        Calling it “glorious” is understating
        Also played my Batman games with my 360 controller on my pc.

        Reply

      • Sk3tz0

        June 6, 2014 at 12:54

        Played Ass Creep and Batman games all on Keyboard and Mouse.

        Reply

        • Matthew Holliday

          June 6, 2014 at 12:59

          played arkham asylum and ass creep 1 on a keyboard and mouse.
          arkham city and asscreep 2+brotherhood on ps3.
          played black flag and oranges with a 360 controller.

          had the best experience with the 360 controller.

          ask me to play a shooter with a controller though, and im so bad, i cant even laugh at myself.
          some things just dont beat a mouse.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Blackburn

            June 6, 2014 at 13:02

            Ek stem saam

    • Acornbread

      June 6, 2014 at 17:44

      Mouse & keyboard is rubbish, there’s no aim assist. 😉

      Reply

  9. Brendyn Zachary

    June 6, 2014 at 12:46

    IMO being able to connect through a USB is better than having to use that lame Wireless Connector. Well done MS, we are very, very proud.

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      June 6, 2014 at 12:48

      Yeah, the option for both would be nice. My Pc is close to my TV, connected with a long hdmi cable – but not close enough that a regular micro usb cable suffices. So the option to go wireless would mean I’d grab an X1 controller in a flash. Right now, BT and a Ps4 controller works, but I like options.

      Reply

      • Matthew Holliday

        June 6, 2014 at 12:56

        so long as the drivers and recievers are better than the 360’s.
        i tried 2 wireless ones, one had a driver conflict, and the other had a faulty reciever, returned them and went for a wired one because of the hassle.

        Reply

        • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

          June 6, 2014 at 12:59

          They uses an implementation of Wifi direct instead of that weird, switching, proprietary standard. Theoretically, it SHOULD be fine.

          Reply

          • Matthew Holliday

            June 6, 2014 at 13:02

            unless microsoft holds boxing tournaments and uses packaged xbone controllers for boxing gloves.
            like they must have done with the 360 ones, the number of faulty recievers was ridiculous.

      • Brendyn Zachary

        June 6, 2014 at 12:59

        Agreed, but I’m sure by the time the XBONE hits SA there will be a wireless receiver for PC, if not, we can make one with gum, a rubber band and the skull of a T-rex.

        Reply

      • Alex Hicks

        June 6, 2014 at 13:23

        Geoff,

        You seem to have experience with this. Can you think of a reason why I shouldn’t do the following: I have an old Intel Atom netbook currently connected to my TV which runs win XP and XBMC. I want to switch to SteamOS; and run XBMC. Then add in a DS4 with that wrapper and connect it via BT.

        I’d only want to jam some games on the TV, the Ubisoft ports mostly; or FIFA, if I can get a version to work through Steam. The majority of the time I’d use the PC for XBMC. Since you can use the controller’s touchpad as a faux mouse – that could be full navigation right?

        Reply

        • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

          June 6, 2014 at 13:45

          Yes, but it’s not NEARY as accurate in it’s current state as you’d like. it’s more “last resort” control than primary.

          Reply

  10. Rincearbiterofhumour

    June 6, 2014 at 13:00

    • FoxOneZA

      June 6, 2014 at 13:05

      Long time. But it’s a schlep controller to use on the PC.

      Reply

    • Langer

      June 6, 2014 at 13:08

      Any blueteeth device works out the box with a MS PC and an Android device.
      /troll

      Reply

      • Moused

        June 6, 2014 at 13:11

        Don’t be explaining PC’s and tech to a troll.

        Wince is likely a kid that has nothing other than to troll every MS article on LG for his 1 GIF of fame.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          June 6, 2014 at 13:49

          *Rince

          Reply

  11. Alwyn Dippenaar

    June 6, 2014 at 13:22

    awesome.. xbox one i can buy now? where? America… Japan… yay…

    Reply

  12. Morne Nell

    June 6, 2014 at 14:37

    If you buy this you can’t link yourself to the master race at all, Rather be honest and say you are a stingy PC gamers that actually can’t afford consoles but deep inside wants one, :):)
    Microsloppy will probably link this to there “Console” sale figures, and tell everyone how many “consoles” they are selling clever marketing. Or they have so many of them left and don’t know what to do with them

    Reply

  13. Acornbread

    June 6, 2014 at 17:42

    I hope they release a wired Windows version like they did with the 360 controller. It was cheaper and I don’t care for wireless when PC is concerned.

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      June 6, 2014 at 18:13

      it is wired. Just plug one end of micro usb cable in to pc, other end into X1 controller.

      Reply

      • Acornbread

        June 6, 2014 at 18:18

        Yeah but I’m worried about the cable-controller connection… how quickly will it start deteriorating? Like earphone connections, they’re always the first thing to break. Or cellphone-charger connections. With the 360 controller it wasn’t an issue, the connection wasn’t removable. Maybe I’m just nitpicking. 😛

        Reply

  14. Conal McLaughlin

    July 12, 2014 at 03:41

    no wireless support yet? Of course MS is going to make you buy a proprietary receiver……AGAIN!

    USB extension cables are cheap at Amazon at least……just plug your short ass micro usb cable into that….

    Reply

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