How to install xbox 360 controller on windows 8.1

How to install xbox 360 controller on windows 8.1 how to#

The knockoffs are almost always branded вЂњX360вЂќ, seen above right, and usually say вЂњPC Wireless Gaming ReceiverвЂќ or a variation on the back.

The official Microsoft Xbox 360, seen above left, is always branded as вЂњMicrosoftвЂќ on the front and says вЂњMicrosoft Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for WindowsвЂќ on the back. Typically, youвЂ™ll find them ranging in price from $7-15 and theyвЂ™re either flawless clones that are indistinguishable from the official adapter dongle or theyвЂ™re terrible knockoffs that will give you a headache setting them up. On the opposite side of things, youвЂ™ll find piles upon piles of knockoff USB receivers sold separatelyВ all over Amazon, eBay, and other big online marketplaces. (Remember, вЂњfulfilled by Amazon does not guarantee a genuine product.) The Dubious Aftermarket Clones: Cheap and Doable, but a Headache If you must shopВ on Amazon, be sure youвЂ™re buying a product marked вЂњfulfilled by AmazonвЂќ and be ready to return it if it ends up that the product is not an official model. If you can find it cheaper from a reputable retailer, then by all means jump on it. The MSRP of the official bundle $59.95, and youвЂ™ll usually find it at close to that price at places like Best Buy. RELATED: I Got Scammed by a Counterfeiter on Amazon. And hey, if you only need the USB receiver,В you can always sell the controllerВ on Craigslist and try to get your money back. Despite the Xbox 360 getting a little long in the tooth, you can still find official Xbox 360 вЂњFor WindowsвЂќ controller packs both on the shelves at many electronics retailers, online, and directly from Microsoft. If you donвЂ™t mind paying a premium (and potentially buying an extra controller you donвЂ™t need) then the most frustration-free and guaranteed-to-work method is to buy the official Xbox 360 wireless controller for Windows bundle. The Official Bundle: Expensive, But Headache-Free They sell it in a bundle with a wireless controllerвЂ“but if you already have a wireless controller, you probably donвЂ™t want to buy another one just to get the adapter. Microsoft doesnвЂ™t sell the adapter by itself.

This is where the decision making process gets slightly complicated.

How to install xbox 360 controller on windows 8.1 how to#

RELATED: How to Use an Xbox 360 Controller On Your Windows PC Xbox 360 controllers use a propriety 2.4Ghz communication method that need a specificВ a USB adapter made for the Xbox 360 controllerвЂ“no substitutes allowed. ThatвЂ™s right, you canвЂ™t just connect aВ wireless Xbox 360 controller to your PC using Bluetooth, or anything like that. A wired controller is pure plug and play with no hassleвЂ“but if you absolutely must have wireless play at your PC, youвЂ™ll need to buy a USB-to-wireless adapter. IfВ youвЂ™re sitting at your computer desk and not across the living room, for exampleвЂ“then you might just want to skip the whole hassle, just buy an official wired Xbox 360 controller for $27, and be done with it. WhenВ it comes to wireless Xbox 360 on Windows you have three options: the expensive and easy way, the cheap and somewhat frustrating way, and the grey market middle ground. LetвЂ™s take a look at how you can enjoy wireless gameplay on your PC while minimizing the headaches. The wired Xbox 360 controller is USB, so using it for PC gaming is easyвЂ“but things get a bit more complex if you have a wireless controller.