How to use an Xbox One controller to your PC

Wired or wireless, here’s how to get gaming

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If you’re trying to game on PC and prefer a controller over mouse and keyboard, you have the option to use anXbox Onecontroller. And, sinceWindows 10natively supports the Xbox One controller, setup is incredibly easy.

However, the way you connect your controller to your PC may vary a little bit depending on which type ofXbox One controlleryou have and what method you want to connect.

We’ll provide instructions for connecting using USB, Bluetooth andMicrosoft’s wireless dongle. When it comes to Bluetooth, we’ll also help you figure out whether your controller supports it, as many Xbox One controllers don’t.

How to connect any Xbox One controller to PC via USB

If you don’t mind a wired connection, using a USB cable is by far the easiest way to set up any type of Xbox One controller with a PC. This method works for Xbox One, Xbox One S, andXbox One Elite controllers.

All versions of the Xbox One controller have a Micro USB connector on them. This allows you to connect them directly to a PC using a Micro USB-to-USB Type-A cable. And, since Windows can automatically recognize connected Xbox One controllers, there’s nothing more to it.

How to connect Xbox One S controllers to PC via Bluetooth

While the original Xbox One controller did not support Bluetooth, some versions of the Xbox One controller do. You can see instructions on how toidentify a Bluetooth-capable controller here. To connect, you’ll also need to have your PC running theWindows 10Anniversary Update or later

When you’re ready, follow these steps (there’s a little room for variance in the order, but if you’re not used to pairing Bluetooth devices in Windows, try to follow our order):

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How to connect Xbox One controllers to PC using the Xbox Wireless Adapter

Windows 10 is all set and ready to work with the Xbox Wireless Adapter. Drivers will automatically install when the device is connected, so the process is largely simplified

(Note: If you have an Xbox Wireless adapter built into your computer, follow the steps for Bluetooth pairing – but, at Step seven, choose the “Everything else" option).

Try to ensure where the adapter is connected to your PC provides line of sight to the controller for the best connectivity.

Over the last several years, Mark has been tasked as a writer, an editor, and a manager, interacting with published content from all angles. He is intimately familiar with the editorial process from the inception of an article idea, through the iterative process, past publishing, and down the road into performance analysis.

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