Connecting an Xbox controller to a computer

 Despite having "Xbox" in its name, you are not required to pair the Xbox Wireless Gamepad with a console. The controller connects to both Windows 10 and Windows 11, enabling wireless use with any PC game that is compatible. To begin using your Xbox gamepad with your PC, follow these steps.

Determine the Xbox controller you currently own.

You can skip this step if you recently purchased a new Xbox gamepad because you already have the most recent version. And if you acquired one recently, you are probably also in good shape in that regard. The Xbox Wireless Gamepad that is now available supports Bluetooth and Xbox wireless connectivity and comes with the Xbox Series S/X. The majority of Xbox Wireless Gamepads of that generation incorporated Bluetooth after the initial wave of Xbox One systems. You can move on from here if you want to use Bluetooth or a wired connection.

The original Xbox One controllers are not Bluetooth-enabled and only use the Xbox wireless protocol. For Xbox gaming consoles, this is fine, but not for PCs. You may still employ one.with your PC, but the process is different; you must get a wireless dongle.

You must inspect the plastic that surrounds the Guide button if you have an earlier Xbox One gamepad. You have a Bluetooth gamepad if it is made of the same smooth plastic as the controller's face and has no seams. A non-Bluetooth gamepad has a seam between the Guide button and the controller's face and is made of the same plastic as the bumper buttons. It is a modern Xbox Series controller with Bluetooth if it features a small, rectangular Capture button between the Menu and View buttons and a USB-C port on the top rather than a micro USB port.

Wire your Xbox controller to your computer.

Although it is straightforward, a physical wire is required to connect the controller to your PC. This is the procedure.

Depending on the controller version, insert one end of your USB-to-micro USB or USB-to-USB-C cable into the controller.

the other end into your computer

I'm done now! Under Windows 10 and 11, it will automatically configure itself and work with almost every PC game.

Utilize a USB adapter to connect your Xbox controller to your PC.

An Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows 10 is required if you wish to utilise a newer Xbox One controller with Microsoft's proprietary wireless connection rather than Bluetooth (and enable headset connectivity) or if you have an older Xbox One controller. It is a USB dongle made to connect to your Xbox gamepad without the use of Bluetooth or pairing procedures. Simply insert the dongle in and link your controller with it by pushing the pairing button on each device, exactly as you would when pairing your Xbox.