Xbox One controllers work with your PC now

By Will Fulton June 5, 2014

microsoft xbox one review controller front angle — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Xbox One controllers are finally compatible with Windows PCs, Xbox hypeman Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb confirms on his blog. The latest Microsoft console’s gamepad works with any game that supports Xbox 360 controllers.

The drivers set to be bundled into an upcoming Windows update, but eager fans can get them now via a direct link in Major Nelson’s blog post. Simply download the drivers, plug in your controller via USB, and let your PC sort out the rest. Before long, you’ll be playing your favorite games with Xbox One controller’s improved functionality in no time.

This driver release should also create additional options down the road when new Xbox One controller updates are released. Unlike the Xbox 360, Xbox One gamepads have sophisticated software built into them that can be tweaked via firmware updates. Currently, that’s only possible via the console (read our step-by-step), but PC support potentially opens the door for plug-and-play updates on your Windows machine as well.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Will Fulton is a New York-based writer and theater-maker. In 2011 he co-founded mythic theater company AntiMatter Collective…

Gaming

How to get the Buster Sword in Apex Legends and how it works

Valkyrie holding the Buster Sword

Apex Legends has crossed over with various properties to some degree, but the current Apex Legends x Final Fantasy VII Rebirth event marks the most substantial crossover the popular battle royale has seen thus far. With tons of Final Fantasy VII-themed character and weapon skins, it's pretty much exactly what fans need to get pumped for the release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth next month. In addition to all of the cosmetics you can buy is the addition of the iconic Buster Sword that can be found and wielded against your opponents during matches. Below, we'll tell you where to find Cloud Strife's weapon of choice and how it works.
How to get the Buster Sword
You can find the Buster Sword in multiple locationsduring each match by looking for bright red beams coming off the ground. When coming upon one of these red beams, you'll see the Buster Sword stuck in the ground, so just walk over and pick it up to add it to one of your weapon slots. Bear in mind that the Buster Sword can also be found in Neutral Care Packages or on the ground next to fallen players who had one, so the chances of you finding one in each match are relatively high.

Once you've equipped a Buster Sword, you'll be able to dish out some pretty impressive damage to foes if you can close the gap on them. The weapon's light attacks will deal 25 damage per hit, while heavy attacks output a whopping 60 damage, meaning just a few good swings from this bad boy can put someone down. You can also launch into the air and slam down on unsuspecting players below, or even use the sword to block incoming attacks by holding down the same button you use for aiming.

Gaming

How to gameshare on Xbox One

Image of xbox One x console.

Gamesharing is one of the best features the gaming world has seen over the past decade. The Xbox One was one of the first consoles to fully embrace this feature, and the simple process allows you to give a person you trust access to your library of downloadable games. This feature would carry forward to the next-generation Series X and S consoles as well.

Additionally, you can gain access to the games on your trusted friend’s Xbox account. The Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X make gamesharing easy, but this process does come with a few restrictions that you should know beforehand.

Gaming

The best PS5 controller is finally getting an Xbox variant

A front-and-back image of Victrix's Xbox Pro BFG controller.

Victrix announced that an Xbox-compatible version of its Pro BFG controller will hit store shelves in 2024, giving owners of Microsoft's consoles the opportunity to use a version of one of the best third-party PlayStation 5 controllers.

The Victrix Pro BFG stands out from other third-party controllers due to its modular setup. Players can move around the sticks to be offset or level with each other, and it even features a Fight Pad module that makes playing fighting games like Street Fighter 6 a bit more comfortable. Victrix also plans to release new Hall Effect Stick Modules for both the PS5 and Xbox versions of the controller starting in February.