How can you connect your new gaming controller to a Windows 11 or 10 PC, and what can you do with it? Let us show you how to get your game on as quickly and simply as possible.
Years ago, gaming on PCs was restricted to the arrow keys, or W,A,S,D and a mouse. Over the years, game controllers made their way to the PC. Some connected via serial interfaces, others via your sound card’s MIDI/game port. This is when we usually ended up in driver hell, which often ate into our gaming time. The advent of USB eliminated this issue, and modern Windows operating systems now detect and configure the controller automatically. Here’s the fastest way to complete this process.
Using a Wired Connection for your Controller
The simplest way to connect your controller to a Windows 11 PC is via a USB cable.
1. Using the correct cable, connect the cable to the controller. Older Xbox controllers use Micro USB. The newer Series X/S pads use USB Type-C. Remember to purchase a good, quality data cable, as some cables are only for charging.
2. Connect the controller to the PC. Windows will detect and configure it ready for use.
3. Press the Xbox button to launch the Xbox Game Bar, proving that your controller is connected.
5. Start playing games!
Connecting Your Controller Via Bluetooth
1. Press the Xbox button until it turns on and starts flashing slowly.
2. Press and hold the connect button until the Xbox button starts flashing faster. This signifies that the controller is going into pairing mode.
3. On your Windows PC, go to the system tray and click on the Bluetooth icon, select Add a Bluetooth device.
4. Make sure that Bluetooth is on, and then click Add device.
5. Select Bluetooth.
6. Select Xbox Wireless Controller and wait until it is connected.
7. Click Done.
8. Press the Xbox button to launch the Xbox Game Bar, proving that your controller is connected.
9. Start playing games!
The Xbox Game Bar
Windows 11 and 10 both have a Game Bar mode that provides quick access, inside and out of games, to
Launch a game.
Record your gameplay/desktop.
Take screenshots.
Control audio.
View performance statistics (FPs, GPU, CPU, etc).
Open in-game social features.
Open the Xbox app or Game Pass (if you are subscribed).
Long-press to switch Steam into Big Picture mode.
Press the Xbox button to launch the Xbox Game Bar, and you will see the following.
1. Home: Access game capture, Co-Pilot “chat,” gallery of images and video captures, and general settings.
2. Quick-launch: Launch your most played games without opening Steam, etc.
3. Game Libraries: Open your many game libraries to play your games.
4. Settings: Access gaming-focused settings without delving through the Control Panel / Settings menus.
Press A to select the appropriate option. Pressing the Xbox button or ESC will close the Game Bar.
The Xbox Game Bar is a useful addition to the Windows operating system, and by using an Xbox controlle,r we get fast and convenient access to features critical to our gaming success.
