Connect an Xbox 360 wired controller to your PC

You can use an Xbox 360 wired controller with a Windows-based computer. This page describes how.

Install the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows software on Windows 8

Follow these steps:

1. At Xbox 360 Controller for Windows, select the version of Windows 7 that matches the processor on your computer. (At this time, there is no Windows 8 version of the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows software.)
   • Windows 7 (32-bit only)
   • Windows 7 (64-bit only)
2. From the Language drop-down list, select the operating system language.
3. Click Download.
4. Select Save.
5. Right-click the Setup program and select Properties.
6. On the Compatibility tab, select the Run this program in compatibility mode for check box, and then select Windows 7 from the drop-down list.
7. Click Apply, and then click OK.
8. Double-click the Setup program to run it. The Xbox 360 Accessories Setup program installs the necessary files on the computer. You might be prompted to restart the computer.

Install the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows software on Windows 7

• Use the installation CD. To install the software by using the installation CD that came with your Xbox 360 Controller, follow these steps:
  1. Insert the installation disc in the CD or DVD drive of your computer.
     If the Setup program doesn’t automatically start, change to your CD or DVD drive and run the Setup program.
  2. On the Setup screen, click Install. The Xbox 360 Accessories Setup program installs the necessary files to your computer. You might be prompted to restart the computer.
• Download and install the software. Follow these steps:
  1. At Xbox 360 Controller for Windows, from the What operating system are you using list, select the version of Windows that is running on your computer.
  2. In the Language list, select the language that matches the Region and Language setting for the operating system. For example, if your Region and Language setting is “English (United States),” you would select English (US) from the Language list.
  3. Click Download.
  4. Select Run. The Xbox 360 Accessories Setup program installs the necessary files on the computer. You might be prompted to restart the computer.

Plug the Xbox 360 wired controller into any USB 2.0 port on the computer.

1. Open the Game Controllers dialog box:

   On Windows 8:

   • At the Start screen on your computer, type joy.cpl. Then, in the search results, click joy.cpl.

   On Windows 7:

   • On your computer, click Start, and then enter joy.cpl in the Search field.
2. Select Xbox 360 Controller, and then click Properties.
3. Test your Xbox 360 wired controller by pressing a button, pulling a trigger, or moving a stick on the controller.

Refer to your game documentation for information about how to configure the Xbox 360 Controller for a specific game.

Note If you experience problems or have questions, contact Xbox Support by using the “Contact us” link at the bottom of this page.