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Xbox One Controller's Wireless PC Adapter Coming This Month

Use your Xbox One controller on PC without a USB cable.

189 Comments

The adapter that allows Xbox One controllers to be used wirelessly with PCs and tablets is coming later this month, Microsoft has confirmed.

No Caption Provided

A listing for the dongle, officially known as the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows, references a release date of October 20 on the official Xbox website. Confusingly, GameStop and Amazon listings offer two separate dates--October 27 and November 3, respectively.

Microsoft confirmed with GameSpot that October 20 is the official release date, though at this point it remains unclear where you'll be able to purchase it on that day.

"[W]e can confirm the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows, announced earlier this year, will release on Oct. 20 in most markets," the company said in a statement today. "We look forward to sharing more details soon."

The $25 adapter was first revealed at this year's GDC, and was then confirmed for a release this fall at E3. Until now, the only official way to use an Xbox One controller on PC was by connecting it with a micro-USB cable.

That will remain the only option for some PC and tablet owners, as the new wireless adapter requires Windows 10. The new operating system is a free upgrade right now for Windows 7 and 8 users, but while adoption has been strong, there are invariably going to be those who aren't up-to-date and thus will be unable to use the adapter.

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etmaul

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I'll stick with my xbox 360 controllers. $25 for a wireless USB stick? You can get the wireless dongle for under $10 on ebay and 360 wireless controllers for even less.

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hughesyboozy

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Edited By hughesyboozy

@etmaul: When the 360 wireless dongle came out it was a lot more than this, so I don't really see your point. The Xbox One controller is a lot better anyway.

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etmaul

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@hughesyboozy: the Xbox one controller may be better now, but I'm saying for the price, ill stick with my 360 controllers until they die.

And my point is, right now, the 360 wireless dongle for the PC is a better deal because it's cheaper and so are 360 controllers which do a fine job for the majority of PC games and are completely mappable via various programs. The Xbox one controller may be better, but it's not really a game changer for the PC.

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hughesyboozy

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@etmaul: Yea that's a valid point, sorry if I misinterpreted your post. It's nice to talk to someone here who is understanding and doesn't need to be abusive to make their point : )

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etmaul

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@hughesyboozy: Not a problem man, to your point though, the Xbox one controllers feel a lot better. Maybe it's because my 360 ones are old and a bit slippery, but the Xbox one material is nice.

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Mirimon78

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Edited By Mirimon78

@hughesyboozy: in what way? As a controller, in a persons hands.. the 360 controller is still better with exception to the d pad and the very tip of the sticks....

All else is a step back.

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TurianShepard

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@hughesyboozy: "The Xbox One controller is a lot better anyway."

Not really.

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hughesyboozy

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Edited By hughesyboozy

@turianshepard: Obviously doesn't own the X1 controller.... I have both and even though I have had to use the X1 controller wired it's so much better. I can't even use the 360 controller, it feels awful now. The triggers, shape, weight and sticks are all so much better than the 360 pad. The sticks have less dead zone and the weight/pressure is so much better now for small movements. Plus you don't have that battery pack sticking out like a sore thumb.

I find it funny you saying a few posts down that you were shooting me down for stating facts, yet you have done the same thing, well done. I think if most had the choice they'd choose the X1 pad, but there's always a few who don't like change I suppose ; )

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TurianShepard

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@hughesyboozy: So once again, thats your opinion... I find it funny you struggle with the difference between fact and opinion ; )

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hughesyboozy

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@turianshepard: And again where in my post did I say fact? That's right I didn't... It's obviously my opinion as I wrote it silly ;P The only one that's struggling with that is you, not me...

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TurianShepard

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@hughesyboozy: Re-read your own post, weirdo. here's a fact, you're wrong.

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DrunkenPunk800

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Edited By DrunkenPunk800

@turianshepard: Yes, really. The D-pad is improved. The 360 D-pad is probably the worst of any controller. Even the original XBox controller's D-pad was better.

Overall, I would recommend the Logitech F710 over either. Better layout, less expensive than the XBox One controller, and the wireless dongle isn't gigantic.

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hotwog21

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@DrunkenPunk800: and what the technology didnt exist for a good dpad for the 360, welcome to gaming where u get strung along for years and years living in hope and hype on the horizon for updates patches and hardware improvements LOL its a better dpad than the 360 listen to yourself.

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Poodger

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@DrunkenPunk800: What is everyone obsession with the D-Pad? Who even uses that crap anyway? I usually forget it is even there, I just use the analogue sticks for everything.

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Flyin3lvl

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Edited By Flyin3lvl

@Poodger: gta 5, d pad, some parts of final fantasy, d pad, battlefield 4, d pad

Not for controll the movment but d pads are still used for set ups, menu scroll and weapon selections

Which games you got that dont require d pad? Unless all maped to the keyboard?

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glez13

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@Poodger: It's still useful for fighting games and many oldschool 2D games. Hell even in modern games it's usually used for inventory. It gets really annoying in games like Dark Souls when you want to use magic or an item and every now and then you also change your weapon because of the false diagonal presses. In fighting games it's basically as precise as a thumbstick used the regular way, so basically worst d-pad ever.

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Poodger

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@glez13: I am not arguing the quality of its D-Pad, but I would much rather hold the (IMO) more comfortable controller with analogue stick positions that feel better over having a better d-pad. In a perfect world, you could have both, but I know which one I prioritize.

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TurianShepard

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@DrunkenPunk800: It's purely preference. My post is merely shooting down his attempt to pass off an opinion as fact. I also never use the D-pad anymore in the large majority of games.

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elheber

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If the Steam controller is well reviewed and well received, I'll dump my XBO controller even though wireless is a feature I've wanted for a good bit.

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taqo

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need this to play fallout 4

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deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

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Meanwhile, the PS4 controller still doesn't even have a driver.

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deactivated-5b1fecf308e18

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@pongley: Search for DS4...easy

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Mirimon78

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Edited By Mirimon78

@pongley: lol.. ds4 been working on windows since day one... before even msft could make their controller work on pc... and...... ds4 does it better..., go on now, reach over for that mouse to click reply.....

And no, you can't ignore apps from 3rd parties, especially not when that was the only claim to fame last gen, how hacked the xb360 was by everybody to do something cool, because it had to be hacked to do it....

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Zerofrust

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@pongley: lol under what rock have you been living?

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TesseractE

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Edited By TesseractE

@pongley: Go to ds4windows.com. It works beautifully with USB OR Bluetooth, even on Win10.

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amazinchino

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@TesseractE: No it doesn't work beautifully, has many problems with Windows 10. A lot of games don't work properly.

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TesseractE

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@amazinchino: Huh... I hadn't had any (lasting) problems so far, and I've tried a decent variety of games. Only one I have any problems with was FFXI (L2/R2 won't register), but that was fidgety all around and a problem I've had with DS3's as well.

I guess I should specify that it works perfectly with games that support the X360 drivers for Windows, since that's what it uses to piggyback the controller inputs. For games without controller support like Minecraft (Regular Java version, not the Windows 10 Edition), I use 'Joy2Key' in concert with DS4Windows.

Which games did you have issues playing?

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amazinchino

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@TesseractE: NBA 2K15, NBA 2K16 and Dying Light from my personal library. I've seen others say the Dark Souls games don't work, Rocket League and many more. There's a complication with using the "exclusive mode" in Windows 10. This means the game sees two controllers, the actual DS4 controller and the emulated 360 version.

There's also a bunch of threads on the Input Mapper website. This one is from Reddit.

https://m.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/comments/3dwur7/psa_windows_10_cant_use_dual_shock_4_controller/

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TesseractE

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@amazinchino: OK, found our answer on this reddit thread: ( https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/comments/3f1bso/getting_windows_10_and_the_ds4_controller_to_work/ ).

"if you use DS4Windows and connect your controller via Bluetooth Windows will actually prioritize the emulated Xbox 360 controller"

I'd been using it via bluetooth, not USB. :D When I tried via USB tonight, I had an assortment of issues. When I connected via BT, it was smooth sailing.

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amazinchino

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@TesseractE: Hey thanks for trying to help, but that didn't fix the issue. It's no problem, I'll just wait for either Microsoft to send an update for a fix or the Xbox One wireless adapter. I appreciate you trying to help though!

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TesseractE

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@amazinchino: Heh. No worries. I kinda go into auto-troubleshoot mode when I see stuff like this. Good luck!

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TesseractE

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@amazinchino: Gotcha. Sadly, those are games I don't play on PC. PinballFX (Steam Version), Valkyria Chronicles, Skyrim and Burnout Paradise have all worked just fine for me, though.

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amazinchino

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Edited By amazinchino

@TesseractE: Then you fall under the category of very freakin lucky lol unfortunately I have to wait for this Xbox One wireless adapter to play in my living room.

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TesseractE

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@amazinchino: I have occasionally had an issue where it seems like it's registering two button presses instead of just one, but I usually fix that after messing with settings. I'll try to check my DS4Windows settings when I get home tonight to see if I might be able to help you out. ^^d

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Alurit

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@pongley: you can use 3rd party tools for it and use s micro usb cable. my brother does the same

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deactivated-58a78a043e9d4

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@Alurit: To trick the PC into thinking it's an Xbox controller, despite the fact that they work differently. It's also yet another program running in the background.

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TurianShepard

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@pongley: It's pretty easy to use a PS4 controller on PC.

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Aegis_Kleais

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Edited By Aegis_Kleais

Requires Windows 10, LOL. Newer is not synonymous with better. That's like thinking a post count on a forum is some representation of one's authority.

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deactivated-5a30e101a977c

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@aegis_kleais: Windows 10 has been received very well in the press

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deactivated-5a30e101a977c

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@mjc0961: not true

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DEVILTAZ35

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Edited By DEVILTAZ35

@mjc0961: Windows 10 is great but i've been using it all year in the preview program so knew what to expect and what not to expect. It is very stable though. Geting the latest preview updates is good too as one of the features they added over the release version so far is being able to control what colour you want the taskbar to be. A simple thing but worthwhile.

However if you want to take advantage of the latest tech with DX12 next year you will need Windows 10 anyway.

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thermalmotion

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I need this for Windows 7.

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mogan

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mogan  Moderator

@thermalmotion: Maybe what you really need is Windows 10 for it. : p

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mogan

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Edited By mogan  Moderator

@lonesamurai1: The cable? I don't know how long it'll last, but I know how long it is; which is not very.

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DEVILTAZ35

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@lonesamurai1: I just bought the third party one - comes with two wireless batteries and even lets you charge the batteries out of the controller directly via USB.

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DaVillain

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DaVillain  Moderator

Nice but I prefer my wire Xbox 360 though.

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BobaFettHatesU

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It's about time I can retire my 360 wireless and use the X1...

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DEVILTAZ35

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@bobafetthatesu: I love my C3PO wireless controller i got with Starwars 360 though. It's been a good controller for PC as well. It has the lockable Dpad.

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werewolfalf

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I wonder if steam link will support it.

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al_is_here

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@werewolfalf: it will

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elessarGObonzo

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@werewolfalf: if Steam is using Windows drivers or create their own it would work. since Microsoft has the drivers available i would hope Steam would make use of them. 90% of Steam games for Windows offer native gamepad support so it should unless they are trying to force users to buy and use the Steam gamepads, which would suck.

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Alurit

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Edited By Alurit

@werewolfalf: it has a usb port, and this is usb PnP so probably yes

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