XBox Controller For Windows Question

[ChrisLoudon]

Hi guys, as one of my Xbox controllers for Windows broke, I still have the USB dongle.

 

Will ANY Xbox controller work with the dongle or do I need to buy the 'For Windows / PC' version?

 

I noticed that Amazon are selling genuine MS Controllers for pretty cheap so was gonna get a replacement.

[HanZie82]

Dont those Xbox controllers use Bluetooth now?

[ChrisLoudon]

3 minutes ago, HanZie82 said:

Dont those Xbox controllers use Bluetooth now?

I dunno, maybe.

 

I've bought a few XBox controllers for Windows over the years including the old 360 style controller and they have always come with a usb dongle of sorts.

 

The Amazon listing does include Windows as supported but it mentions the dongle / Bluetooth as separate requirement.

[Brando212]

2 hours ago, HanZie82 said:

Dont those Xbox controllers use Bluetooth now?

this is correct, the dongle was dropped in the Xbox One days for standard bluethooth.

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/learning-center/how-to-connect-xbox-controller-to-pc

[OhioYJ]

The "For Windows" version just includes the dongle. Once you have the dongle any Xbox controller will connect to that dongle. Now that "any" means any Xbox one/x/s controller. 360 controllers are a different adapter. 

[ChrisLoudon]

4 hours ago, OhioYJ said:

The "For Windows" version just includes the dongle. Once you have the dongle any Xbox controller will connect to that dongle. Now that "any" means any Xbox one/x/s controller. 360 controllers are a different adapter. 

Thanks buddy.

 

To clarify, if the controller came with a Dongle, it can only connect 'with the dongle'?

 

I tried unplugging the dongle and connecting via BT but it didn't show up in the list of connectable devices.

[OhioYJ]

38 minutes ago, ChrisLoudon said:

Thanks buddy.

 

To clarify, if the controller came with a Dongle, it can only connect 'with the dongle'?

 

I tried unplugging the dongle and connecting via BT but it didn't show up in the list of connectable devices.

Incorrect, the controller is still a regular Xbox controller, and can connect to an Xbox too, and has a Bluetooth as well. It's just the only way to get that "dumb" dongle (I'm salty  that Microsoft never stocks the dongle by itself. I seriously have 12 controllers already, just sell me a dongle.)

 

The Microsoft dongle has advantages over BT, but if you want connecting in BT is different, double check me, but I believe you just hold down the pairing button a longer. I think it's a few seconds. 

[Lingwendil]

15 hours ago, ChrisLoudon said:

Thanks buddy.

 

To clarify, if the controller came with a Dongle, it can only connect 'with the dongle'?

 

I tried unplugging the dongle and connecting via BT but it didn't show up in the list of connectable devices.

OG Xbox one controllers did not use bluetooth, later/current ones do. They transitioned over to bluetooth, but if you buy a unit that comes with a dongle it is likely the older xbox-specific wireless that needs the dongle to connect as it may not feature bluetooth.