The Xbox One Wireless Adapter Now Works With Windows 7/8

[Steven Bogos]

The Xbox One Wireless Adapter Now Works With Windows 7/8

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Previously, the wireless adapter for the Xbox One controller only worked with Windows 10.

Here's some news that some people probably saw coming: the arbitrary Windows 10-only restriction on the Xbox One wireless controller adapter [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/142807-Xbox-One-Windows-10-Wireless-Controller-Adapter#&gid=gallery_4870&pid=1] has been lifted, meaning that you'll be able to use your Xbox One controllers in wireless mode on PCs running Windows 7 and 8. Prior to today, the controllers would still work on the older versions of Windows, but only if they were connected to the PC via a USB cable in "wired" mode.

When Xbox One controller support was first announced for Windows, the Windows 10 exclusivity of the wireless adapter puzzled many, as there seemed to be absolutely no technical reason for it. It most definitely smelled of Microsoft putting just another bullet point on the "reasons to upgrade to Windows 10" checklist, and now with today's revelation, it seems that was absolutely the case.

Windows 10 is currently available as a free upgrade for anyone who is running Windows 7 or 8 (even pirated versions! [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/140152-Windows-10-Will-Update-For-Free-On-Pirated-Windows-Copies]) but of course, some people are still hesitant to upgrade for various reasons. The Xbox One wireless controller adapter is available for around $25.

I picked up an Xbox One controller a few weeks ago and i'm loving it. I was a big fan of using the 360 controller on my PC (mostly due to how seamless it interacted with most of my games) and the Xbox One controller is just a flat out upgrade in every regard. I have made the upgrade to Windows 10 (I honestly believe it is worth it), but this is good news for anyone who is still apprehensive of it.

Source: Twitter [https://twitter.com/majornelson/status/675012608248913920]

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[KaiUno]

That thing is way too expensive.

 

[aceman67]

That thing is way too expensive.

$25 too expensive? Wow, someone is cheap...

(even pirated versions! [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/140152-Windows-10-Will-Update-For-Free-On-Pirated-Windows-Copies])

Microsoft backtracked on this like 9 days after they announced it [https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/2190/sorry-microsoft-is-not-giving-free-windows-10-to-pirates], yes, pirated users can upgrade to Windows 10, but the licence they get will not be genuine and can (IE will) be shut down unless cracked.

 

[KaiUno]

That thing is way too expensive.

$25 too expensive? Wow, someone is cheap...

It's about 30 Euros here, or about $35. Which is like half the price of the controller itself. I'm sorry, but that's just too damn expensive. Why didn't they just go for BT? My DS4 has been hooked up to my PC wireless since the day it came out.

 

[bluegate]

That thing is way too expensive.

$25 too expensive? Wow, someone is cheap...

It's about 30 Euros here, or about $35. Which is like half the price of the controller itself. I'm sorry, but that's just too damn expensive. Why didn't they just go for BT? My DS4 has been hooked up to my PC wireless since the day it came out.

Gotta squeeze some more money from them chumps buying those controllers.

So, they are done trying to get people to switch to Win10? What's next, direct x 12 on win7 after all?

 

[shrekfan246]

I've never really liked the shape of the Xbox controller anyway, and it always perplexed me that they became the "standard" controller people talked about for PCs when gamepads on PC had been a thing already for a few years prior and when every other controller works just as well.

I guess it's because people still think Windows and Microsoft are synonymous with PC, and because Xbox controllers were made to work with Windows with the least fuss that was just the easiest and laziest thing?

Eh, whatever, good for the people who prefer them, though unless you're one of the people who uses a television with your PC or have an irrational hatred for cables I don't honestly see what the benefit of wireless controls is for actual gaming. If you're at a monitor you're usually close enough that cord length isn't going to be an issue, and going wireless typically increases input lag (admittedly not always in an amount noticeable enough for most people to care) and runs the risk of having your controller/mouse/keyboard giving out on you at inopportune moments, and then you have to plug it in anyway.