Step
1: Installing software
First off, find and insert the installation
CD that came with your wired Xbox 360 controller into your PC’s optical
drive. Follow the on-screen installation wizard that appears, or run the
setup program manually. Regardless of how you bring up the installer,
click Install and the software will automatically install the
required files to your PC. In some cases, you may be required to restart your
computer upon completion of the install; if so, go ahead and restart your PC.
Now, for those without the installation CD,
you can easily download the software online. You’ll want to visit the
Microsoft Hardware website, and go to the Software Downloads section. Once
there, click on the Gaming header, followed by Xbox 360Controller for Windows. When prompted, select the version of Microsoft
Windows you are using, your operating system language, and clickDownload.
Click Run when the download screen appears, and the Xbox 360
Accessories Setup will begin installing the required files. Just like with the
installation CD, you may be required to restart your computer once the install
is complete.
Step
2: Plugging in
Once the software is installed, plug in
your wired Xbox 360 controller to one of the USB ports on your PC.
Step
3: Testing the controller
Once the necessary software is installed
and the controlled plugged in, it’s time to test the connection. Open the
Start menu on your PC, open the Run utility, and type “joy.cpl” in the
entry field before clicking OK. Next, select Xbox 360 Controller and
click Properties. Now press the controller’s buttons, pull the triggers,
and move the joysticks to ensure the controller is functioning properly. If it
is, you’ll see the correlating action highlighted in the application. If the
application does not recognize the controller, you can troubleshoot via Xbox’s
support website, or double check the required software was installed
successfully.
