Not many people thought that Microsoft was serious about porting their Xbox experience to PCs. Whatever the reason, almost no one doubts that the company is serious right now. It all started with the Xbox Elite Controller. Must Be Mobile It was reviewed earlier this year.
The Xbox Elite Controller is Microsoft’s first serious piece of hardware made specifically for hardcore gamers. Introduced at the Electronics Entertainment Expo last year, the Xbox Elite Controller offers top-notch build quality and customization options not available for the regular Xbox One Wireless Controller. These features include the ability to connect the controller to a Windows 10 PC for updates, customization and button mapping.
Here’s how to use the Xbox Elite Controller on Windows PCs.
Why Should You Use an Xbox Elite Controller?
Before we get started, I think we need to answer a few obvious questions about the Xbox Elite Controller. First of all, why bother using the Xbox Elite Controller for PC games? Why not use a joystick or gaming keyboard?
The truth is, both of these options are great if you’re a domestic PC gamer. The Xbox Elite Controller is perfect for gamers. not It is specific to PC games or prefers a controller. Having a controller means being able to sit back and enjoy the game with nothing on your lap. You are no longer chained to the space right in front of your gaming PC.
Via keymapping, you can decide which buttons on the Xbox Elite Controller match the keys on your keyboard. Games that already support the controllers will seamlessly map to the Xbox One Controller. With the right accessories, no wires are required for installation.
While starting
Before you buy the $149.99 Xbox Elite Controller, consider how you’ll want to use it on your PC. Gone are the days when you had to choose between wanting your controller to be wired or wireless; Elite Controller manages both ways to interact with your gaming PC. Included with the controller is a braided mini USB cable that allows you to charge from and connect to your PC.
What’s not included with the Xbox Elite Controller is the Xbox Wireless Adapter. You will need the Xbox Wireless Adapter before your Windows PC can communicate with your controller. The Xbox Wireless Adapter costs $24.99. Amazon.
Another important thing to consider is the operating system you have installed on your PC. The Xbox app for Windows and the Xbox Accessories apps are how Microsoft extends the Xbox experience to your computer. Both are only available to Windows 10 and Xbox One owners. Indeed, to get the most out of the Xbox Elite Controller, you must have a PC with Windows 10 preinstalled or have taken advantage of the Free Windows 10 Upgrade Offer.
Mapping Buttons with the Xbox Accessories App
Download Xbox Accessory application To begin pairing the buttons with your Xbox Elite Controller. You will be guided through the process of naming your controller and take a tour of all the features it has to offer.
Every Windows game with Xbox 360 controller support that you already have requires no tweaking other than downloading the app and choosing what you want the fins on the back of the controller to replicate.
You can give each controller configuration a name and assign it to a specific slot so you can get in and out easily. There are also options for joystick sensitivity, logo brightness, and inverting some of the controller’s functions.
Mapping Keys with JoyToKey
Whatever the reason, there are tons of games outside of the Windows Store that don’t come with controller support. Usually these are games that for some reason heavily depend on mouse input. Cities is an excellent example. Steam lists the game as having partial controller support, but it doesn’t work with any controller on PC. That is, without some additional handles. A little work and you can make any game that supports your Xbox Elite Controller.
The best software I’ve found to do this is called JoyToKey. Once your Xbox Elite Controller is connected, you can assign it to replicate the actions of certain keys on your keyboard. For example, the left joystick on the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller can duplicate a PC mouse. Buttons may look like the A key on your computer.
Download JoyToKey from: here, and extract the files to a safe place on your PC. There is no installation on its own, you just need to double click on the program to open it and start mapping the keys to your controller.
When you start the installation, press a specific button on your controller and JoyToKey will tell you which button with a yellow highlight. For best results, you should get a list of keys required by your PC game and then use the .
To fine-tune individual keys, you need to select the button from the list and double-click it. Press the key on your keyboard that you want to map.
If you want to pair a joystick on the Xbox Elite Controller with your mouse, choose from the list of options.
Note that in the future you will need to launch JoyToKey before playing any game where you need to match keys. The app makes this a little easier by letting you force launch for certain games in the Settings menu. Note that Xbox Live games downloaded via the Windows Store do not require any key mapping.
Good luck with your Xbox Elite Wireless Controller.
