As of this week, the Xbox One’s Wireless Controller Adaptor no longer limits its functionality to PC devices running Windows 10. The adaptor can now function fully with Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 enabled units, meaning that the potential audience for the dongle has suddenly become far larger.
The news was announced in a tweet from Xbox Live’s Director of Programming Larry Hryb, and will come as a welcome development for PC users who had been unable to utilise the Xbox One’s wireless controller for PC functionality.
In addition to Windows 10, starting today Xbox Wireless Adapter now supports Windows 7 & 8.1 https://t.co/f4NMTw9PhNpic.twitter.com/K4rFPM2ktm
— Larry Hryb (@majornelson) December 10, 2015
The functions of the controller for the PC are greater than just for use with PC gaming – though this is obviously their most common application – and the controller can also help streamline Xbox to PC streaming. The adaptor fits into a standard USB port and can facilitate the use of up to eight Xbox One controllers with the PC device.