I've been really enjoying my Xbox lately (when the family is asleep) as well as some fun Retrogaming on original consoles. Back in 2015 I showed how you can stream from your Xbox to any PC using the Xbox app from the Windows Store. You can pair your Xbox controller with any PC you've got around (either with the $20 Xbox Wireless Adapter or just with a micro-USB cable you likely have already). In fact, I often walk on the treadmill while streaming games from the Xbox to my little Surface Pro 3.
Now Microsoft has jumped on the trend, and have added casting abilities to the Xbox One. Xbox Wireless Display App. Today, Microsoft has released its new and improved Wireless Display app for the Xbox One. Through this, PC's and Android screens can be projected to the Xbox One. The app allows the Xbox to basically act as a Miracast receiver. One of the perks of having a PC running Windows 10 and an Xbox One is you can play the console games on your PC. The benefit is you only have to buy a title once versus buying the PC and console. Fast-forward to today and I learned that Windows 10 can project its screen to an Xbox One AND you can use your Xbox One controller to control it (it's paired on the Xbox side) and play games or run apps. No extra equipment needed. I installed the Xbox Wireless Display App on my Xbox One. Then on my PC, here's what I see upon pressing Win+P. How To Stream Video From Windows 10 PC to XBox One. Let's take it in ascending order of difficulty. But before that, ensure that you check the following pre-integration boxes: Both XBox One console and PC are connected to the same network. Ensure that your XBox One console is powered on. The above pre-integration check boxes apply to all. Its easy to connect the Xbox One to any Windows 10 PC on the same network so your console can be played in different rooms. Sam Machkovech from Ars Technica.
Then, a year later I did the inverse. I played PC games on my big screen using a SteamLink! Although they've been discontinued, they are out there and they work great. This little box lets you play PC games remotely on your large screens. I have a big PC in my office and I wanted to use the big TV in the living room. The game still runs on the PC but the video/audio and controls are all remoted to the Xbox. Plus, SteamLink only works with the Steam app running and is optimized for Steam games. It's a single task box and one more thing to plug into HDMI but it works well.
Fast-forward to today and I learned that Windows 10 can project its screen to an Xbox One AND you can use your Xbox One controller to control it (it's paired on the Xbox side) and play games or run apps. No extra equipment needed.
I installed the Xbox Wireless Display App on my Xbox One. Then on my PC, here's what I see upon pressing Win+P and clicking 'Connect to Wireless Display.'
Once I've duplicated, you can see here I'm writing this blog post wirelessly projected to the Xbox. It just worked. Took 5 min to do this.
If you're tech savvy, you may say, isn't this 'just Miracast' and 'hasn't this always been possible?' Yes and no. What's been updated is the Xbox Wireless Display App that you'll want to install and run on your Xbox. You may have been able to project your PC screen to various sticks and Miracast adapters, but this free app makes your Xbox a receiver for Miracast broadcasts (over wifi or LAN) and most importantly - now you can use your Xbox controller already paired to the Xbox to control the remote PC. You can use that control to play games or switch to mouse control mode with Start+Select and mouse around with your Xbox thumbsticks!
If I hit the menu button I can see how the controllers map to PC controls. No remote keyboard and mouse connected from the Xbox..yet. (and to be clear, no word if that will ever be supported but it'd be cool!)
To make sure you can do this, run DxDiag and save all information into 'DxDiag.txt.' Here's part of mine. There's nothing special about my machine. It's worth pointing out I have no Wifi adapter on this machine and it has an NVidia 1080 video card. Miracast is happening over the Wired LAN (local area network) in my house. This is Miracast over Infrastructure and it's in Windows 10 since version 1703 (March 2017).
When you've connected your PC to my Xbox and are streaming FROM my PC to your Xbox, you'll see this bar at the top of the PC side. There's three optimization settings for Gaming, Working, and Watching Videos. I assume these are balancing crispness/quality with framerate and latency changes.
Now let's take it to the next level. I can run Steam Big Picture and here I am running Batman: Arkham Origins on my PC, but played on and controlled from my Xbox in the other room!
Ok this is amazing. You run 'wireless display' on your Xbox. Then on your PC, just WinKey+P on your PC and connect to wireless display. This is Batman on my Xbox..RUNNING ON MY PC pic.twitter.com/pyxmHLe3fz
— Scott Hanselman (@shanselman) March 14, 2019I like that I don't need the SteamLink. I find that this runs more reliably and more easily than my original set up. I like that I can switch the Xbox controller from controller mode to mouse mode. And most of all I like that this doesn't require any custom setup, extra work, or drivers. It just worked out of the box for me.
Your mileage may vary and I'm trying to figuire out why some people's video card drivers don't allow this and then end up with no 'Connect to a Wireless Display' option in their Win+P menu. If you figure it out, please sound of in the comments.
Give it a try! I hope you enjoy it. I'm having a blast.
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About Scott
Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.
AboutNewsletter
Xbox One controller is the ultimate game controller that you could lay your hands upon to play the most interactive virtual games on your computer. But when you connect the Xbox One controller to your PC and discover that you are not able to play your favourite games with the controller, then it might be disheartening for you.
If you are wondering what could be the reason, then there is a high possibility that the Windows 10 Xbox One controller driver is not installed on your computer. Yes, you read that right!
Usb 3 hard drive. Though drivers automatically install in the Windows PC as soon as the Xbox One controller is connected to it yet at times it may not install on its own. So, this blog is going to help you when you have to get personally involved in installing the Xbox One controller driver for Windows 10.
Highly Recommended Method to Update & Install Xbox One Controller Driver
Sometimes, individuals aren't able to read the whole post because of their hectic schedules. If you are also one of them then here is the ultimate method to perform the Xbox One Controller driver download task in just a matter of moments. So, we want to suggest the experts-recommended solution to update and install the Xbox One Controller driver instantly. Professionals suggest updating Xbox One Controller using Bit Driver Updater if you want to perform this task quite fastly and easily. It does not only update the drivers but also accelerates the performance of your whole system. Get this magnificent tool forthwith, by clicking on the below download tab!
How to Download and Install Xbox One Controller Driver for Windows 10, 8, 7
In the below segment, let us focus on the ways to download, install, and update the Xbox One controller PC driver.
Way 1: Get Microsoft Xbox One Controller Driver Using The Driver CD/DVD
Although an ancient method, yet sometimes it might come as a handy option for downloading and installing the Xbox One controller driver for Windows 7. If you have the driver CD or DVD for the Xbox One controller, then you can utilize the below steps to install it:
- Open the computer's CD drive and insert the Xbox One controller driver CD/DVD in it.
- Launch 'My Computer' on your Windows 7 PC.
- Double-click on the new CD drive to run it for installation. If it fails to launch, then double-click the '.exe extension' file from the CD directory.
- Keep navigating through the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of the Xbox One controller driver for Windows 7.
Way 2: Get Microsoft Xbox One Controller Driver With Windows Update
Another way of installing drivers on your computer is offered by Microsoft itself. So, we will proceed to using a Windows 10 built-in method for downloading the Microsoft Xbox One controller driver.
As Windows constantly checks for the latest available updates of various drivers and Microsoft applications, therefore you can conveniently utilize this method to get the right drivers for your PC. You can follow the below steps for the same:
- You have to first go to the Settings app of your Windows 10 PC.
- In the Settings window, we will find a number of options in front of us from which you have to click on Update & Security.
- Next, tap on Windows Update located on the side panel.
- On the main window, hit the Check for Windows button.
- Wait till the installation process of the Xbox One controller driver gets over and then reboot the computer.
Read Also: Best Game Booster for Windows PC
Way 3: Get Microsoft Xbox One Controller Driver With Bit Driver Updater
Are you looking for a robust, timesaving, and reliable method to download and install Windows 10 Xbox One controller driver?
If so, then get the Bit Driver Updater tool immediately on your computer to help you download and install the Xbox One controller driver to play games on your computer with the controller hassle-free. The important steps for the same have been outlined below:
- Install Bit Driver Updater by clicking the download button.
- Then, hit the Scan button to initiate scanning and detection of missing drivers.
- After scanning is complete, then tap on the Upload button to initiate and complete the auto-installation of Xbox One controller driver for Windows 10.
- Restart the system once to make the installation effective.
Windows 10 Xbox One Connect
Read Also: Top Free Driver Update Program
Accomplished: Installation of Xbox One Controller Driver for Windows 10
Thus, we informed you about the manual as well as automatic methods of downloading and installing the Windows Xbox One controller driver. Going the automatic way has its various advantages but we would still be eager to hear from you which method worked wonders for you.
Xbox Windows App
After installing the Xbox One controller PC driver with the help of the aforementioned methods, you can then enjoy your gaming session. Do follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletters. We also invite you to reach out to us by dropping your comments, suggestions, and queries in the comments box.
