How to Connect Xbox Controller to Windows 11 Google Cloud Virtual Machine for Gaming?

In recent times, Google Cloud Platform has introduced gaming virtual machines (VMs) to cater to the needs of gamers. However, connecting an Xbox One Series X/S controller directly to a Windows 11 VM can be a challenging task. In this article, we will cover the key concepts and steps to help you connect your Xbox controller to your Windows 11 VM on Google Cloud Platform.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure you have the following prerequisites in place:

• A Google Cloud Platform account.
• A Windows 11 VM instance on Google Cloud Platform.
• An Xbox One Series X/S controller.

Installing the Required Drivers

To connect your Xbox controller to your Windows 11 VM, you need to install the required drivers. You can install them using the following steps:

1. Log in to your Google Cloud Console and start the VM instance.
2. Connect to your VM instance using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
3. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
4. Expand the Bluetooth category and click Add Bluetooth or other device.
5. Select Bluetooth and click Next.
6. Turn on your Xbox controller and put it in pairing mode. Press and hold the Sync button located at the back of the controller until the Xbox button starts flashing.
7. Select the controller from the list that appears and click Next.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Configuring Remote Desktop for Xbox Controller

After installing the drivers, you need to configure Remote Desktop to use your Xbox controller. You can do this by following the steps below:

1. Press Windows + X and select System.
2. Click on Remote Desktop and select Global Options.
3. Go to the Local Resources tab and click on More.
4. Select Input devices and add your Xbox controller.

Connecting to Your VM Instance

Now that you have installed the drivers and configured Remote Desktop, you can connect to your VM instance using your Xbox controller. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Connect to your VM instance using Remote Desktop.
2. Once connected, press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
3. Expand the Input devices category and find your Xbox controller.
4. Right-click on your Xbox controller and select Properties.
5. Go to the Driver tab and note down the Manufacturer and Product ID.

Configuring the Game

Finally, you need to configure the game to use your Xbox controller. The steps to do this vary depending on the game. Generally, you need to go to the game's settings and select the Xbox controller as the input device.

In this article, we covered the steps to connect an Xbox One Series X/S controller to a Windows 11 VM on Google Cloud Platform. We discussed the prerequisites, installing the required drivers, configuring Remote Desktop, and connecting to the VM instance using the Xbox controller.

References

• Google Cloud Gaming for Windows
• Connect to a Remote Desktop Session Host
• Set up your Xbox Wireless Controller for Windows 10