After undertaking what was presumably a herculean effort, Microsoft has lifted the seemingly-arbitrary “Windows 10 only” restriction on its Xbox One wireless controller adapter and released proper Windows 7/8.1 drivers. Dongle fans, rejoice.
You might ask why Microsoft didn’t release Windows 7/8.1 drivers day-and-date with launch, considering it took them almost two years to even get this adapter to market. In response, I would point you to the increasingly annoying near-daily pop-ups now urging me to “UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 10 NOW” before my computer lights on fire/the Earth explodes/I show up to work with no pants/the government kills my family/an old ex-girlfriend calls me up to break up with me a second time/Adam Sandler gets to make another movie.
Relax, Microsoft.
The point is, for $25 you—meaning the hypothetical Windows 7/Windows 8.1 user reading this article—can now experience the joys of a wire-free controller for the first time in almost a decade, given that Microsoft stopped selling the equivalent Xbox 360 adapter quite a long time ago.
No word yet on whether the wireless adapter’s box will continue to be festooned with a conspicuous black bar that says “Windows 10,” though I guess Microsoft at least showed a measure of foresight by not branding the box with “Windows 10 only.” Almost like they knew Windows 7/8.1 support was on the way the whole time.