If you're a tinkerer like me, Windows Server is great for running tools, automation scripts, and even Steam, but if you try to connect an Xbox One controller, you’ll quickly find it doesn’t work out of the box.
Unlike standard Windows versions, Windows Server doesn’t include the necessary drivers. This isn’t surprising since Microsoft strips down Server editions to remove unnecessary clutter, but it’s still a bit of a pain when you just want things to work.
I ran into this issue again while setting up Windows Server 2025. I’ve dealt with it before on Windows Server 2022 and 2019, so I knew I needed to track down the right driver. Microsoft no longer makes it easy to find, so I’m documenting the process here and hosting the working driver to save others the hassle.
Download:
This is a ZIP file containing a proper MSI installer, so you won’t have to manually mess around with drivers unless you really want to.
Once installed, you can check that everything is working by opening the Run box (Win + R), typing joy.cpl, and pressing Enter. Your Xbox controller should appear, and you can test the buttons to make sure everything responds.
Steam runs fine on Windows Server. I’ve had it running on Windows Server 2019, 2022, and now 2025 without any major issues. There’s no reason it wouldn’t, since under the hood, Windows Server is just a stripped-down version of Windows. That said, you might need to tweak a few things, like enabling GPU acceleration and adding missing dependencies.
For me, getting a controller working was the missing piece. I wanted to use my Xbox One controller for some light gaming. Having to manually install the driver was an extra step, but now that it’s sorted, everything runs smoothly.
Now that I’ve documented this, I won’t have to track down the drivers again next time I set up a new server. If you’re in the same boat, this should save you the hassle too.
Unlike standard Windows versions, Windows Server doesn’t include the necessary drivers. This isn’t surprising since Microsoft strips down Server editions to remove unnecessary clutter, but it’s still a bit of a pain when you just want things to work.
I ran into this issue again while setting up Windows Server 2025. I’ve dealt with it before on Windows Server 2022 and 2019, so I knew I needed to track down the right driver. Microsoft no longer makes it easy to find, so I’m documenting the process here and hosting the working driver to save others the hassle.
Download the Xbox One Controller Driver
Rather than digging around the internet, you can download the driver directly from my site:Download:
This is a ZIP file containing a proper MSI installer, so you won’t have to manually mess around with drivers unless you really want to.
Installing the Xbox Controller Driver
The easiest way to get your controller working is to install the MSI package inside the ZIP.- Download the ZIP file from the link above.
- Extract it somewhere accessible.
- Run the MSI installer inside the folder.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- Plug in your Xbox One controller via USB.
- Windows should now recognise the controller automatically.
Once installed, you can check that everything is working by opening the Run box (Win + R), typing joy.cpl, and pressing Enter. Your Xbox controller should appear, and you can test the buttons to make sure everything responds.
Alternative: Manually Installing the Driver
If for some reason the MSI installer doesn’t work, you can install the driver manually:Plug in your Xbox One controller.
- Open Device Manager by pressing Win + R, typing devmgmt.msc, and pressing Enter.
- Find the controller (it may appear as "Unknown Device" under Other Devices).
- Right-click and select "Update driver."
- Choose "Browse my computer for drivers."
- Point it to the extracted ZIP folder and let Windows install the driver.
Steam runs fine on Windows Server. I’ve had it running on Windows Server 2019, 2022, and now 2025 without any major issues. There’s no reason it wouldn’t, since under the hood, Windows Server is just a stripped-down version of Windows. That said, you might need to tweak a few things, like enabling GPU acceleration and adding missing dependencies.
My Windows Server specs:
- HP ProDesk 400 G7 SFF PC
- CPU: Intel I5 10th Gen (10500)
- GPU: Nvidia T600 (4GB VRAM)
- RAM: 32GB DDR4 2800
- HDD: 2TB Sata SSD
For me, getting a controller working was the missing piece. I wanted to use my Xbox One controller for some light gaming. Having to manually install the driver was an extra step, but now that it’s sorted, everything runs smoothly.
Now that I’ve documented this, I won’t have to track down the drivers again next time I set up a new server. If you’re in the same boat, this should save you the hassle too.
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