I'm pretty sure that I'm in the wrong, but I wanted to make sure.

I'm trying to use the wireless SIlver Xbox 360 controller (with the rotating D-Pad) on my PC by plugging it through USB with the Charge & Play kit it comes with. I know that regular 360 controller only use the USB cable to charge its battery, but I was under the assumption that the Silver 360 controller could send data. The first time I plugged in the controller, Windows 7 automatically downloaded drivers for it, so I thought the controller was able to send data to my PC. Maybe it was downloading drivers just so it would be able to charge?

So yea, I quick answer to my problem would be helpful.

You need the wireless receiver, the play and charge kit doesn't send any data, it just charges.

Like Will said, the C&P kit won't help you.

If you do decide to get an adapter, you're kind of locked into buying an official one which includes a controller. I've had terrible experiences with the third party ones that are out there. We're lucky that they even sell the real ones, because they stopped manufacturing them until very recently.

I got a third party one off Dealextreme like three years ago, only issue I had was the USB cable shorting out after a couple years, just soldered on a new cable and it works fine. Although you did need to use modified drivers to get the dongle recognized.

@nintendoeats said:

Like Will said, the C&P kit won't help you.

If you do decide to get an adapter, you're kind of locked into buying an official one which includes a controller. I've had terrible experiences with the third party ones that are out there. We're lucky that they even sell the real ones, because they stopped manufacturing them until very recently.

I got a bootleg one off amazon, the included drivers didn't work but there are built in ones w/ Windows 7, just gotta search under the driver list. Works like a charm.