Xbox – Does the Xbox 360 wireless controller for Windows work with the Xbox 360

There is no way. Microsoft made it so the Play and Charge Kit only receives power. I believe there is some other data that is sent to the controller as well that someone decoded but there is no data sent to the computer from the controller. I will try to dig up a link.

On the other hand, you could just buy a wired controller, those are about as expensive as the wireless receiver, work on both PC and Xbox/Xbox360, and you'd have an extra controller for a friend.

If you're playing a 'Games for Windows Live' enabled game, you should be able to shut it off through the fancy Windows Live menu that appears get when you press and hold the Guide button (the big green X in the center).

If you're not playing a Windows Live, enabled game, it looks like you're out of luck; the only way to shut off your controller short of popping the batteries out is to leave it inactive for a period of time (reports online vary; anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes seems to cover the range).

However, you're not the only one who has been annoyed by this, it seems. I found a free utility for Windows that appears to give you some extra functionality when you press and hold the Guide button, and it allows you to shut off your controller through a brand new dialog box.

Check it out: Xbox 360 Controller Manager

Note: The english description is below the Hungarian one on the linked website.