Hi John,
I am not from Laminar Research; just a flight simmer from downunder.
Unlike all other "shoot-em-up" games and flight sim packages all hardware (controllers etc) used with X-Plane has to be physically configured within X-Plane by you. If your hardware has USB connections then you have a better chance of configuration. Do not use the software that was provided with your hardware. Do not contemplate the configuration through your operating system. There is no other way.
I am not familiar with your controller unit or any other "game pad"
The latest version of X-Plane may recognise your controller. Try it by connecting the controller to your PC then turn your PC on and then start X-Plane. It needs to be performed in this order. If it recognises your unit a picture should appear on your screen of your unit with all the buttons assigned a number. From there you configure your "buttons". If it doesn't recognise your unit you will have difficulty with the configuration as you will need to select and assign the buttons yourself.
However, before you connect anything watch the following video from Michael Brown from XForcePC. Michael operates a business in the USA that builds PCs predominantly for X-Plane. His business is recognised by Laminar Research as the only supplier of PCs suitable for X-Plane within the USA. The video link can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU_TuALAlJk The video "bags" a particular product name. Disregard the product name but watch the video several times to understand the process. The emphasis is to understand the process.
Good luck.
Glenn