PS3 Controller
Sony

Controller support is limited on Windows PCs. While the latest generation of console controllers volition work out of the box with Windows, even last-generation gamepads like the PlayStation 3's DualShock 3 require custom drivers.

A previous version of this article detailed the apply of MotioninJoy to use your Sony PS3 controller as a joystick on your Windows PC. Unfortunately, MotioninJoy was a proprietary piece of software that turned into malware over the years.  Luckily, you don't have to infect your computer, as there is an open-source alternative in ScpToolkit. Don't use MotioninJoy.

How to Install ScpToolkit

ScpToolkit has to alter some system drivers to make the controller work, so it's not the safest install process. Proceed with caution, follow our instructions, and don't click anything you don't sympathise.

Download the latest release of ScpToolkit from the project's Github folio, open up up the setup programme, and agree to the Terms and Atmospheric condition—if you read them, of course. You'll be shown a dialog with a list of install options:

ScpToolkit install screen

You probably don't need the Gamepad Analyzer and Debug Info Collector, just you should install everything else.

The installation process will take a few minutes. You should take this time to find your PS3 controller and plug information technology in with a USB cable. After the utility is washed installing the toolkit, it will ask you to run the driver installer. Click "Run," and y'all'll be shown a listing which should now include your controller.

Initialize Controllers

Click the "Initialize All Connected Devices" push button (don't skip through with next button), let it install, andso click "Adjacent." This will configure the controller to exist recognized as a PS3 controller, and install some drivers.

The next screen is for Bluetooth support, which you may not want because it requires a dedicated Bluetooth dongle to be "sacrificed." Rightly then, in that location'southward a huge "WARNING" label on this screen, considering installing it to a wireless mouse dongle on accident will cause y'all to accept a very bad time.

ScpToolkit Bluetooth support

If you really desire wireless support, y'all'll demand to plug in the sacrificial dongle,brand sure it's the ONLY device in the list, and then click "Initialize All Connected Devices."

Otherwise, feel free to hit "Next" and skip this procedure.

The next stride is installing a virtual Xbox 360 Controller commuter, which volition trick Windows into thinking your PS3 controller is an Xbox 360 controller. This will brand it piece of work for more games.

Install virtual 360 controller driver

To install the driver, click "Install virtual Xbox 360 Controller driver" and click "Next."

After that, ScpToolkit will want to install a Windows Service to handle communication with the controller.

Install Windows Service

Click "Install Windows Service" and click "Next." You lot're now done, and you should exist able to use your PS3 controller in any game that supports Xbox 360 controllers. That's practically every game that supports a controller, so go nuts. Yous can also remap the controller'southward buttons to make it work in other games.

RELATED: How to Remap any Controller to Keyboard Keys on Windows and MacOS