Windows 8 supports a variety of generic controllers for immediate use. You can also set up the Xbox 360 controller for use in a variety of modern games. If you have a PlayStation 3 or PlayStation 4 controller, you can also use it in Windows 8 with the help of some third-party devices.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Xbox 360 Controller Controller
Step 1. Download the Xbox 360 Controller program for Windows 7
Visit the Xbox 360 Controller download page and click the "Select an operating system" menu. Download the Windows 7 software for your version of Windows 8 (32-bit or 64-bit). If you don't know what version of Windows you are using, press Win+Pause and check the "System type" entry. Don't worry even if the program is designed for Windows 7.
After you select the version and language, click the " Download " button then select " Save"
Step 2. Right-click the software you just downloaded and select "Properties"
A new window will open.
Step 3. Click the "Compatibility" tab then set program compatibility for Windows 7
This will allow you to install the program:
- Check the "Run this program in compatibility mode for" box.
- In the drop-down menu, select "Windows 7".
- Select "Apply" then press "OK".
Step 4. Run the installer
After making the compatibility settings, run the installer and follow the instructions given to install this Xbox 360 Controller program. When finished, you will be prompted to restart the computer.
Step 5. Plug in your Xbox 360 controller
Connect the controller to a USB port on the computer. Avoid using USB hubs, as they may not provide enough power to the controller. Windows will automatically recognize the controller and load the driver you just installed.
Step 6. Test your controller
The controller can be used immediately after you connect it to the computer. You can test it before playing the game:
- Go to the Start screen and type in "joy.cpl". From the list of displayed results, select " joy.cpl ".
- Select your Xbox 360 controller then select "Properties".
- Press the buttons and move the joystick to see if the indicator light on the screen lights up.
Step 7. Prepare the game to use the controller
The process of setting up a game for your controller to work will vary depending on the game you're playing. Some games will automatically recognize the controller and you can start using it right away without having to do anything. Other games require you to select a controller from the Options or Settings menu. There are also games that don't support controllers at all.
If you're using Steam, you can see which games support controllers on the game's Store page
Method 2 of 4: PlayStation 3 controller
Step 1. Download the drivers for the Xbox 360 controller for Windows 7 from the Microsoft site
Even if your computer is running Windows 8, you will be using drivers for Windows 7. You can download these drivers on the Microsoft site.
If you don't know what version of Windows you have, whether it's 32-bit or 64-bit, press Win+Pause and look for the "System type" entry
Step 2. Run the installer to install the driver
Then the required Xbox 360 drivers will be installed on the computer. Just follow the given instructions and leave the settings at default.
Step 3. Plug the PS3 controller into the computer via USB
Maybe Windows will install some drivers when you plug in the device for the first time. You should also unplug your PS3 controller if the device is closed, as the controller will automatically turn on when plugged into the computer.
If you want to use a Bluetooth dongle to use the controller wirelessly, plug in the dongle as well and let the computer install the necessary drivers
Step 4. Download the latest XInput Wrapper driver
This you can get in this PCSX2 forum thread. Click the "Download latest version here" link to download the 7z file.
Step 5. Download and install 7-Zip
This is a free software which is used to extract the files you just downloaded. Get 7-Zip at 7-zip.org. Run the installer and follow the given instructions to install 7-Zip.
Step 6. Right-click the 7z file you just downloaded and select " 7-Zip " → " Extract Here"
A new directory containing the XInput Wrapper files will be created.
Step 7. Go to the "ScpServer" directory then open the "bin" directory
It contains several files and directories.
Step 8. Run "ScpDriver.exe" then click the Install button
The required drivers will be installed so that your PS3 controller is recognized as an Xbox 360 controller.
Step 9. Restart (reboot) the computer and run "ScpDriver.exe"
Now your PS3 controller will be recognized as an Xbox 360 controller by the games you are playing.
As long as ScpDriver.exe keeps running, you can disconnect the USB cable, and your PS3 controller will pair with the USB Bluetooth dongle
Step 10. Play the game using the controller
As long as the game you're playing supports an Xbox 360 controller, you can still use a PS3 controller. Make sure you have selected the controller in the Options or Settings menu of the game you are playing.
Method 3 of 4: PlayStation 4 controller
Step 1. Download DS4Windows
You can use this free utility to quickly connect a PS4 controller to Windows 8. You can even use the touchpad as a mouse. You can get DS4Windows at ds4windows.com.
Step 2. Extract the program as a ZIP file
The ZIP file will contain the "DS4Windows" and "DS4Updater" programs. Extract both files to an easily accessible location.
Step 3. Run the "DS4Windows" file
The installation process will begin. Select the desired location to save your profile, which will be saved by default in the Program Files directory.
Step 4. Click the "Install DS4 driver" button
The required DS4 drivers will be installed, which should only take a minute. You can skip Step 2 in the DS4Windows window since you are using Windows 8. But if you run into problems later, go back to this step and try running it.
If you can't find this window, click " Controller/Driver Setup"
Step 5. Plug the PS4 controller into the computer
Make sure you plug it into one of the USB ports on your computer. The controller cannot get enough power if it is plugged in via a USB hub.
Step 6. Set up your profile
The controller will be mapped by default to match the Xbox 360 controller. Use the Profiles tab to edit the PS4 controller to your liking.
The "Other" section of the Profiles tab allows you to customize touchpad settings in Windows
Step 7. Test your controller in the game
Play games that support the Xbox 360 controller. The PS4 controller will work just like when you used an Xbox 360 controller.
Some games support PS4 controllers without having to install DS4Windows. If this is the case, you could have multiple inputs when using DS4Windows. Right-click DS4Windows in the System Tray and select "Hide DS4Windows" when this happens
Method 4 of 4: Generic USB Controller
Step 1. Install any included drivers (if available)
If your controller comes with a disc containing the drivers, insert the disc before you plug in the controller. Installing the driver first can prevent errors from occurring in Windows when you set up the controller. Not all controllers come with discs, and Windows will automatically install drivers for those controllers.
Refer to your controller's manual for specific installation instructions. Some controllers may have specific instructions that you must follow
Step 2. Plug the controller into the computer
Windows 8 will install drivers for generic USB controllers if you didn't install anything in the previous step. This will be done automatically.
Step 3. Open the Game Controllers menu
Go to the Start screen and type in "joy.cpl". Select " joy.cpl " from the displayed search results.
Step 4. Select your controller then click "Properties" button
This you can use to test the controller and assign buttons to execute various commands. Click the " Calibrate " button to test all its functions. Now you can use a generic USB controller in games that support it.
