This guide shows you how to Use PS3 Controller in Windows 7, Vista and XP (Wireless Bluetooth). Following up to the guide on using PS3 Controller in Windows, here’s another one to use it via Bluetooth. And now it has vibration support as well! Hope this guide helps! Also, for those who want to copy anything from my guide please do inform me. I hate it when people just claim everything as their own work.
Revision 2.1 (24th August 2009)
- Will be inspecting MotionInJoy and if works well, I might make a guide.
- Cleaned some text and added recommended BT dongles.
Revision 2.0 (30th July 2009)
- Guide updated for Windows 7.
- Images from Windows 7 included (relevant for Vista).
- Notes on TWO controllers and ONE dongle.
- Added link to 64-bit users. It works now.
Index
1. Baby Steps
2. Installing Libusb-win32 filter
3. Installing Bluetooth drivers
4. Installing PPJoy
5. Making it Work
6. Configuring Buttons
7. Use TWO controllers with ONE dongle
8. Users with other Bluetooth devices (i.e. Logitech MX Revolution)
9. 64-bit users
10. End
11. Important Notes
Baby Steps
- First, we need these;
- Bluetooth dongle! duh!
- PS3 Controller (Sixaxis or Dualshock 3)!
- Then, download these files:
- Libusb32 drivers (explanation below): Link | Mirror
- BtSix 1.5c (credits to 89ron) : Link | Mirror
- Microsoft Visual C++ Library (when you get Application error for BtSix): Link
- PPJoy 0.83 (configures buttons): Link | Homepage
- FreeBT driver rel. A3 (allows BtSix to access dongle, Optional): Link
- OK, Here goes!
Installing Libusb-win32 filter
- for XP, stick with v0.1.10.1
- for Vista and Windows 7, stick with v0.1.12.1
Install the Libusb drivers as “Administrator” and Compatibility Mode set to “Windows XP Service Pack 2/3″
Note: If your USB devices start to disappear (usually happen because failure to install in Compatibility mode) or crippled your system devices, then try updating your chipset drivers (which worked for me). Because of the nature of libusb, it sort of takes control over anything related to the USB devices. So it would be best if you had a PS2 keyboard and mouse in case shit happens.
Installing Bluetooth drivers
- This is by far the most problematic step because some people have integrated bluetooth which they use for other purposes. If it doesn’t work read the end of this section.
- Extract the “BtSix1.5c.zip” file to your desktop first.
- Laptop users:
- It works on integrated bluetooth but my advice is to get a BT dongle because you will less likely mess up with the drivers (i.e. works for BtSix but not for your other apps anymore).
- Another solution is to purchase WinDS3 because apparently it can swap drivers easily for you with a click of a button (maybe someone from the WinDS3 team can confirm with me)
- Desktop users:
- Get a good bluetooth dongle, I recommend the one shown in the picture (ASUS brand). I also have a cheap one and works perfect as well. Link to product: Here
- This is a good one which I’ve purchased before but I think it’s sold out:
USB Bluetooth 2.0 Mini-Dongle / Adapter (30-Meter Range) by Pexell - Or these which I’ve hand picked from Amazon Store
- I will choose this one first (CHEAP! and high rating), should work really well for our purpose.
- Next I’ll choose this dongle because i think it has many features and good review.
- Most people who simply solved their issues by purchasing a quality dongle.
- Install BtSix freeBT drivers;
- For new Bluetooth dongle,
- Plug it into the computer and Windows will either ask you for drivers or automatically install them for you.
- Point to the folder location of BtSix’s “Driver XP 32 Bit” folder and choose the .inf file. - For those with existing dongle or integrated bluetooth devices,
- Go to “Device Manager” and find your Bluetooth device.
- Right-click the “Bluetooth device”
- Choose “Update Driver Software”
- Choose “Browse My Computer for Driver Software”
- Choose “Let Me Pick From A List”
- Choose the “Have Disk” option and point to the “BtSix.1.5c\Driver XP 32bit” folder as shown.
- Just press OK and Next to install the drivers. Make sure to choose “Install the drivers anyway option”.
- You will have FreeBT device similar to the pic.
- Still doesn’t work on your laptop etc? You might need to download WinDS3 trial version and then perform a cheap trick by installing it. Your purpose is to make sure the freebt bluetooth drivers are installed into your computer (WinDS3 sort of forces it to install? haha)
Go to top
Installing PPJoy
- Run PPJoy which you’ve downloaded. (Compatibility mode to XP SP3 is preferable)
- Launch “Configure Joysticks” from PPJoy, and add a new virtual controller.
- Windows might ask you to install drivers, in that case you’ll need to look for BtSix’s “Driver XP 32 Bit” folder.
- You can start mapping the buttons to your liking, but feel free to do it later.
- You can close “Configure Joysticks”.
Making it Work
- Make sure you’ve plugged your Bluetooth dongle (directly to PC, preferably not to a hub)
- Plug in your PS3 controller into the PC using the USB cable
- The drivers should install automatically.
- Launch “BtSix.exe” and click “Address“. There should be a hex code for your controller. If not, there’ll be a warning.
- You can now unplug your controller, and press the PS Home button.
- The “Pitch” and “Roll” Bars will be moving based on your controller’s movement.
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Configuring Buttons
- Now its time to configure the controller buttons.
- Choose “Configure Joysticks” from PPJoy and choose “Virtual Controller 1″
- You will have to restart BtSix every time you change the key mappings.
- Some Games for Windows (such as GTA4 and X360 ports) will run the PS3 controller (with key map A below) just like the X360 controller by inserting a .DLL file into the game folder. Here it is: DLL
(A) Setting for Tomb Raider Underworld / Silent Hill Homecoming / Prince of Persia / Mirrors Edge / The Last Remnant
Image Link: PC PPJoy Button Mapping
- Tomb Raider Underworld, Silent Hill Homecoming, Price of Persia and Mirror’s Edge uses the 360 mapping as well and PS3 controller WORKS with the PC version.
- For The Last Remnant, make sure you insert the .DLL files into your “binary” folder (vibration support)! Download here
(B) Setting for Dead Space PC
Image Link: Dead Space PC PPJoy Button Mapping
- Dead Space uses Xbox 360 controller input so the PS3 controller CAN work too.
- You just have to change some settings in PPJoy, see the picture above.
(C) Setting for Devil May Cry 4 / DMC4
Image Link: Devil May Cry 4 PC PPjoy Button Mapping
- I used 4 axis, 13 buttons, 1 POV hats.
(D) Settings for and FEAR 2: Project Origin
- You have to use Xpadder for this to work. Get it here.
- Using this PPJoy config as shown here: PC PPJoy Button Mapping
- Download these files: xpadder profile and xpaddercontroller
- Place the files into the Xpadder folder and run the game.
- Test and it should work! (xpadder controller file may not work for your computer, you can create one yourself)
References
PPJoy configurations
Default configurations which helped me guide through which button is which.
Analog
0 – left stick x axis
1 – left stick y axis
2 – right stick x axis
3 – UNKNOWN
4 – right stick y axis
5 – tilt x axis (left negative, right positive)
6 – tilt y axis (forward negative, backword positive)
7 – square
8 – x
9 – circle
10- triangle
11- R1
12- L1
13- R2
14- L2
15- Dpad left
16- Dpad down
17- Dpad right
18- Dpad upDigital
0 – square
1 – x
2 – circle
3 – triangle
4 – R1
5 – L1
6 – R2
7 – L2
8 – Dpad left
9 – Dpad down
10- Dpad right
11- Dpad up
12- start
13- right stick button
14- left stick button
15- select
16- PS3 home button
- Remember, you have to restart BtSix again (sometimes removing BT dongle and controller and plugging them into the computer again) so that the changes take into effect. Go to top
Using TWO controller with ONE dongle
- Apparently you can have two controller working with one bluetooth dongle but you must use the old BtSix.0.5.0.5b version here.
- Another solutions is to purchase WinDS3 as the program supports 2 controller with one bluetooth dongle. Go to top
For people with other Bluetooth devices (i.e. Logitech MX Revolution)
- My brother had issues with Libusb-win32 and caused a bluescreen (BSOD) everytime he shuts down or restart.
– Assuming libusb32 v0.1.12.1 is installed, the problem can be fixed by deleting the libusb0.sys and libusb.dll from system32 and system32/driver folder. Then without uninstalling v0.1.12.1, we install libusb32 v0.1.10.1 on top of it.
– It should not BSOD now.
– Recently my brother just reinstalled windows and according to him SetPoint version also affects the BSOD. Newer version of Setpoint seems to have fixed conflicts with libusb32 and he does not BSOD even with v0.1.12.1 is installed. Go to top
64-bit users
- I have discovered a guide that says it’ll work on 64-bit computers. I have not tried the method myself but please tell me if they do work.
– Here’s the link: How to use a Playstation 3 Controller in 64 bit Windows 7 and Vista
- Libusb win64: Link
– Vista64 needs signed drivers from Microsoft, here’s a way to bypass them (few methods to try at your own risk!):
– PPJoy is only working for Vista 32 at the moment.
– In conclusion, you can’t use BtSix for Vista64 yet.
END
Hope you like the guide! Support me by donating! Go to top
Important Notes
- The controller can only be paired with either the PC or the PS3. So you have to turn OFF your nearby PS3 first.
- Once paired to the PC you can switch on the PS3. It’s not much of a hassle, really.
- I’ve also successfully used my Dualshock 3 to control windows with the help ofXpadder.
Other help:
- I got most of my info searching through forums and other guides.
- Here are some of the good ones: Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3
Problems installing drivers:
- For those who can’t get Bluetooth drivers to install on their system, I recommend installing WinDS3 (Buy if you like it!!) (its trial but it helps install the drivers for you)
- After that, use the above methods to map the buttons. (thanks Jay for the tip!)
{ 197 comments… read them below or add one }
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Is there a sure fire way to get more then 2 ps3 controllers working over bluetooth? If there is can you provide a link thanks.
I updated my built in laptop bluetooth using btsix 1.5. how can i reinstall
my original driver? i can’t see bluetooth in the device manager
okay i got it to work on x64 vista and configured it to make it like an xbox 360 the ps button is like the X button on 360 and it detect it like a ps3 button i bought 4 controllers with a single bluetooth and they run perfectly the only thing im working on is the moving sensor is a quite difficult scripting i cant do it alone still searching for that script on the world wide web or i got to make it with a few friends i would spend weeks before getting it to work perfectly…..
Nah just kidding i aint nothing u got rick rolled hehehe
hi, ive done everything as explained but when i disconnect the usb and press ps home button nothing happens, cant configure any buttons or anything.
Any ideas mate ?
Hm, I think you have to try installing libusb-win32 drivers again properly. Seems to me it didn’t install correctly. If the v.12 doesnt work try the .10 but i cannot guarantee it’ll work. Btw, tried the winds3 trick?
Man, this is disappointing. I do everything here step-by-step and at the end of the entire thing btsix crashes on me whenever I click the address button to pair the PS3 controller (Sixaxis with my laptop). Lovely guide though, I appreciate the work you've put into it.
Uninstalling everything, rebooting the computer and redoing the entire process again doesn't work either. Btsix just crashes after the popup with the master address appears.
Have the exact same problem too.
Did you managed to solve it?
Iam using win7 on a Macook Pro
No…. unfortunately, I have resorted to using a wired conection with my SixAxis Controller :\
Windows Vista, Service Pack 2
I NEED HELP! I installed the driver on my Lenovo T61 laptop (WinVista 32 bit) and it worked. HOWEVER, now the only Bluetooth device that works is the DualShock 3 controller, nothing else can be found. Also, the Bluetooth adapter is no longer listed in device manager (I am using the integrated Bluetooth adapter). At this point, i dont care if this works, as long as i can use my Bluetooth devices again.a
This is normal – it happened to be me too. What you should do if you want to uninstall the Btsix software is to look under the "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" and find the "FreeBT USB Driver" device. Right click on it and uninstall it, then your Bluetooth adapter will reappear in your device manager.
If only this entire process worked for me like it did for you. Btsix crashes every single time I click the "Address" button.
hope you got my reply. If not here’s it again. the drivers need to be uninstalled first then find your BT drivers for lenovo and reinstall them. you might need to restart. follow what paul said!
I have a Trendnet Bluetooth 2.0 Dongle (I got it for free) model code: tbw-101ub (class II), and while it gets recognized by BTsix and I supposedly can pair it with my DS3, once I disconnect the usb cord and press the PS button (Is that the one I'm supposed to press?) nothing happens. No flashing lights on the DS3, nor any response in the Game Controllers Control Panel.
Any Ideas? I want to try to get this to work before I spend $30 on an internal hp bluetooth module for my laptop (as the only bluetooth device i want to use is the DS3, so losing connectivity for other devices is no big deal), and the whole point of getting the wireless working is so i can free up the only two usb ports on this thing for other devices.
thank you for any help you can give.
LOL Oh yeah I'm running Windows XP 32bit SP3 lol
hope you got my reply. If not here’s it again. You probably need to try installing the drivers again. Did u try the software WinDS3 in trial mode. It might fix the problem.
WinDS3 just closes upon startup, unfortunately :(
BtSix is now erroneously registers my DS3 as connected (It says "Sixaxis Connected" in the titlebar) once I unplug the DS3, but there is no response from the DS3, not even a light, nor is there any response in any games or anything. I'd like to know what this MAC address is that it is reading, as I don't believe it is the controller.
definitely possible it can be another device. Maybe you have other usb or BT device plugged in then make sure it’s removed first. Also, it is possible to try libusb v0.1.12.1 for XP as I’ve done it before. I can’t guarantee it works for you.
i think it's actually reading itself. since when i connect it to the other USB port, it won't register that anything is connected.
I'd like to know, though, if i connect the DS3 to the usb, is it supposed to be read in btsix without even being unplugged? Sinc, whether plugged or not, there is no data being read in btsix.
You must unplug and press the PS Home button to make sure it can be read. Since you said whether plugged or not no data is read means the drivers might not have installed properly. According to you WinDS3 didnt install right so means something is not right with driver installation as well. What I suspect is libusb drivers need to be installed again. (prolly try the v0.1.12.1, i cant guarantee anything or mess up your computer). Of course it'll be great if you can try install on a newly formatted comp, just a suggestion.
It can be normal to not have a red light after pressing PS Home button, i sometimes encounter that too but it works for me. The pitch and roll will have bars moving (reading sixaxis movement).
Check Control Panel > Game controllers and see if the buttons register anything, or if there's even a controller installed. You might need to do installation again. If not, the bluetooth dongle might not be compatible.
Yeah I think it's the dongle.
I'm gonna try out one of the ones you suggested in your list.
Thank you very much for your help LOL
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