This guide is to show you how to Use PS3 Controller in Windows – (Wired). Works for Windows 7, Vista and XP. Those using their SIXAXIS or Dualshock 3 controller can use this guide. There are FOUR methods to use from. I strongly suggest purchasing a bluetooth dongle because it’s much easier to set up the buttons! I”m not using wired anymore but I’ll test if I have free time.
Note:
- Method A is the first and original method (did not work for me)
- Method B is my preferred method.
- Method C is an improvement of Method A, utilizing PPJoy but not for Dualshock3.
- Method D is the latest and drivers created by a Japanese coder. This should be the BEST method, currently.
Index
Method A
1. Download this archive
2. Install the filter driver (libusb-win32-filter-bin-0.1.10.1.exe or 0.1.12.1 is fine).
3. Vista users, run libusb driver at “XP SP2 Compatibility Mode” and “Run as Administrator”.
4. Unpack ps3sixaxis_en.exe
5. Plug the SIXAXIS/DS3 into your PC.
6. Run ps3sixaxis_en.exe once.
7. Push the PS button on the SIXAXIS once if it doesn’t see it straight away.
- I’ve realised that the libusb-win32 drivers had to be installed in Vista as Administrator and Compatibility Mode. So it should be where I went wrong the last time I’ve tried. It should work for Vista and XP now but I haven’t tried as I’m going wireless now.
Method B
- Method A DID NOT work for me (although it should now) so I used another driver. Here’s the page for the driver:
- Just download this: SixAxisDriver.exe. Works fine for my Dualshock 3. Just plug the controller in via USB and load drivers and Windows will recognize the controller.
- To configure the buttons, maybe try using this program called PPJoy. If to no avail, then try WinSIXAXIS mentioned below.
Method C
- An alternative which I’ve found recently is WinSIXAXIS, it’s worth trying as it saves the trouble of manually installing the drivers and libusb-win32. It also uses PPJOY to map buttons. Download WinSIXAXIS here. I’ve tested it and my notes are down below.
- Yes, this works for wired controller only, for wireless there’s a program called BtSix.
- You can get the latest BtSix here. I have tested with my Bluetooth 2.0 dongle and it works!
- Here’s the guide to Use PS3 Controller in Windows via Wireless Bluetooth!
- I have tested WinSIXAXIS and here’s my notes on it: ( I assume that everyone is using Vista and had ps3sixaxis_en.exe installed first before trying WinSIXAXIS)
- WinSIXAXIS has freezing issues and DOES NOT support Dualshock3 (constant vibration).
- Anyone who have success with WinSIXAXIS please do comment so to let people know if it works.
- To Fix Freezing Issue
- To fix this, you have to remove ps3sixaxis_en.exe completely (and libusb-win32 drivers first).
- Then next step is to ensure total removal of the drivers for the PS3 controller.
- Go to Device Manager and when you plug in your PS3 controller, you will see the “USB Human Interface Device” come up. This should be your PS3 controller.
- To confirm that it is, you have to counter-check by going to “Control Panel > Game Controllers” and see that your “PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller” is there.
- Disable the “USB Human Interface Device” in Device Manager, and in Game Controllers window, your controller should dissapear. Enable and it will reappear again.
- This is to confirm that it is your PS3 Controller you’re messing with. (Yes, stupid but safe than sorry)
- Okay, Confirmed. Now Right-Click and select “Uninstall“.
- We’re almost there. If you have PPJoy installed, please Uninstall PPJoy first.
- Now after clearing everything, we have to create our own .inf driver file
- Download the file here.
- Extract the file and go to “bin” folder, open “inf-wizard.exe“
- Plug in your PS3 controller to PC via usb cable, there will be a usb device added into the list in “inf-wizard.exe”
- Select it, and click Next.
- Change the Manufacturer name to “Sony“
- Change the Device name to “PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller“.
- Press Next, and save the “name.inf” file to the “bin” folder. (there should be a .cat and .inf file created)
- Please make sure that the .inf file is together with “libusb0.dll” and “libusb0.sys”
- Keeping the controller plugged in via usb cable, go to “Control Panel > Device Manager“, select the PS3 Controller from the list of “Human Interface Devices”. It should be “USB Human Interface Device“
- Right-click and choose “Update drivers” and choose “Have disk method“.
- Point to the “bin” folder and installation should proceed.
- Now we’re done installing the drivers for the PS3 Controller.
- Install WinSIXAXIS which comes along with PPJoy and LibUsb-Win32 drivers. Remember Vista users, install LibUsb drivers as Administrator and Compatibility Mode to XP SP2.
- Just cancel Libusb-win32 installation. Navigate to Program Files>WinSIXAXIS>Installer and Run Libusb-win32 drivers.
- AFTER ALL THAT, you can finally use the guide from the Author here.
Method D
- Japanese coder, Tamamy, released Windows Drivers for the Dualshock 3 and supports SixAxis too. It has rumble support too.
- First you need to download the 4 driver files from here (translated version)
ds3drv_1.03 – Normal driver version
ds3drv_dx_1.03.1.14 – DX driver version
SDDriverSetting (english) – utility to tweak some settings including bluetooth
ForceFeedbackDriver – Rumble driver, install Normal or DX version first
TaskTraySwitch – you may need this when using rumble
- After that, plug in your PS3 controller with USB cable and go to Control Panel > Device Manager.
- Extract all the driver files you’ve downloaded.
- Under Human Interface Device, there will be “USB Human Interface Device” . Right-click and choose “update driver software” and select the “Have Disk” method and point to “dualshock3.inf” which you’ve extracted.
- For the ForceFeedback drivers, you have to right-click on the “DUALSHOCK3FF.inf” file and choose “Install”, then when you’re gaming there will be a tray icon to tweak the rumble settings. First menu asks to toggle on/off rumble. Second menu opens a window to tweak strength of rumble for the controller.
- This page might be of interest for you guys as it discusses this method: http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=179397
- Notes: I have tried and Windows recognizes all six-axis and buttons but can’t really play games unlike BtSix, bluetooth method. I think Xpadder will do the job fine but mapping the keys is pain in the arse.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
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Been messing around with a lot of this stuff lately and all it has brought me is pain in all shapes and sizes..
still n o one says the one thing everyone wants to know..
how do you uninstall “fully” ps3 sixaxis_en and libusb?
they are not totally uninstalling when I remove them.
even after doing a search for the files with those names, they still remain somewhat.
My ps3 controller just pulls up now..
and when I try the winsixaxis method my rumble won’t stop.
just keeps rumbling until i try to calibrate it “which is ineffective”
then I exit..
I have spent weeks trying things to no avail..
there are NO EXISTING “STABLE” PS3 CONTROLLER DRIVERS AT ALL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD..
FACT..
do not be surprised if you try this and see your pc fall apart.
Gave me nothing but non stop grief.
and I build pc’s..
@Bishop:
you cant use DS3 with WinSIXAXIS because it doesnt handle the rumble. hence why it rumbles constantly. i had to go back to using my sixaxis that was packaged with the system. luckily they all come with an old school sixaxis anyway.
ive gotten mine to work fine, stable and all. FACT..
Maybe I can find a non rumble ps3 controller.
Still, even using another method my ps3 controller just keeps pulling up.
thats when i use the libusb method with ps3 sixaxis_en.
controller wont stop pulling up..
makes the z rotation axis completely lock upwards.
same thing with gamesake drivers.
is there a non libusb method?
anyone ever had that issue with their ps3 controller pulling up?
even in “game controllers” calibration in “control panel”
it shows my z rotation locked upwards.
this is on XP sp3.
I just can’t seem to fix it.
on several occasions it has knocked out my usb devices and ethernet.
There are issues all over the place with people using libusb win 32 and watching their pc’s fall apart..
not just me.
I wish it worked flawlessly and for everyone..
but it can just as easily thrash your system as it could work.
I just bought this controller..
I’ll try to buy another, maybe it’s hardware related.
I can’t see how, it’s brand new..
I went and bought a non dual shock ps3 controller and it works..
sweetness..
Maybe some kind of issue with the dual shock that affects some systems..
or maybe a hardware failure..
I’m really not sure..
but hardware failure seems extremely unlikely being that the thing is less than a month old and I treat my toys well.
I’m also running it on a pci usb card, just to be safer from conflicts.
Yes, often the culprit is Libusb32 drivers. It can cause all your usb ports to malfunction and stuff but uninstalling will do the trick. I stated that WinSixAxis doesn’t work with Dualshock 3 so can’t do much there Mr.Bishop. The program name suggests itself if you haven’t noticed. I will say this again! Get a bluetooth dongle! saves all the trouble! its very cheap! I’d recommend an ASUS bluetooth dongle.
Just wondering if anyone has gotten PS3 controllers to work on x64?
The Method D worked the easiest for me.
Awesome! Golden eye is epic!
I tried this tweak method A, in the control panel in winxp the controller is detected i am able to see the buttons lit as i push and everything, I’ve tried using the controller on 2 of my games i have on my PC, ‘spider man web of shadows and prototype’ but the controller is not identified as a controller device on both games, is this tweak only good when you playing emulator games, please advice.
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