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How to Use Your Xbox or PS3 Controller on a PC

You can't play your best game with a mouse and keyboard. Follow these simple steps to use your PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 controller on your PC.

March 23, 2012

Back in the day, you needed third party adapters or complicated USB hardware hacks to use the controllers from your game console with your PC. But thanks to a flexible design from Microsoft and some some enterprising hackers working on the PlayStation 3 gamepad, you can now easily use both controllers with your computer. While the Xbox 360 gamepad is extremely easy to set up, the PS3 gamepad is simple, but requires a few extra steps.


Xbox 360
If you have a wired Xbox 360 gamepad, you can just download the driver straight from Microsoft and plug it in. It will show up in the Windows Device Manager in the Control Panel, and you'll be able to use all the buttons, sticks, and pads, just like you would on your Xbox.

If you have the wireless controller, you'll need purchase the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Adapter ($10-$20 online). It's a USB dongle that lets you connect your Xbox 360 controller to your PC using the same wireless protocol the Xbox 360 uses.

PlayStation 3
For PlayStation 3 controllers, you need to use a third-party driver called MotioninJoy. The bad news is that it isn't as polished or integrated as the Xbox 360 controller driver. The good news, though, is that if your PC supports Bluetooth, you can play wirelessly without buying a USB adapter. Here's what you need to know:

First, download and install the MotioninJoy driver. Next, run the installation program and launch the DS3 Tool. Plug the PS3 controller into the USB port with a mini-USB-to-USB cable and click the Driver Manager tab. Depending on whether you have a Sixaxis or Dual Shock 3 controller, one or two devices will be listed under "Hardware Location." Check everything under that section and click "Load Driver." The software will load the driver for the controller, which will require your confirmation (and might warn you that it's an unsigned driver).

Once that's done, go to the Profiles tab to select the type of controller you have (PlayStation 3) and change settings like button layout and vibration. You can remap each button on the controller in the Options link next to the controller name, so you can set it to play however you want.

If you want to use the controller wirelessly, there's one last step: Click on the BluetoothPair tab and click Pair Now. The controller will then pair with your Bluetooth adapter, letting you use it without the USB cable. If you want to go back to using it with your PS3, you'll have to plug it into your system and pair it again.

For another way to play games on your PC with a gamepad, read our review of the .