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- Cheap Ps3 Controllers Wireless
- Ag Ps3 Wireless Controller Driver Windows 7
- Ps3 Wireless Controller How To Use
The mouse and keyboard are the standard input devices for controlling PC games. However, the experience of some games is even better if we use a gamepad. Should we already own a PlayStation console, we can use its DualShock controller on Windows. Read below how to connect your PS3 or PS4 controller on PC.
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Table of Contents
Gamepads
The gamepads or joypads are the primary input devices for controlling video games on gaming consoles, like PlayStation or Xbox.
On personal computers, we can practically play all games with a keyboard and a mouse.
But, controlling specific genres of video games with a gamepad is much easier than by keyboard and mouse. A joypad controller offers great flexibility when we play platform, sport, racing, and fighting games.
In case we own the PlayStation 3 or 4 consoles, we can use the PS3 or PS4 controller on PC. This connection becomes fully operational with a third-party application.
The program supports the connection of PS3 and PS4 controller on PC with Windows Vista/7/8.x/10, in 32-bit and 64-bit architectures.
On the other hand, if we have the Xbox we do not need the above application for the Xbox controllers.
Xbox controllers
So, if we have the Xbox console and want to use its controller on the computer, the connection is officially supported by Microsoft.
To use the wired Xbox 360 controller on Windows, we have to connect the controller to the USB port and install the drivers.
But if we want to use the wireless Xbox 360 controller, we need the device Xbox 360 wireless gaming receiver.
First, we install the device on Windows, and then we connect the wireless controller to the receiver.
The gamepad of the newest member of Microsoft’s gaming system is the Xbox One controller.
We can achieve a wired connection on Windows via USB to micro-USB cable, and a wireless connection using the Xbox wireless adapter.
In June 2016, Microsoft released a new Xbox One version, the Xbox One S, where the controllers have built-in Bluetooth support for the wireless connection on Windows 10.
PlayStation controllers
While the Xbox gamepads have official support, the same does not apply to the DualShock controllers.
The DualShock 3 controller was never compatible to work on Windows with official drivers from Sony.
A partial exception is the DualShock 4. We can connect the PS4 controller on PC via the Sony wireless adapter that supports the services of Remote Play and PlayStation Now.
Moreover, in December 2016 Valve Corporation announced the native support of DualShock 4 controller on the Steam platform.
However, if we want to use the DualShock 4 gamepad on games that run outside the above services, we may face compatibility issues.
Fortunately, a developer team created an application that supports the connection of PS3 and PS4 controller on PC.
Also note that the connection of DS4 on Windows using the above program is functional without the need for the Sony wireless adapter.
ScpToolkit application
ScpToolkit helps us to use the PS3 and PS4 controller on PC, making them act like an Xbox controller.
For the wired connection, we use the USB to mini-USB cable to connect the DS3 gamepad on Windows, and the USB to micro-USB cable for the DS4 joypad.
For the wireless connection via Bluetooth, we will need a dedicated USB Bluetooth dongle. The reason we need a Bluetooth adapter is that the application will overwrite the dongle’s official driver with its own.
As a result, the Bluetooth adapter will only host the wireless communication between the controllers and the ScpToolkit program.
The wireless connection of the DS3 controller requires a compatible USB Bluetooth v2.0 EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) adapter. While for the DS4 gamepad the minimum supported Bluetooth version is the 2.1.
ScpToolkit installation
At first, we have to go to the developer’s repository (Nefarius) on GitHub to download the ScpToolkit application.
Nefarius has marked the ScpToolkit version 1.6.238.16010 as the latest stable, but we will install the latest Beta version.
The reason we use the most recent Beta release is that it contains significant bug fixes. Thus, we download the ScpToolkit_Setup.exe file and start the installation with administrative rights.
This application needs some software packages installed on our computer to run properly. These are the Microsoft.NET Framework 4.5, the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010/2013/2015 Redistributable Packages, and the DirectX Runtime.
ScpToolkit will scan our system to find the prerequisite software. If it is not yet on our computer, the program will prompt us to download it.
Then, we click “Next,” and we install all the necessary packages from the Microsoft servers.
Once the installation finishes, the main installer of the application will appear.
From the menu, we deselect the “Testing & Troubleshooting” feature because we do not need it. The same goes for the “Profile Manager,” as it is an unstable component at the moment. Afterwards, we proceed by selecting “Install.”
Now, we have to press the big ugly green button “Run Driver Installer.”
Installation of PS3 and PS4 controller on PC
The new window prompts us to install the official Xbox 360 driver if we have Windows Vista or Windows 7 on our computer.
Those users that run Windows 8.x/10 on their system should skip this step because Microsoft has incorporated the Xbox driver into the above Windows versions.
The next step is to plug the DualShock controller via the USB cable on our computer.
If we plug the PS3 gamepad, for example, it will appear as an uninitialized DualShock controller. On the left side of the window, we have to click the “Initialize all connected devices” button.
Once the above process is complete, the gamepad will show up in the Initialized DualShock Controllers section.
At this point, we perform the same procedure to install the PS4 controller on PC.
The next installation screen deals with the preparation of the wireless Bluetooth connection. If we are not interested, we just skip this step by clicking “Next.”
On the other hand, if we have the Bluetooth adapter, it is time to connect it to the USB port.
In this guide, we used the Konig USB Bluetooth v4.0 adapter which supports both controllers.
Cheap Ps3 Controllers Wireless
The process is identical to the installation of the DualShock controllers. Once we plug in the adapter and the application recognizes it, we click on the “Initialize all connected devices” button…
...and the ScpToolkit will replace the Bluetooth driver with its own.
Now, we have to install the virtual Xbox 360 emulator driver.
This driver will modify Microsoft’s official Xbox 360 driver that we have already on our system.
We just select the installation button on the left, and then we proceed with “Next.”
At this point, we have reached the final stage. The last thing we need is to install a Windows service so that all the above processes can work together.
In this window, we select the “Install Windows Service” button, and we finish the installation.
Now both PlayStation controllers are functional on Windows and will act as Xbox controllers.
Ag Ps3 Wireless Controller Driver Windows 7
We can play all the modern PC games that support gamepads with those DualShock controllers.
ScpToolkit’s desktop shortcuts
When the installation is complete, the application creates four desktop shortcuts.
We can double-click the ScpToolkit Updater shortcut from time to time to update the program.
In the ScpToolkit Monitor shortcut, we have the ability to monitor both the wired connection of the controllers…
...and the wireless communication as well.
Note that if we wish to turn on the DualShock controllers via the Bluetooth connection, we select the PS button.
To switch off the gamepads, we press and hold the combination L1-R1-PS.
If we want to add another PS3 or PS4 controller on PC or to set up a Bluetooth adapter, we choose the ScpToolkit Driver Installer shortcut.
There, we will perform again the same steps to install the controller or the Bluetooth dongle as described above.
In the last shortcut, we will find the ScpToolkit Settings Manager which is a global configuration panel. In that panel, we can manage various settings for both controllers and for the application itself.
Finally, if we want to activate the program’s tray notifications, we type the word “tray” in the Windows search bar.
From the menu, we click on the “ScpToolkit Tray Notifications” option.
Do you use your PS3 or PS4 controller on PC?
If you have encountered any problems during the installation, leave a comment below. Otherwise, have fun.
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The Playstation 3's controller, the Dualshock 3, isn't the easiest pad to get working on the PC. So why bother when it's so much easier to use an Xbox controller on PC, or you have a much newer Dualshock 4 sitting around? The Dualshock 3 has something the best PC controllers don't have: pressure-sensitive analog face buttons. That makes the Dualshock 3 the best choice for emulating PS2 games with PCSX2—Metal Gear Solid 3, for example, just doesn't play right without those analog buttons. And if you simply prefer the feel of Sony's older controllers over the redesigned Dualshock 4, this is the perfect controller for playing those classic Final Fantasy games on Steam.
Here's the best way to get your PS3 controller working on PC using an open source tool called ScpToolkit.
Ps3 Wireless Controller How To Use
Looking for advice on using a different controller? Here's how to use a PS4 controller on PC, and here's how to use a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller on PC.
What you need
Hardware
- Dualshock 3 and mini-USB cable
- Optional: Bluetooth dongle
Software
- Xbox 360 controller driver (only needs to be installed on Windows 7)
Installation guide
1. Download the software linked above, and start by installing the four Microsoft packages. If you're on a Windows 7 PC, you'll also need to install the Xbox 360 controller driver. On Windows 8 and 10, it's already built in!
2. Important step: plug your Dualshock 3 into your PC with a mini-USB cable. Now we can start making it work.
Bluetooth installation note: if you also want to be able to use the controller wirelessly, make sure you have a Bluetooth dongle plugged in or your motherboard's Bluetooth enabled. ScpToolkit notes you need a Bluetooth 2.0 or higher dongle that supports Enhanced Data Rate (EDR).
3. Download ScpToolkit and run the installer. After accepting the terms and choosing your install location, you'll get a menu of all the options to install, as in the screenshot above. I recommend leaving this to the default. Click Install to begin the installation.
Bluetooth installation note: Make sure the ScpToolkit Bluetooth Pair Utility option is ticked.
4. After about 30 seconds, ScpToolkit will be installed, and you'll see this screen, with a big green button that says Run Driver Installer. Since this is a fresh install, that's what we want to do. Click the button.
5. This screen may look intimidating, but it's still pretty simple! Check the boxes for the drivers you want to install. In this case, we want to make sure Install Dualshock 3 driver is checked (it should be by default). Now click the arrow next to 'Choose Dualshock 3 controllers to install' to see a dropdown list of USB devices attached to your computer. Find the PlayStation 3 controller in the list and check it.
Bluetooth installation note: Make sure the 'Install Bluetooth driver' box is checked. Like you did with the Dualshock 3, click the arrow next to 'Choose Bluetooth dongles to install' and find your Bluetooth device in the list. Check it.
Note: If you're on Windows Vista, check the box for 'Force Driver Installation.' Otherwise, leave it unchecked. Click Install.
6. Watch the SCP Toolkit run through its installation process. You'll see lots of pop-ups on the side of your screen as it detects your hardware. Scroll to the bottom of the log and you should hopefully see 'Dualshock 3 USB Driver installed' (and 'Bluetooth Driver installed' if you chose to), signifying a successful installation. If all went well, click Exit.
7. Now that it's installed, you'll see ScpToolkit as an icon in your system tray. Look in your Start Menu for ScpToolkit Settings Manager. Here you can change some settings like disabling rumble, adjusting analog stick deadzones, and more. Most of these settings you should be able to leave alone.
ScpToolkit starts up with Windows by default, and also plays some sound effects that you might find obnoxious. To disable them, click the Sound settings tab and uncheck 'Enable notification sounds.'
PCSX2 emulator note: The PCSX2 settings tab allows you to patch the emulator's LilyPad controller plugin to support the pressure sensitive buttons. If you plan to use your PS3 controller with the emulator, click Browse to navigate to your PCSX2 installation folder, then click Enable to install the patch. Voila!
Using your Playstation 3 controller
Now that it's installed, the Dualshock 3 should behave like an Xbox 360 controller. Any game with native XInput support—pretty much any modern PC game that supports gamepads—should recognize it without a hitch. Unfortunately, this means that it won't register as a PlayStation controller to the few games that have native DualShock 4 support, so you won't get the correct Square/Cross/Triangle/Circle button icons by default. Some games let you manually choose your button icons, though. Look for that in game settings!
If you ran into issues installing ScpToolkit or using the controller, you can try posting in the official thread at the PCSX2 forums, but you may not get an answer.
How to connect your PS3 controller via Bluetooth
If you're not about that wired business, and followed all the Bluetooth installation steps above, you should be able to simply unplug the controller, and after a couple seconds it will sync via Bluetooth. You'll get a notification in the system tray when it does. Cool!
This works after a reboot, too. If you allow ScpToolkit to start with Windows, you should simply be able to plug in your PS3 controller again and it'll instantly be recognized. Once the LED is on, unplug the controller, and it'll once again be synced via Bluetooth.
If you have issues with Bluetooth, it could be that your dongle isn't supported. You may also find help in ScpToolkit's Github discussions. Bluetooth can be finicky, and any problem you run into could be due to hardware, or your particular version of Windows, or drivers… in other words, good luck.
Not a controller person? Here's a round-up of the best gaming keyboards, and best gaming mouse.