Computer joysticks, although not as popular as in past years, are still quite widely used for a variety of games and applications. Joysticks are great for some games, such as some first-person shooter games and flight simulators, where it is not very convenient to use a keyboard and mouse for normal gameplay. However, the mechanical parts of the joystick tend to wear out over time and its center position may shift. This is expressed in the fact that during the game, if, for example, you play a flight simulator, the plane constantly moves in one direction, even if you do not touch the joystick. In addition to all this, users have reported problems adapting old joysticks to Microsoft Windows 7. Calibrating the joystick will help establish a new center position and improve the game.

So, to configure the joystick in the Windows 7 operating system, you will need to do the following:

STEP 1.

Make sure the joystick is properly connected to your computer and turned on (if wireless).

STEP 2.

Open the Windows Control Panel. To do this, click "Start" (1 ), then go to the section "Control Panel" (2 ).

Note. The path to the controls may vary depending on how your version of Windows is configured. However, "Control Panel" can usually be found in the section "My computer".

STEP 3.

Click on the tab "Devices and Printers" (1 ).

STEP 4.

Left-click once on the joystick icon ( 1 ). Below in the window ( 2 ) its model and category should be displayed "Gaming Devices".

If your joystick does not appear, make sure it is connected correctly and the USB connector is working on your computer. If there are free USB connectors, try connecting to another one.

STEP 5.

Right-click the joystick image once and select tab "Game Controller Settings".

STEP 6.

In the window that appears "Gaming Devices", press the button "Properties", and then in the window that appears, tab "Options".

STEP 7.

Follow the on-screen device calibration wizard instructions.

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Not all computer games, especially those ported from consoles, are convenient to use with a keyboard and mouse. For this reason, as well as for some others, it may be necessary to connect and configure a gamepad on your PC.

If you wish, you can connect your computer with literally any modern gamepad that has a suitable USB plug. Devices with other connectors may also be connected, but in this case the process deserves a separate article.

Note: A gamepad and a joystick are two completely different types of controllers; they differ in control methods and appearance. You can find out more about this on the Internet; just look at their images.

Option 1: DualShock 3 from PS3

The PlayStation 3 gamepad supports Windows by default, requiring only downloading and installing special drivers. We discussed the process of connecting this type of controller and computer in the corresponding article on the site.

Option 2: DualShock 4 from PS4

The gamepad from PlayStation 4 consoles can be connected in several ways, depending on the capabilities of your computer and personal preferences.

Note: Without installing special drivers, only basic functions are usually available.

Wired connection

Wireless connection

Installing drivers

In some cases, especially for wireless connections, gamepad drivers must be installed manually. You can download the software required for operation from the link we provide.

1. By clicking on the button "Download Now", upload the file "DS4Windows".



2. Unpack the contents of the archive to any convenient location.



3. Run from the selected folder "DS4Windows".



4. In the initial window, select one of the options for saving files with program settings.



5. Go to the tab "Settings" and click on the link "Controller/Driver Setup".



6. Click the button "Install the DS4 Driver" to begin installing software for the device.



7. You will need to manually confirm the installation of new software.



8. After the inscription appears "Install Complete", press the button "Finish".



9. This program allows you not only to install drivers for the DualShock 4, but also to configure the button assignments.

We hope you were able to connect and configure the PlayStation 4 gamepad.

Option 3: Xbox 360 and One

As with the PlayStation, gamepads from the Xbox 360 and One consoles are fully compatible with the Windows operating system and can be used as a replacement for a mouse and keyboard in computer games. Moreover, the connection process itself directly depends on the type of controller.

Wired connection

If you need to connect a wired controller, the required steps are to connect the USB plug to the corresponding connector. However, you may need to not only connect, but also install drivers.

After following the described steps, you can test your device in any suitable game.

Wireless connection

In addition to using a USB cable, the Xbox One gamepad can be connected to a computer wirelessly. However, in addition to the device itself, you will need a special Xbox One adapter for Windows.

During the connection process, the indicators on the gamepad and adapter should blink. Once successfully connected, they will remain lit continuously.

Option 4: Other models

In addition to the varieties discussed above, there are also controllers that are not directly related to consoles. You can connect the joystick using the same instructions above.

It is best to purchase a gamepad with simultaneous support "DirectInput" And "XInput". This will allow you to use the device in many games, while having the ability to customize the buttons.

In the vast majority of cases, installation of additional software is not required. Otherwise, it is enough to install the driver from the manufacturer’s official website or the included disk.

To avoid difficulties with gamepad support in games and the incorrect operation of some buttons, you can use the x360ce program. This software will allow you to manually change the layout of the paddle and improve compatibility with games.

In addition, this software allows you to check the functionality of the connected gamepad without launching suitable applications.

If you encounter any difficulties or questions during the connection stage, please contact us in the comments.

Even though gaming PCs are more popular than gaming consoles, there are those who dream of buying an Xbox or PS4. But not everyone has enough money to purchase this device. And to replace the game console, the user buys a joystick and decides to connect it to the computer. And here the question arises: how to set up a joystick on a PC?

Difference

Before moving on to the analysis of this issue, it is worth deciding. Some believe that this is a classic manipulator from a gaming console. In fact, this is still the same data input device on a PC, but it looks a little different. If we translate this word from English, we get “aircraft control stick.”

Now it has become clearer what kind of device this is. The joystick is a lever that swings in two planes. But this option is less often used in games. Most often a joystick is called a gamepad. But this does not change the settings. The process is the same for both devices.

Gamepad

This device is more familiar to the modern user. But for him, the question of how to set up a joystick on a PC for all games remains relevant. This game controller looks like a remote control that you need to hold with both hands. This makes it easier to control the process and use all the necessary buttons.

The gamepad is the main transmitter between the player and the console, in our case the computer. These joysticks replace the keyboard or mouse. Almost all regular gamepads have the same design. The only exceptions may be branded gamepads, which have begun to change their shape and receive touch panels.

Otherwise, the device on the left has control buttons represented by up, down, left and right arrows. On the right side there are action buttons - jumping, acceleration, shooting, etc.

Advantages

If you don't know on PC, but want to find out, then you probably know about all the benefits of playing with a gamepad. Of course, they are different for everyone, but there are also those that cannot be disputed. For example, mobile and easy control.

There are some games that don't work at all without a joystick. More precisely, you can control them with a keyboard and mouse, but this is extremely inconvenient. It is especially comfortable to complete such projects while holding a joystick in your hands.

Gamepads often also have feedback. For example, they may have built-in vibration motors, which can react differently depending on the situation. For example, if you were driving a car in a car simulator and crashed into a fence, the joystick will shake in your hands. The same thing happens with shots or explosions. This adds realism to the gameplay.

Many people believe that the freedom of the gameplay is also an advantage. You are practically not tied to the computer. You can sit, lie down, stand up and do whatever you want, all within cable distance of the joystick, of course.

Flaws

If you want to know how to set up a joystick on PC for all games, you should also be aware of the disadvantages. The main thing, perhaps, is quality. Of course, branded devices are the best. They are well assembled, balanced and improved thanks to the experience of past years.

Chinese prototypes are the worst. There are often problems with connection and setup. They sometimes do not appear in the system. In addition, they are often poorly made. The buttons have different pressures, some of them may not even be pressed, fall out and “stick”.

Weight is also important. Some manipulators are either too light or very heavy. And it’s better if they are weighty - this is a symbol of quality. Another drawback may be gaming calluses. Some people think it's a myth, but long periods of gaming can actually cause chafing on your palms. This is caused by the fact that the hands sweat and slip.

Connection

So, before you figure out how to set up a joystick on a PC for all games (Windows 7 included), you need to connect it. To do this, simply install the device into the USB connector. If it is working properly, the system usually notices it immediately. If the computer cannot cope on its own, install the drivers from the included disk. If nothing works, most likely you purchased a cheap device. And to connect it, you need to download additional emulators. We'll talk about this a little later.

Calibration

How to set up a joystick on PC? Needs to be calibrated. To do this, look for the gamepad in the control panel. It can be in the “Devices and Printers” or “Gaming Devices” section. You will immediately notice the icon. It will display a graphics joystick.

You need to right-click and select “Options”. In an additional dialog box, you need to select our device and click on “Properties”. Here you can calibrate the device. Click on “Next” to the “Axes Calibration” tab.

We take the gamepad in our hands and hold down the cross. You need to click on it until the cross on the display hits the center. We complete this process and go to the “Verification” tab. You need to hold down every button on the device. If they are active, special icons will light up on the screen. The cross will move. Check again to make sure it is in the center.

Settings

There are two ways that will solve the issue of how to configure a joystick on a PC. You can go into the game, find the joystick control item in the settings and simply select it. Or there is an option to reconfigure all the keys. Instead of keyboard buttons, you will have access to gamepad keys.

It is worth understanding that not all games support working with a game controller. Therefore, before installing it, find out in advance in the description about synchronization with the joystick.

For Windows 10

It so happens that not all users of this operating system know how to set up a joystick on a PC for all games. Windows 10 is a good platform for gamers, but it doesn't work well with controllers. Some users want even games that don't support a gamepad to work with it.

Download JoyToKey and install it on your PC. Then we connect the joystick. Now we go to the game we want to play further and remember the keys used in it. Afterwards we can launch the utility. In it, select “Auto Configuration”. All joystick buttons will appear in the window. They need to be assigned the appropriate ones. If you need a turn to the right, then opposite this button, click on the corresponding arrow on the “keyboard”, etc. All settings can be saved for individual games.

Imitation

Users have noticed that a PC works best when paired with an Xbox 360. Other models, especially Chinese ones, are often incompatible and difficult to configure. Therefore, some people use various types of programs. Hence the question arose: how to configure a joystick on a PC for an emulator? One of these utilities was Motion Joy. The program is simple and easy to understand. Can work with many games. In general, it is designed to connect a PS3 joystick to a PC, but can emulate an Xbox 360 gamepad.

Download and run the program. We connect the manipulator. Go to the Driver Manager section and look to see if the gamepad is displayed there. If we see our device there, check the box. Now under the line we find the Load driver and Install all buttons, click on them.

Now we go back upstairs and look for Profiles there. Here you need to check the boxes depending on the joystick or emulator you have. And then click Enable. The utility must be running during the game.

To be honest, many of us love to play computer games. Often in different games it becomes necessary to use a joystick, which, unfortunately, is often not at hand, and you have to work with the keyboard. Or it exists, but there is a fear of having to configure it. What to do in this case, give up the desire to play? But no, you just need to configure the joystick for Windows 7 on your computer! The appearance of such a joystick will resemble an ordinary 32-bit console, that is, it will have cross navigation, 4 buttons on the end, 4 front, and 2 in the center.

Joystick setup

You will only need to configure the joystick once, after which everything will become clear and questions will no longer arise. This is all done very simply. So, each joystick has a USB cable that needs to be connected to the computer. After this, the system will either recognize the device, or you will need to download the necessary drivers.

After you figure out this simple matter, you will need to calibrate the joystick. To do this, go to the Control Panel, then to Devices/Printers (or Game Devices).

We find there the icon with our joystick, right-click on it, select “Options”, select the joystick again, and click “Calibrate”.


We go further and see “Calibration of axes”, click. After this, press the joystick cross, waiting until the cross in the picture moves to the very center. Then – “Next”, and finally, “Done”.

Now you need to check the functionality of the device. Go to the tab that says “Check” and press the joystick buttons one by one. If they all function normally, then various icons with numbers will start to light up everywhere, and a cross will appear in motion. If everything works, congratulations, now you can start playing the full game.

By the way, do not forget to go to the game parameters, in particular, to the control settings, and select the appropriate “Joystick Control” item there (there will also be an option to select a keyboard as an alternative).

As you can see, installing a joystick on a computer couldn’t be easier. It will only take a few minutes, but will be much more enjoyable to play than using the keyboard. And not only more pleasant, but also much more convenient and practical. And to play generally well, don’t forget to play correctly.