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Use an Xbox 360 Controller as a Mouse

Step 4JoyToKey Basics

JoyToKey Basics
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  • joytokey_step_1_1.gif
  • joytokey_step_1_2.gif
Make sure your controller is connected and open JoyToKey. The left hand side displays your configurations. You can multiple configurations to use for certain tasks (one for mouse movement, one for gaming, etc.). On the right hand side you'll see a long list that consists of "Button", "Keyboard", "Auto". This is where you define what the buttons (thumbsticks and directional pads count too) do. However, by default this list doesn't show every component of the Xbox 360 controller.

Click the tab on the very right labeled "Others". Here you can change the number of joysticks for this configuration. Adding more joysticks to configure allows the same customization of a separate configuration, but the you can only switch to different joystick configurations (Joystick 1, Joystick 2, etc.) temporarily (while a button is held down) where you can toggle between configurations (press once to switch, press again to switch back). To view the full range of buttons of the Xbox 360 controller click "Use Axes other than X and Y." and "Use POV switches".

Now, push the "Joysticks" tab to switch back to the list. You'll notice a lot more buttons are available for us to configure. Here's a rundown of what each button on the controller is listed as in the list.

Left Thumbstick Left = AxisX(<0)
Left Thumbstick Right = AxisX(>0)
Left Thumbstick Up = AxisY(<0)
Left Thumbstick Down = AxisY(>0)

Right Shoulder = Axis3(<0)
Left Shoulder = Axis3(>0)

Right Thumbstick Left = Axis4(<0)
Right Thumbstick Right = Axis4(>0)
Right Thumbstick Up = Axis5(<0)
Right Thumbstick Down = Axis5(>0)

Directional Pad Up = POV1:UP
Directional Pad Right = POV1:RIGHT
Directional Pad Down = POV1:DOWN
Directional Pad Left = POV1:LEFT

A = Button 1
B = Button 2
X = Button 3
Y = Button 4

Left Bumper = Button 5
Right Bumper = Button 6

Back = Button 7
Start = Button 8

Left Thumbstick = Button 9
Right Thumbstick = Button 10

(For clarification, the last two are achieved by pushing the left or right thumbstick in. They're called L3 and R3 on Playstation controllers, but I don't know if they have a name from Microsoft.)

There are plenty of other options, but what exactly they do I don't know. Using the guide above maps every button (except the Guide button) that I could find so I'm not worried.

The last step will give examples of configurations and provide the files that I use.
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25 comments
May 12, 2012. 5:14 AMaleksandaram says:
Devil may cry 3 don't recognize joytokey d-pad mapping(xbox360 controller). How to fix this?
Apr 28, 2012. 5:41 AMarticz82 says:
This works! Thanks! joytokey was never really clear for me, and now i can play for most of my games!
Nov 28, 2011. 7:41 PMDanelson says:
I was having a problem where the controlled would work on my desktop, but in some games, and on any menus that needed administration permission, it wouldn't react at all.
However, I finally figured it out.
Close the program, go to the program, right click on the program then click run as administrator. Problem solved.
Again, this is to fix the controller being non-responsive when your computer pops up a message saying "Your permission is needed to continue" or in games where it won't react at all.
Aug 28, 2011. 11:06 PMbadams7 says:
I had a 360 but it tore up, one of my favorite games was oblivion, so i got oblivion on my computer and set up the controls to mirror that of the xbox's version, but one problem... the hotkey button is the d-pad, now it took me awhile to figure out how to set it up to show the d-pad, but it is only for up down left and right, how do i make it apply for the diagonal directions for the d-pad?
Aug 7, 2011. 1:21 PMButterMyToast says:
I gave this 5 stars USING the xbox controller! :P hahah thanks alot dude!
May 24, 2011. 1:53 PMHuntman00 says:
does anybody know if it is possible to make it type something if i press start(button 10)

ex......*presses start* Huntman00 says: fdjhgfgkjhguy
Jun 14, 2011. 9:14 PMjwells5 says:
not sure think you would have to write code for that... that would be awesome. i built a reciever using the XBOX360 dotter board (power button board) connected USB to it and ran the program and it syncs and works well. it works good on Windows. im on linux right now so i dont know if it will work the same...

May 17, 2011. 5:31 PMalang3 says:
i do the left thumbstick thing and everythign but it does nothing what do i do?
Sep 30, 2009. 10:25 PMLovell13 says:
My controller is definitely connected but joytokey wont recognize it. What am i missing
Apr 25, 2011. 9:04 AMpgibbons says:
you need the microsoft hardware, and turn off joytokey, plug in your controller, then turn it back on( you have to close it , not minimise it
Nov 13, 2009. 10:48 AMbatsou says:
thx for this!!!!
it works great on windows but how to associate it xith a game, cause i can't configurate it on a game!!!!
please can some one hrlp me!!!!
Apr 25, 2011. 9:02 AMpgibbons says:
basicly, use the left stick as arrow keys (AxisX(<0)= left arrow key AxisX(<0)= riht arrow key e.t.c) and a button as space, and that should cove most games!
Mar 6, 2011. 11:24 AMmortimusmaximus says:
Is there any way to ignore miniscule inputs?
My cursor keeps drifting slowly after I stop moving the thumbstick.
Mar 6, 2011. 1:34 PMmortimusmaximus says:
Set the 'Input Threshold' in the 'Other' tab to 3%
Problem solved!
Jan 3, 2010. 8:19 PMFethrdWlf says:
Okay, I have an Xbox 360 Wireless Remote with a Charge and Play cord. Will it still work?
Jan 18, 2010. 11:11 AMs13vin4t0r says:
 no, it wont. i tried.

the wireless controllers arent wired to work over USB with a play and charge kit.
Feb 3, 2011. 6:46 PMtriton37 says:
you can buy a $20 adaptor
though
Sep 7, 2010. 8:31 PMjulz1981 says:
is it possible to use the xbox 360 keyboard with joytokey?
that way i can configure the controller to move the mouse and use the keyboard thingy to chat and do other stuff?

thx.
May 10, 2010. 10:24 PMdjwhitey123 says:
 i have the driver installed and joytokey but when i try to configure the controller J2K isnt recognizing the controller or something because it doesnt do anything after i click configure button....i tried using your configuration but i cant seem to find J2K in the root directory. Please someone help
Apr 2, 2010. 9:41 PMKiroLee says:
Thank you so much for this tutorial.  My only working mouse dropped in my soup and I now find I can play certain games much better with a controller.  EvE Online being the main one.

Jan 26, 2010. 3:13 PMhellstudios says:
xpadder is a much much easier to use program, you should include it in here.
Oct 14, 2009. 6:38 PManimekd101 says:
will this work with free online games that you download onto your computer?
Aug 19, 2008. 8:31 PMReline Runner says:
hey i downloaded that thing on microsoft.com but the joytokey thing how to u make is so u can put like long things like Left Bumper or Left Stick or using the D-pad or just even using your controller for that.
Oct 8, 2009. 6:42 PMsquirrelMLM says:
 on the left you will see a tab called Other. Just click on it, then check the three squares.
Apr 19, 2009. 3:12 PMJCR22 says:
is there any way to save these settings? Every time i down my computer or unplug the controller, i have to set the whole thing over again.
Jul 23, 2009. 2:11 PMfelcax says:
yes just see the lower left corner press create, do your configuration and it will be saved
Jul 3, 2009. 6:14 PMknexkinglord says:
Yes.
Oct 7, 2008. 9:33 AMadamruddock says:
do u know if and how to use the 360 chat pad as a keyboard on the pc along with the pad as the mouse

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Author:David Stoner