Use an Xbox 360 Controller as a Mouse

Step 5 Configuration and Implementation

From here you can configure the buttons manually, download the configurations I use, or do a little of both. To assign a value to a button you simply double click it in that list. You'll be presented with a bunch of options. "Disable" does just what it says. "Keyboard" allows you to assign a certain keystroke (or a combination of up to three keystrokes) to that button. "Mouse" allows you to move the mouse pointer, scroll wheel, and use the mouse buttons. "Command" does nothing at the moment. "Special" lets you speed up or slow down the movement of the pointer, temporarily use another joystick configuration, or switch to a different configuration.

I use two configurations (one for navigating Windows ("Windows.cfg") and one for playing games). You can download my Windows configuration at the bottom of the page here. It's made so the left thumbstick moves the pointer, A left clicks, B right clicks, X speeds up the pointer, left bumper is ALT, right bumper is TAB (I use these two together to switch between windows quickly), left trigger is ALT + SPACE + N (which minimizes a window), right trigger is ALT + F4 (which closes a window), right thumbstick scrolls up and down, and a few other buttons do things as well. The gaming configuration just mirrors the settings in SNES9X.

If you plan on using the controller as your primary input device it's important that you have JoyToKey run at startup. It has an option under "File", but I haven't had good luck with that. Instead I created a shortcut in the "Startup" folder. Then right clicked and chose "Properties". From there I changed "Run:" to "Minimized". This way not only will JoyToKey start every time Windows starts, but it'll start out of the way. (Note: I don't think a "Startup" folder is present on all computers, but you can still make JoyToKey run at startup by using msconfig. Do a search on how to use msconfig if you're not familiar with it.)

To use my configuration simply download it and put it in the root directory that JoyToKey is in. I recommend you download it, and then modify it to better suite your needs. Well, we've made it to the end. Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think.

Comments

[autsweum]

This AHK script/tool solved it for me http://nirklars.wordpress.com/xbox-wireless-controller-mouse-simulator/

[dtekempel]

For Win7 this one must be used. A new link is http://nirklars.wordpress.com/xboxmouse/
The other link is 404

[dtekempel]

Will not work on Win7 and a possibility of not working with off brand controller. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[darkitsuki]

 works like a charm! im using my controller to type this. i just assigned a button on my controller to open up the onscreen keyboard!

[zackfluck]

I assigned the onscreen keyboard as a button as well but upon clicking it with my mouse (controller) it stops working altogether and I need to reside back to my mousepad on my laptop, any help?

[jchavez11]

How do you make it so one button opens on screen keyboard?

[herford]

but how? what button(s) makes it pop up?

[PyromanX]

Great idea with the dedicated onscreen keyboard button. That should be in the instructable!
Great instructable, BTW!

[kgaule]

Works fine, I had already ticked the 'hide known extensions' box which was needed for another game:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IE/windows-vista/Show-or-hide-file-name-extensions

Doing this will allow you to simply change the file extension to .cfg, nothing else is required, it should work once you change the extension to this.

The only issue I'm having is when left idle the cursor drifts to the left, if I point it to the left it keeps travelling. Any way to stop this?

[brownca88]

I can't figure out how to configure it either. Just bought a new 360 controller today specifically to use it for emulators and as a mouse. Does anyone reply to these comments?

[frostyflakes]

ok so my problem is that i dont understand how to use your file for joy to key how to configure them toget her

[tavoge]

u f***n great man, people like u make the web knowledge amazing

[tim13]

i every time i try to download your joy to key thing that you mad it takes me to some elf search thing man can you help me with the key to learn cause i have no idiea

[zackattack0]

Thanks you it worked!
Also thanks to asdf;sdfs1dfsdf for the file extension tip-

[TheC2s]

Thanks a lot, this was really helpful. Now I can connect wirelessly and usb mode as well. You don't know how much time you save me. So thanks again

[djwhitey123]

 how do i add the configuration to joytokey ???

[carlin2090]

change the tmp extinction to cfg and put it in the folder of joytokey

[asdf;sdfs1dfsdf]

to change file type to clarify: (i have windows xp) -go to where the downloaded file went to (use start-search if can't find it) -while in folder go to bar with 'file, edit, etc' : tools-folder options-view -then scroll down and unclick 'hide extensions for known file types' this allows you to change the file type -rename the file from 'fhx1r...' to read 'windows.cfg' (gets rid of .tmp) -copy and paste to folder containing 'joytokey.exe' (ex:mine is 'jtk374en') -right click file-open with-open with-select the program from a list-convert joystick input...-ok

[campbell227]

 Please help i have the perfect controls set for the game i wanna play (crossfire) but as soon as i get into the game the controller does nothing when i push a button. why is this?

[simrit3]

I get this error when i open my joy2key "Make sure JoySticks areconnectend and DirectX 6 is connected"
HELP ME !!!!!!!!

[rkp1919]

how do i activate a configuration? i have the windows.cnf file

[bigcooper]

I got the messenger kit for controller do you think there is a way to use it as a keyboard ??? that would be really cool wouldn't even have to touch the big key board well thanks i'll try and check it out and see what I can do

[David Stoner]

Thanks for bringing the messenger kit to my attention. I too have been wanting to be rid of my keyboard. I'll have to try it out, and if it works I'll update this. Oh, and here's the link for everyone else:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360messengerkit/

[Robotboyv02]

Any update regarding the use of the messenger kit on PC?

[Shut Up Now]

let me know how this works out. with the messenger kit i mean. that would be totally awsome! oh, by the way, good work on this 'ible. its very well made

[jongscx]

from my understanding, the messenger kit for some reason does NOT work with pc. don't quote me as it was an "I heard from a guy who knows a guy who... etc." but that's what I know.

[rlcrock]

Currently, there is no driver support for the Chatpad for Windows. Talk is that MS is looking at releasing the driver, but for now, there are a couple projects working on creating an open source driver for it. Also, as an alternative to JoyToKey, I have written a program specifically for the 360 controller which I think is easier to use. Just visit http://xcui.codeplex.com and download it.

[jongscx]

I installed the MSI on the download, nothing happens. I installed all the required components, I couldn't figure out the "UI" part at all, with nothing showing up on my start menu. or maybe I'm just dumb and can't find a simple shortcut. I suggest writing an instructable on how to use it, or maybe including a readme.

[rlcrock]

My apologies. The executable is under Program Files -> NURO Imagining. Simply start it and it will automatically minimize to the tray. From there it should work. I will make an update so it installs a shortcut to the start menu. Thank you for your feedback.

[jongscx]

ooh, I like it. Much more intuitive than P2K. But, I think you lose a bit of functionality, such as stick-clicking, and not being able to do button combinations. (ctrl+alt+del for example) And there doesn't seem to be a way to switch between configurations with a button. Those are my suggestions. Perhaps, in the next build, add a simple and an advanced user option. Something else that would be nice that nobody has done would be a screen overlay that would display when you switch to another configuration, telling you which one you switched to.

[rlcrock]

Thank you very much for your suggestions. If you could put them on the Codeplex discussion page, that would be awesome so I can track things like this.

[whateva]

I can't get this to work. I have .net 2.0 and 3.0. I installed 3.5 sp1 and when launching the exe I get the generic "encountered a problem error" I'm using XP SP2. I uninstalled 3.5 and 3.0 and reinstalled 2.5 sp and the same issue. I tried a previous install from your site and no difference.

[rlcrock]

Make sure you are installing the XNA framework 3.0. It is included in the previous releases, but not the current one. If you cannot find it on Codeplex: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6521d889-5414-49b8-ab32-e3fff05a4c50&displaylang=en. Hope this works for you!

[whateva]

Also this might help with the chatpad: http://a3w.ivory.ne.jp/softwares/xpcc_en.html

[jongscx]

Unfortunately, it doesn't really... The main problem we're having with the Chatpad is that it is not connecting to the computer through the Wireless Gaming Receiver. The site you're linking to is a way to connect it to the computer, yes... but through an xbox 360 console. I, as well as a lot of people, are trying to get it to work without needing the console.

[whateva]

Hmm true. I've read some people have been able to get one set of input. So one charchter and then it fails after that. If only MS would release the driver. What a great HTPC control it would make.

[jongscx]

could you link me to those... a step in that direction is better than the nothing we have right now.

[whateva]

I've read thorugh a few threads on various sites with page after page. There was mention of being able to get input. I'm trying to find the comment, but can't remember which thread or which page.

If you have time, read through the following thread: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/input-devices/108554-xbox360-chatpad-awsome-backlit-mini-keyboard.html

[whateva]

Ahh I thought I installed it, as I donwloaded and installed a previous version with xna. I removed everything an reinstalled the latest version with .net 3.5 and xna. All good. Thanks. Nice work by the way. nice and simple. But a quality design. i have set up one for my pc and one for my htpc. Now if you get the chatpad working, that would be awesome and I wouldn't be suprised if MS take an intrest in your work. Thanks again.

[rlcrock]

Thank you for the feedback. I am currently working on developing the chatpad support even though the driver isn't there. I may have to change some things if MS releases it working as a keyboard, which would make my life much easier.