Hands-On Tech 215: PlayStation Controller on Windows - All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Hands-On Tech 215: PlayStation Controller on Windows

Introduction In the May 11, 2025 episode of Hands-On Tech hosted by Micah Sargent, the focus is on addressing listener questions about using PlayStation controllers with Windows systems. Specifically, the episode delves into configuring a PlayStation 3 (PS3) controller for optimal performance with Windows 10 and 11, particularly for applications like Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Listener's Query: Using a PS3 Controller with Windows The episode begins with a question from David, who inquires about utilizing a PS3 controller with Windows 10 or 11 for Flight Simulator. David mentions finding a driver that emulates an Xbox controller but notes that some buttons on his PS3 controller remain non-functional. He wonders if there's a dedicated PS3 version of the driver to enable full button functionality.

Micah’s Analysis and Insights Micah acknowledges David's concern, highlighting the fundamental difference between controller support on macOS and Windows platforms. He states:

“On the macOS side of things, macOS is very platform agnostic when it comes to controllers. So I have a Dual Sense controller that I purchased that I can use on my Mac very easily.” (02:30)

He contrasts this with Windows, explaining that Microsoft has standardized the Xbox controller as the primary gamepad for the platform. This standardization is due to Microsoft's ownership of Xbox and the widespread adoption of the Xinput API, which facilitates controller communication between the device and games.

Third-Party Solutions: DS4Windows To bridge the gap between PlayStation controllers and Windows' Xbox-centric design, Micah introduces DS4Windows, an open-source tool that enables the use of various PlayStation controllers on Windows. He elaborates:

“DS4 Windows is a great way to do that... It works with DualShock 3, DualShock 4, DualSense 5. It also works with the Joy Con, the Nintendo Switch Pro controller, and some other gamepads that are available now.” (05:20)

Micah explains that DS4Windows translates direct input signals from PlayStation controllers into the Xinput format, ensuring better compatibility and functionality within Windows games. He advises David to visit the DS4Windows site, navigate to supported controllers, and ensure his PS3 controller meets the necessary requirements, such as running under the DSHID mini driver and utilizing Bluetooth for optimal performance.

Alternative Solutions: Steam's Built-In Controller Support Addressing potential persistent issues with Xinput translation, Micah suggests leveraging Steam's built-in controller configuration tools. He notes:

“If you have other games and you are playing those games via Steam, Steam has built-in tools for controller translation... It’s been the case for me that when I have downloaded Steam games, I can play with whatever controller I want to because there are great built-in sort of controller translation tools.” (08:45)

This indicates that transitioning to Steam-managed games might offer a more seamless experience with non-Xbox controllers without relying solely on third-party drivers.

Listener Feedback: RetroWeb.com Appreciation Transitioning from technical discussions, Micah shares Stephen's feedback regarding RetroWeb.com, a volunteer-run resource dedicated to preserving obsolete retro technology. Stephen praises the site for its extensive archive, including manuals, drivers, and detailed information on retro hardware like hard drives and expansion cards.

Micah adds:

“This is super, super cool... you get everything you could possibly want to know about these different devices.” (09:50)

He highlights the website's categorization, extensive listings (e.g., 1,386 hard drives), and the inclusion of images, datasheets, and manuals. Micah expresses enthusiasm for the platform, emphasizing its value both as a nostalgic exploration and a comprehensive technical repository.

Conclusion Micah wraps up the episode by thanking listeners for their support and encouraging them to engage with the community. He reiterates the solutions discussed for using PlayStation controllers on Windows and acknowledges the valuable listener feedback regarding RetroWeb.com. The episode offers a blend of practical technical advice and community-driven resource recommendations, catering to both current tech users and retro technology enthusiasts.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

"On the macOS side of things, macOS is very platform agnostic when it comes to controllers." – Micah Sargent (02:30)
"DS4 Windows is a great way to do that... It works with DualShock 3, DualShock 4, DualSense 5." – Micah Sargent (05:20)
"If you have other games and you are playing those games via Steam, Steam has built-in tools for controller translation." – Micah Sargent (08:45)
"This is super, super cool... you get everything you could possibly want to know about these different devices." – Micah Sargent (09:50)

Final Thoughts For listeners seeking to enhance their gaming experience by integrating PlayStation controllers with Windows systems, this episode provides actionable insights and recommends reliable tools like DS4Windows and Steam's native support. Additionally, the appreciation for RetroWeb.com underscores the community's appreciation for preserving and accessing historical technology resources.

Transcript

Micah Sargent (0:00)

Coming up on Hands On Tech, let's take a look at using a PlayStation controller on our Windows machine. Stay tuned.

Unknown (0:08)

This is Twit.

Micah Sargent (0:17)

Hello and welcome to Hands On Tech. I'm Micah Sargent and as you know, this is the show where you ask your tech questions and I attempt to answer them. Today our question comes in from David. David has writt in to say this. I'm looking for using a PlayStation 3 controller on Windows 10 or 11 to use with Flight Simulator. I did find a driver that emulates an Xbox controller, but some of the buttons don't work on my PS3 controller. Is there a PS3 version so more buttons can work? Well, first and foremost, David, good question. By the way, it's kind of interesting because on the macOS side of things, macOS is very platform agnostic when it comes to controllers. So I have a Dual Sense controller that I purchased that I can use on my Mac very easily. But the Mac also supports an Xbox controller. If you'd rather use that and then also let me grab it, it's kind of tucked away back here. I also have this Luna controller from Amazon that also works with my Mac. There's this really great system for being able to just use whatever controller you want to use on the Mac. But the same doesn't quite apply on the Windows side. And that's because Microsoft has, as you might imagine, established the Xbox controller as the standard gamepad for Windows. Microsoft owns Xbox. Xbox is the controller that is first and foremost. And so most games, and in particular games that are from Microsoft, like Microsoft Flight Simulator, are designed with Xinput. And Xinput is the API that kind of does the controller translation between your device and the game that you're playing. So in order to use a PlayStation controller on Windows, you have to use some sort of third party software, which is what you talked about. You found a driver that emulates an Xbox controller, but what that does is it translates these direct input signals into the X input input format that Windows and most games on the platform will understand. So I looked into what people are doing and using in order to use their PlayStation controllers on their Windows machines, because surely there are lots who are doing that. The DualSense controllers are really popular controller format. And so it is the case that yes, people are using their Dual Sense controllers on the PlayStation. What you will want to look into is an application or sort of system, a service called DS4Windows, that's DualSense for Windows. But what this does is it lets you use your PlayStation controller, your DualSense controller or dual Shock I think was the previous name controller with the Windows platform. Kind of a cool thing about it. It works with DualShock 3, DualShock 4, DualSense 5. It also works with the Joy Con, the Nintendo Switch Pro controller and some other gamepads that are available now. What you do, this is an open source tool by the way. It will work with Windows 10, it works with Windows 11, and it has controls for PS3, PS4 and PS5 controllers. And that is exactly what you were talking about. Now because you are using one of the older controllers, you in this case are using that PS3 controller. Then what you're going to want to do is at the DS4Windows site go to supported controllers and scroll down to see what it says about the DS3 that DualShock 3, which I believe would be the controller that you're working with. So it says it needs to be running under DSHID mini driver and in DS4 Windows mode it requires Bluetooth. They're basically all of these different requirements that make it so that it will work to its best and highest functionality. So it's possible that you perhaps have, because you didn't mention, David, what specific driver you use with this, it's possible perhaps that you came across a driver and so you kind of got halfway there. You want to make sure you get all the way there. So DS4 Windows is a great way to do that. As Wizardling has pointed out in the chat though, if you do buy your games outside, of course this was specifically about doing Flight simulator, right? So you do need something like this. But if you have other games and you are playing those games via Steam, Steam has built in tools for controller translation. So it's been the case for me that when I have downloaded Steam games, I can play with whatever controller I want to because there are great built in sort of controller translation tools that help you to set things up exactly how you want them. So that's something to bear in mind as well. If you are kind of having issues still with getting things to work with Xinput, that might be something that you look into just making the switch over to Steam games for the rest of it. But David, thank you for your question there. That was a really interesting one. I do want to, while we're here, remind you all about our club at Twitter TV Club TWIT. For $7 a month, dollar a year, you can join the club. When you join the club, you gain access to some pretty awesome benefits. All of our shows ad free, including this one you gain access to the Twit plus bonus feed that has extra content you won't find anywhere else behind the scenes before the show. After the show, special Club Twit events get published there and access to the members only Discord Server A fun place to go to chat with your fellow Club Twit members and those of us here at TWiT. We would love to see you join the Club Twit TV Club Twit. We've got a two week free trial to kick things off so be sure to check it out. Race the rudders. Race the sails. Race the sails. Captain, an unidentified ship is approaching. Over. Roger, Wait. Is that an enterprise sales solution? Reach sales professionals, not professional sailors. With LinkedIn ads, you can target the right people by industry, job title and more. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. 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