Update: How to use a PS4 Controller in Windows with proper axis and XInput support.
If you are considering upgrading, but are wondering whether you can use your Playstation 3 controller in Windows 8, we have the answer for you: Yes! It isn’t a simple plug-and-play solution, but by following these steps, you will be able to use your PS3 controller in Windows 8 (and all other versions of Windows prior) easily.
These drivers work in local mode, so you do not need an internet connection to use them anymore.
Before we begin, you will need to download two files:
1) MotionJoy drivers v6.0003 64 bit (32 bit)
The drivers were originally intended to be ad-supported, but quite often the site goes down, denying users access to their controller! The drivers we discuss will work without needing to be online, as you’re about to see. There are newer ones out there, but they are quite buggy, and do not support local mode.
1) Plug in your PS3 controller
The first step is obvious, and the way Windows 8 reacts might lead you to believe that it is simply a matter of plugging the controller in. After all, the PS3 controller shows up with the proper name in the device manager:
As you can see, the PS3 controller shows up in Windows 8 as “PLAYSTATION 3 Controller” with a Status of “OK”. However, the controller is completely unresponsive. That’s why we need to install these custom drivers.
2) Install the MotioninJoy v6 Program
The next step is to install the MotioninJoy program that is in the first archive you downloaded. This doesn’t install drivers, but rather the app that allows you to manage your PS3 controller and drivers. Don’t run it yet!
2a) (optional) Block with Firewall
Although their site is often down, you may want to block the program from accessing the internet completely. Since we are using it in local mode, you won’t need it to have internet access anyway. To do this, start “Windows Firewall with Advanced Security”, go to “Outbound Rules” and create a new Outbound Rule.
Follow the steps, the defaults should be fine. The key is that you want to block ALL outgoing traffic. This will ensure that the program doesn’t reach out to the internet, since we don’t need it to.
3) Extract the Local Files to the Install Location
Before running the program you just installed, you must first extract the local files that are in the second archive. Extract them to the main install directory (default %Program Files%\MotioninJoy\ds3\). If extracted properly, it should look like this:
NOTE: Depending on your Windows 8 configuration, you may not be able to directly extract the files into the program DIR. If you get an error, drag and drop the folder from your archive program instead, or extract it first, then copy it over. If you see this Windows 8 Destination Folder Access Denied Error box pop up, click Continue:
4) Run MotioninJoy v6
Next, you can run MotioninJoy. If you blocked it with the firewall, the first screen will simply be blank. If not, it may show an “Error 500″ you first start it if their site is down or if you are offline. Otherwise, it may recommend an update, which I would not recommend doing as you will lose local mode functionality (and the newer v7 drivers are less stable than these ones) Either way, we prefer to use them in local mode, without ads, so go to the “Local” section, selected from the top menu:
5) Install the Windows PS3 Controller Drivers
Next you need to install the Windows drivers for the PS3 controller. Select “Install” in the second menu bar. This is what the Install screen looks like before the drivers are installed:
Select the controller, then click “Load Driver”. The program will then install signed 64 bit drivers for you. It will look like this if it ran correctly:
Also, the name of the controller gets changed in the device manager:
At this point, the controller is responsive, and works perfectly as a standard gamepad. However, there is one more step you might need to take in order to have your PS3 controller play in as many Windows games as possible.
6) Enable XBOX 360 Mode
To allow your PS3 controller to work in Windows games that only look for XBOX 360 drivers, you need to enable XBOX 360 mode. This option is found in the main MotioninJoy screen, in Local mode:
And you’re done! You can test the vibration settings and other things. If you want to remove the driver, simply use the rollback function under “Install”. This will remove the drivers completely.
