How to Make Your PlayStation 3 Controller a Mouse

Use your PS3 controller to perform basic mouse functions such as clicking.

In addition to using your PlayStation 3 controller to play PC games on your desktop or laptop, you can also use it as a mouse. The third-party software that you use to convert your PS3 controller into a joystick, however, cannot be used to convert the device into a mouse. To expand the use of the game controller, download a program like Joystick 2 Mouse, JoyToKey or Joystick-To-Mouse, all of which allow you to use your PlayStation 3 controller as a mouse.

Instructions

Joystick 2 Mouse

1. Connect your PlayStation 3 controller to your computer using its USB cable. Windows detects the controller automatically.

2. Download the Joystick 2 Mouse software. Open your Downloads folder and double-click the “joy2mouse.exe” setup file to install the software on your PC. Launch Joystick 2 Mouse.

3. Click the “Joysticks” tab and select the “Microsoft PC-joystick driver” option from the “Joysticks Profiles Assignments” drop-down menu.

4. Click the “Profiles” tab and select “Microsoft PC-joystick driver” from the “Joystick” drop-down menu.

5. Use the “Button Combination” menu to configure the settings for each button on your PS3 controller. For example, “Button 3” corresponds with the “X” button on the controller. To use the “X” button as a selection tool, click the “Action” drop-down menu and select the “Left Mouse Button” option. After configuring the controller functions, click the “Apply” button to save the settings.

6. Use the “Actions” tab to configure the speed and acceleration of the mouse pointer. Click the “Apply” button to save the mouse settings.

JoyToKey

1. Download and install JoyToKey. Connect your PS3 controller to your computer. Launch JoyToKey.

2. Click the “Create” button. Enter a name for your new controller profile, such as “PS3,” and click “OK.” A list of button options appears on the screen.

3. Select the controller button you want to configure first. The “left,” “right,” “up” and “down” options control the left analog stick on the PS3 controller. After you select your preferred button, the “Configuration” dialog box appears.

4. Use the “Cursor Movements” slider bar to configure the speed of the mouse pointer. If you want to assign a specific function to the button, such as “left click,” check the box next to your preferred function option. Click “OK” to save the controller settings. Repeat this step for each button associated with your PS3 controller.

Joystick-To-Mouse

1. Download and install Joystick-To-Mouse from the Innovation Management Group website. As of the time of publication, the program costs $119.95. The company, however, offers a free 100-hour demo version.

2. Connect your PS3 controller to your PC. Open Joystick-To-Mouse.

3. Click the “Start Joystick” button on the “Joystick-To-Mouse Advanced Menu Selections” screen.

4. Click “Button Settings." Use the “Button” drop-down menus to customize a different mouse operation for each button on your PS3 controller. You can assign a specific operation, such as "left click," "right click," "copy" or "paste" to each button.

5. Click “OK” to save the settings.

Resources

• Tucows: Joystick 2 Mouse
• One Switch: JoyToKey
• IMG: Joystick-To-Mouse