What Is JoyToKey Uses, Features, Opinions, Prices

JoyToKey allows PC game controllers to emulate keyboard and mouse input, so that applications and games can Windows can be controlled with your favorite joysticks such as the controller of the Xbox, or the one PlayStation.

Whenever the joystick buttons and levers are pressed, JoyToKey converts them into keyboard strokes and/or mouse movements so that the target application works as if you were using a real keyboard and mouse.

You can create multiple custom profiles for your favorite games and easily switch between them as needed. JoyToKey Works with any game or app, even if it doesn't natively support external controllers like the trendy game Minecraft.

Stay with us to discover more features of this software.

What is JoyToKey

JoyToKey is a keyboard and mouse emulator for joysticks. It converts joystick input into keyboard input and mouse input. It is widely used when you want to control an application with joysticks that does not support joystick input.

If you want, you can control all kinds of applications with joysticks and buttons. Whenever buttons and levers are pressed on the controllers, JoyToKey converts them into keyboard strokes and mouse movements so that the target application works as if a real keyboard and mouse were being used.

JoyToKey is a shareware, but you can download the latest version for free. Try it on your PC to play games that don't have native controller support with your favorite joysticks or use it for general applications to improve efficiency by registering frequently used key shortcuts as joystick input.

If you find it useful JoyToKey, you can buy a license key from their official website. But first, to clarify the terminology a bit, we will explain to you:What is a joystick?

What is the joystick?

Also known as a joystick, a joystick It consists of a small vertical lever, i.e. a lever mounted on the base, which is used to direct the screen cursor.

Most joysticks select screen positions by actual movement of the joystick, others respond to pressure on the stick. Some joysticks are mounted on the keyboard, while others operate as stand-alone units.

The distance from the center position of the stick to the moved position is proportional to the movement of the on-screen cursor in that direction. A potentiometer is mounted at the base of the joystick that measures the amount of movement.

This potentiometer helps return the stick to its center position when the stick is released. One or more buttons can also be programmed to act as input switches to signal certain actions, once a screen position has been selected.

What JoyToKey can be used for

JoyToKey It is a practical choice for controlling gamepad and joystick on your Windows 7, 8.1 or 10 PC. It supports a wider range of configurations and allows you to customize the settings.

It can also be used to set up and use your game console controllers, including PS2, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 controllers and Nintendo Remote Wii controllers, on your computer.

JoyToKey allows you to use your favorite joysticks to control games and web applications on Windows, as it allows PC game controllers to emulate both keyboard and mouse input.

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JoyToKey Features

• Excellent keyboard and mouse input emulator.
• Great compatibility with most games on the market.
• It has a free trial version, limited.
• It is easy to set up and map.
• The full version, which is paid, is not expensive compared to market prices.
• You have the option to download a manual installation ZIP version.

Advantages

• The software is useful for playing with the computer and the video games.
• It is very easy to use for beginners.
• It is a very fast interface.
• It's easier to navigate.
• The control is in 3D (three dimensions).
• It provides fast interactions, as required in most games, and hence can be used in almost any type of games.

 Disadvantages

• It is difficult to control the ON screen pointer compared to the mouse. Some people find it harder to control than the mouse.
• Prolonged use of this program and the joystick may cause fatigue, compared to using the keyboard and mouse.

Plans and prices

As we have already mentioned, this application is sold under the shareware modality. There is a free, limited version that you can download as a test. It is available from its official website: JoyToKey.

If you are convinced by its functionality, you can proceed to purchase the license. The license costs $7, one-time payment, and you can pay via PayPal.

How and where to download JoyToKey

JoyToKey is available on their official website: JoyToKey. Proceed with the following steps to download the free version.

• Visit the official site of JoyToKey.
• In the main menu, click on "Downloads".
• Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Download JoyToKey installer (from joytokey.net)”. The installation file will be downloaded.
• Once the download is complete, double-click the file to run the installation.
• The permissions request appears, click “Yes”.
• Then, the license agreement window appears. Accept the agreement and click “Next".
• Then, in the next window it specifies that it will be installed by default in a “Program Files” folder. Click “Next”.
• In the next window, select to create a shortcut on your desktop, and click “Next.”
• Finally, the window to begin the installation appears, click “Install”.
• After finishing the installation, click on “End".

Done, the program is now installed on your machine.

How to set up JoyToKey on Windows

• Right click on the program JoyToKey and select «Run as administrator«
• Connect your joypad or joystick to the jack USB from your PC.
• Wait a few moments for your computer to recognize it. You can connect up to 64 controllers.
• If you want to connect game console controllers to your PC, you may need a special USB adapter.
• Check that your controller is working by going to the control panel «game controllers» which is accessed from the desktop by clicking: START > CONTROL PANEL > PRINTERS AND OTHER HARDWARE > GAME CONTROLLERS.
• If all goes well, the name of your controller or adapter should appear. Double-click this to enter driver test mode.
• A controller properties display panel should appear with numbered buttons and pointers that are highlighted when you use your controller. Take note of what exactly each button does, as this will help you configure your controller in JoyToKey.
• Start «JoyToKey» by double-clicking the joystick icon.
• You should see a number of example settings. These will work on PlayStation-compatible controllers connected via a USB adapter such as the C-SID. You can test to see if everything is working by opening a word processor document and then pressing the buttons on your controller. From there, you can try out a game.
• To make a new configuration, press the « buttonCreate«.
• Choose a button you want to use by double-clicking it in the list. You will enter a new menu from which you can choose to assign a Keyboard, Mouse, or Special function.

Done, you're all set up! JoyToKey on Windows.

How to map keyboard and mouse input controls with JoyToKey

It is possible to start mapping your keyboard inputs and mouse controls to the gamepad and analog buttons, once you have seen the labels highlighted. Follow the instructions below:

1. Double left click on the Joystick 1 items – Stick 1, Button 1, Button 2. Alternatively, select each item manually and click the “Edit button assignment".
2. When you select the button or stick in the game controller profile, you will be asked to provide the appropriate keyboard or mouse control input.
3. To assign keyboard input, you need to select the keyboard label at the top. Then enter the corresponding keyboard stroke you want to assign to the selected joystick or gamepad button.
4. It is also possible to assign mouse control options. To do this, select the function category as "Mouse" and then select the mouse cursor or pointer control that should be assigned the pointer option values.
5. Cursor movement to the left, minus or negative, is used for left mouse movement. Moved to the right, indicates right side movement. Moving up is positive and moving down is negative.
6. It is also possible to check the corresponding mouse click options which are highlighted in green to emulate the mouse click on your gamepad.
7. Click on "Accept” to confirm the selection of keyboard or mouse input to assign to the joystick or gamepad.
8. Once you have mapped all the inputs, you just need to click on “Accept” to save the gamepad settings.

You can also configure a second joystick in JoyToKey so you can use two joysticks or gamepads on the same PC. With the help of JoyToKey, you can play PC games easily, using the gamepad or joystick of your choice.

Opinions from users who have used JoyToKey

Let's see some opinions from users who have already downloaded and used it. JoyToKey.

• Anonymous:

“You can easily connect your mouse and keyboard using this platform. I usually turn to services like this, but in my case, my joystick was broken and I had a vacation planned where my friends and I would play games and relax. So, at this time, I came across this platform, which was not free, but I had to make a purchase and it was worth it.

This program provided me with multiple settings to switch between various keyboard and mouse mappings. It is the most interesting software I have ever seen for gaming. I suggest you try it out so you will know how it works.”

• Vaughan:

“After using this interface a few times, I was able to connect my PlayStation 4 joystick to my keyboard, and that gave me access to many more keystrokes than a regular joystick. To use this platform, I first checked out the website, and the interface was amazing, providing me with all the information I needed.

Instead of just giving me the software, they provide a few steps to make that purchase. For me, this platform was more than just a joystick controller. I enjoyed their app and the controls it provides were very easy to use.”

• Anonymous:

“It is a wonderful service that provides you with a one-stop solution that will give you control on your keyboard for gaming. The app will simulate the joystick function on your keyboard or mouse and vice versa. If you can connect your joystick to the computer, you can access it with your keyboard.

I have been using this app for quite some time, it is very intuitive and offers many interesting features and tools to connect you with the platform. In my opinion, it has the best service you require.”

• NO:

Have you ever wanted to control a web game with your game controller? You can do so with JoyToKey, which basically emulates keyboard and mouse input on a controller. This software utility is a small executable that you can load at startup. It has a simple interface that allows you to configure your buttons as keys and your stick movements as mouse movements.

JoyToKey is easy to use and allows you to set up multiple profiles, so you can control different games in different ways. You can even control non-games with it. Plus, it comes with a lot of configuration options. Plus, it’s shareware. You can try it out for free, and if you like it, you can purchase a license for a nominal fee.”

JoyToKey Alternatives. Top 5 of this year

Let's look at some of the best alternatives to Joy2Key that we find in the market.

1.Xpadder

Xpadder is one of the best controller mapping software that allows you to map keyboard keys and use mouse button actions. The software can handle sequences, triggers, combinations, switches, shift sets, and multiple controllers.

Like Joy2Key, Xpadder It also works with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10, making it a great game emulator to play PC games with better experience. Xpadder It also supports over 98 percent of PC, tablet, and mobile games. mobile devices o portable.

If your joystick is not working, you can use Xpadder and simulate keystroke and mouse click combinations and movements using a gamepad to play your favorite games without any problems. The emulator also allows you to assign macros and specific keystrokes to your Xbox 360, thus improving the accessibility of the games.

Perhaps what makes Xpadder stand out as the best Joy2Key alternative is that you can play games with or without joystick support, control music/video players, apps, and web browsers.

Furthermore, Xpadder It's lightweight, allows you to create specific layouts for specific games, and gives you control over games without native gamepad support.

2. Pinnacle Game Profiler

Pinnacle Game Profiler It is an equally good alternative to Joy2Key as it works with Windows 7/8/10 just like Joy2Key does.

The software is spectacular with the organization of games by files .exe and then launch them directly from your game app. Also, Pinnacle Game Profiler offers a full keyboard layout and presets ready for different games.

However, it's not as good as Joy2Key with mouse emulation. With Joy2Key, you can switch profiles using a combination or by clicking a specific button. It also gives you plenty of mapping opportunities, including mapping a key, key combination, mouse movement or absolute position movement, auto-repeat or toggle.

Furthermore, Pinnacle Game Profiler It doesn't allow you to apply a setting to another controller and has a lot of dialog boxes, which can be annoying. Noticeably, this software lacks mapping of hardware, change settings while the game is open, assign multiple .exe files to a profile, and enable deadzones.

What you might like about Pinnacle Game Profiler It has a great configuration base that is ready to use and a full keyboard layout mapped to the sticks. You can also launch the app or game from the controller mapper menu which is really cool.

3. AntiMicroX

Unlike Joy2Key, which is designed for use with OS Windows, AntiMicroX It is a graphical user interface tool created for use with Linux.

AntiMicroX You can map your gamepad to your mouse, keyboard, or custom scripts or macros on Linux. This makes it easy for you to control any desktop application with your gamepad and play games with poor or no built-in gamepad support.

The software is a new fork of the AntiMicro previous one, which was discontinued. You can control any desktop application with a gamepad on Linux, which means you need to run an X environment for it to work. AntiMicroX works correctly.

You can map joystick or gamepad buttons to keyboard and mouse buttons, scripts and applications, and macros consisting of such elements. You also get auto-profile support, gamepad calibration, and you can adjust the gamepad poll rate if you wish.

4. InputMapper

InputMapper is a free utility that started as a DS4 (dual-shocker) tool, evolved into DS4Windows, and was renamed InputMapper. The software works with Windows 7/8/10, Xbox, and PS4 controllers to bridge the gap between your devices and games.

It is particularly good with LED light adjustment, hardware macros, touchpad settings and a friendly interface. Unlike Joy2Key, InputMapper comes free with ads.

Unlike Joy2Key, this tool's macro editor is a bit complicated, but it has many specific features that other controller mapping programs don't have. This is because it was initially designed to remap the DS4 controller.

Plus, it has a decent interface, well-organized tabs, and you can find everything clearly when you need it. However, with all this, InputMapper It seems to be buggier than the original DS4Windows, which some users believe performed better.

You can also use InputMapper to test various devices and find the one that works best for your games. This way, you can easily enter the software to play any PC game with your favorite device.

5. Joystick Mapper

If you are a fan of flash games, photo editing, first-person shooters and media players, the app is worth considering. Joystick mapper.

Joystick mapper is a macOS utility that lets you configure your gamepads and joysticks, as well as assign your mouse and keyboard functionality to game controllers.

This way, you can simulate mouse movement, clicks, scrolling, and keyboard keystrokes, and control even those applications or games that lack native support.

Unlike Joy2Key, which works for Windows, Joystick Mapper is designed for MacOS X so you can play any app or game with any controller or joystick compatible with MacOS X. Mac.

The software works well with gamepads such as Logitech, Xbox, PS3, PS4, Nintendo, and Steelseries. Like Joy2Key, this app has a user-friendly interface and supports both Bluetooth and USB joysticks.

FAQ

Let's look at some questions related to JoyToKey.

1. JoyToKey doesn't recognize some of my buttons or sticks. What can I do?

JoyToKey should support any button or stick as long as Windows recognizes them. In other words, if Windows doesn't recognize the buttons/sticks, JoyToKey will not be able to recognize them.

So, check the joystick ownership from the Windows Control Panel (or in the JoyToKey menu: «Configuration"->"Joystick Configuration"->"Setting the game controller property").

In the game controller properties window, you'll be able to check how Windows recognizes buttons and sticks. If Windows doesn't recognize a button or device, unfortunately JoyToKey will not be able to process them.

2. I have several controllers and their number changes sporadically. What do you recommend?

In case you have multiple game controllers, the ideal is to have a stable number of joysticks as shown below:

1. Xbox Controller -> Joystick #1
2. Pedal Controller -> Joystick #2

However, depending on how devices are initialized during Windows startup, sometimes their order number can change. This can be very frustrating in case you expect a different assignment for different drivers.

JoyToKey allows you to assign a static joystick number for each device. To configure it,

• Go to menu: “Settings” -> “Configure joysticks…”
• Then go to the tab: “Advanced settings for each device”.
• Then, for each device, specify a preferred joystick number.

3. Is JoyToKey compatible with Windows 10?

The software has apparently not been updated since Windows XP. But since it does not require any prior installation, it has actually worked without any problems on Windows 10.

There have been reports of JoyToKey software not detecting some keys on Windows 10, but these are sporadic. However, the developer gives you the option to try before you buy.

Conclusion

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JoyToKey is a shareware utility that allows game controller owners to simulate keystrokes and mouse movements. With this software, users can use the controller in a web or PC game that does not support such controllers.

It also allows users to control any other type of Windows application using a gaming controller. Multiple profiles can be created, allowing different games to be controlled with different settings.

The software runs only on Microsoft Windows, but it has difficulty configuring some keys when running on modern versions of Windows. That is, you can expect it to be a bit buggy on Windows 10.