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How to Use a Dual Shock PS3 Controller on a PC

Unlike most generic brands and controllers of other systems, Playstation 3's official DualShock controllers don't have drivers for use on PCs. Plugging a controller into a PC will result in the computer not recognizing the hardware until a new driver is installed that allows the controller to be recognized. Original drivers missed some of the more advanced features of newer controllers, such as rumbling, motion detection and Bluetooth interactivity. Now, all of these functions can make the jump to Windows 7 or any other Windows OS after Windows 95.

Instructions

- 1
  Download the DualShock controller Windows driver--additional software that helps your computer interact with the controller--by clicking "Download" and following the installation wizard. When it offers to download the DS3 tool, accept it.
- 2
  Plug your PS3 controller into your computer through a USB port. Desktop computers often have USB ports on their back side, while laptops often have USB ports along their sides. Connect to the Internet at this point if you aren't automatically connected.
- 3
  Run the DS3 Tool that you received during the driver installation. Ignore the steps listed, which only applied to 64-bit systems when there was no 64-bit driver (there is now). Click "Load" to receive additional USB drivers.

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