6.8 / 30-01-2022
JoyToKey
Accuracy
Performance
Features
JoyToKey enables PC game controllers to emulate the keyboard and mouse input, so that windows applications and web games can be controlled with your joysticks. Whenever buttons and sticks are pressed on the controllers, JoyToKey converts them into keyboard strokes and/or mouse movements so that the target application will work as if a real keyboard and a mouse were used.
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Most Recent Changes
--6.8--
Enhanced "Configure diagonal input as separate buttons" feature such that it can be configured separately for left and right sticks.(Under "Options" tab -> Show/Hide Buttons)
--6.7--
For more details, please refer to this blog pageEnhancement for the "Keyboard (multi)" tab - You can now define a button to trigger the assignments on other buttons.
For example, it is possible to configure the followings.When Button1 is pressed for a short duration, rotate the input across Input1 -> Input2 -> Input3 -> …
When Button1 is pressed for a long duration, enable SHIFT function
Enhanced the switch rotation in "Keyboard(Multi)" tab - Added an ability to reset the counter when a button isn't pressed for a certain duration. That means, when the button is pressed next time, it will go back to Input1.
Enhanced the assignment based on the press duration in "Keyboard(Multi)" tab - It is now possible to assign an additional key "Input3" when the long-press is released.
Updated the application icon - special thanks to Peter (Silent_ip)!
Changed the behavior when associating profiles with the applications as follows:if both path and title are specified, profile will switch only when both are matched
if only path is specified, profile will switch if path is matched
if only title is specified, profile will switch if title is matched
When profiles (*.cfg files) exist in the same folder as "JoyToKey.exe", they'll take precedence over the user's Documents' "JoyToKey" folder (except when JoyToKey is launched from "Programs Files (x86)" folder).
When "internal Processing Speed" is changed from the preference, various timings (such as auto-repeat frequency, button hold duration) should no longer be affected.
Various bug fixes
--6.6--
Experimental support for a "Share" button on the XBox Series X/S controller when it's connected over Bluetooth Wireless.By default, Windows doesn't seem to recognize the newly introduced "Share" button on XBox Series X/S controller when it's connected over Bluetooth Wireless. Even in that case, you may be able to use a "Share" button through JoyToKey, by enabling the experimental mode from menu "Settings" -> "Preferences", and change "Input device types" to "Experimental Logic (Beta)".
Improved the automatic detection when an additional joystick is connected.
Supported a negative coordinate for moving the mouse cursor to the absolute location. It might be useful in case you want to jump to a monitor which is positioned left to the main monitor.
Added a new command line option "-q" (quiet) to disable the log file generation.
Added a new parameter in "JoyToKey.ini" file to default the configuration for newly detected devices (primarily used by https://www.oneswitch.org.uk/")
Stopped the support for Windows XP, in order to use a new API. For those who are using Windows XP or 2000, DO NOT upgrade and please continue to use the old version you have been using.
Various bug fixes
--6.6--
New feature to paste a pre-defined text to the target application
Enhancement for "Re-process when the same key continues while it's already pressed" option:
If this option is OFF, when the emulation of the same key continues (during sequence or from other buttons), that key will be only emulated once and kept hold.For example, if a button for "SHIFT+RIGHT" and a button for "SHIFT+DOWN" are both pressed, SHIFT will be only emulated once and will be kept until both buttons are released.If this option is ON, SHIFT key will be pressed and released for each button, i.e. pressed and released twice in total.
Minor bug fixes
--6.4--
Supported repeat and toggle click in mouse absolute movement mode
Enhanced the association of profiles - Ability to associate based on the target window title, besides the file path of the target application
Enhanced ButtonAlias function - Now support 3 button combination
Improved the compatibility when used from a launcher application such as RocketLauncher
Minor bug fixes
--6.3--
Starting from this version, user configuration data will be by default stored in "JoyToKey" folder in user's "Documents" folder.In case you upgrade JoyToKey from an older version, please copy (or move) the old "JoyToKey" folder into your "Documents" folder so that you can continue to access your configuration data.
To be more friendly for new users,JoyToKey is packaged as an installer, instead of a zip file format
Tab names in the button assignment window are made clearer (e.g. "Keyboard 2" -> "Keyboard (Multi)")
UI layout for assigning the mouse cursor movement is made easier
Minor bug fixes
--6.2--
Support up to max 50 joysticks (previously 32 joysticks)
Support up to max 128 buttons (previously 32 buttons)
Enhanced an execution of an external program to be able topass command parameters
specify the starting working directory
In the button assignment window, added navigation buttons to go to the next and the previous assignment.
In case JoyToKey is started when no controller is connected, JoyToKey tries to automatically detect devices until one controller is connected.But some users may want to continue the auto detection until two controllers are connected, or some users may want to disable this auto detection completely. From this version, you can change the behaviour by changing the following line in "JoyToKey.ini" file.
# in case you want to continue the auto-detection until two devices# in case you want to disable the auto-detection
AutoDetectDevicesUpTo=2
AutoDetectDevicesUpTo=0
--6.1.1--
Supported multiple screens for the absolute movement of a mouse cursor.
Version 6.1.1 includes an important bug fix for version 6.x. If you're using version 6.0 or 6.1, it's recommended to upgrade to 6.1.1.
--6.1--
Supported an execution of an external program for a button assignment.
Besides launching a program, you can also open an URL in the browser. These enable you to use JoyToKey as a kind of launcher.Supported a command line argument "-r".
When new joysticks are connected, there are a few ways to make JoyToKey to recognize them. (e.g. one easy way is to click a JoyToKey icon in the task tray) This command line argument is another way to trigger that: you can create a shortcut to execute "JoyToKey.exe -r", and it'll force the already-running JoyToKey instance to refresh the list of joystick devices.
--6.0--
Supported additional key-code emulations such as the volume control (up / down / mute), media control (prev / next / play / stop), and SCROLL_LOCK key.
Changed the default key emulation code for arrow keys, R-Alt and R-Ctrl, to fix some compatibility issue with recent Windows 10. In case it causes a problem for certain old games and you want to use the old key code, in the button assignment window, please select an equivalent key (from right-click menu) which is labeled as "for DirectInput".
Single click a task tray icon to refresh joystick connections
When you connect a new joystick to the PC, you can just click the task tray icon to get it recognized (either left click or right click).Ability to re-process the key emulation event when the same key continues during the processing of Input1-Input4 sequence (Keyboard 2).By default, when processing the sequence of key emulation through Input1 to Input4, if the same key assignment continues, it's emulated only once. In the example below, key "↓" will be only pressed once and will be kept pressed until Input2 is released.Input1 = "↓"
Input2 = "↓" + "→"
Input3 = "→"
Going forward, this behaviour can be changed from "Options" tab by enabling the following checkbox: "Re-process when the same key continues in sequence"Misc bug fixes such as button highlighting
--5.9--
Fixed a crash issue for some online games
Enhanced "Keyboard2" page to support the followings:Supported the emulation of Input1 ~ Input4 in sequence at the specified interval (hold duration)
Supported different key assignment based on how many times a button is pressed within the specified time threshold
Supported the key assignment when a button is released
Supported the definition of mouse cursor movement via right click menu. For example, this enables one button input to cycle through up, right, down, left mouse cursor movement whenever it's pressed
Supported a mouse horizontal wheel rotation
Improved the keycode emulation for the Numpad '/' and a few other keys
Miscellaneous configuration options were added for OneSwitch.org.uk ex) FontSizeProfileList=20 FontSizeButtonList=20 ProfileImageFullScreenRatio=1.0
--5.8.2--
Support two modes for highlighting pressed buttons on the JoyToKey main windowOnly highlight on the corresponding joystick tab (default)
Highlight on all tabs regardless of the joystick number (useful for configuring virtual joysticks)
Increased the maximum number of joysticks from 16 to 32
Bug fix for the preferred joystick number assignment
--5.8--
Enhanced the support for XBox360 controller. For example,The silver guide button can be assigned as button 13
Left/Right trigger can be assigned as analog input button 11, 12
Added support for XInput devices besides DirectInput devices
Enhanced auto-repeat definition to support more flexible definition.
(for example, 1.2 times per second, or repeat every 2.5 second)Added an ability to show an image file when an active profile is changed.
Image file can be registered in Options tab for each profile.A few minor bug fixes
--5.7.1--
Support "Numpad Enter" key assignment via right-click menu
Support up to 4 POV inputs
Enhanced the right-click menu on the joystick tab and on the button list such that the selected configuration can be copied-to or pasted-from a clipboard
Enhanced device configuration to support stick-axis mapping across all 8 axes
--5.7--
Support for an absolute mouse movement (a.k.a. spring mode)Mouse cursor can be positioned at a configured center location and can be moved within a specified range with an analog input stick. This can be useful for controlling an application like a flight simulator.
Besides, a regular button can be also used like a mouse shortcut by jumping the mouse cursor to a preconfigured position, followed by a mouse click.
Enhanced SHIFT key (virtual joystick) function to support delayed switch.For example, combined with a "Button Number Mapping" feature, one button can be assigned for both a regular key input (for a short press) as well as for a SHIFT function (for a long press).
Enhanced "Switch depending on how long the button is pressed" in Keyboard2.In case the event emulation is not recognized reliably when you press the button too quickly, JoyToKey can now hold it for a minimum duration. (default 20 msec)
Exposed hidden parameter "AnalogDeadZone" (which is used for DirectInput setup) in "Settings -> Configure Joysticks".If you want to minimize the input threshold for your device, please try setting it to zero. If you need a different threshold for Stick1 and Stick2, you can continue to do so in "Options" tab for each profile.
Other minor bug fixes
--5.6--
Enhanced "Keyboard 2" functionality to support the followingssupport 4 keys per definition
support the rotation of 4 input definitions
support auto repeat and toggle configuration
Upgraded DirectX library version from 7 to 8
--5.5--
Support "Button Number Mapping"Example Usage1: Swap button numbers if the connected joystick has a different layout from your favorite one.
Example Usage2: Associate Button21 with Button1 so that both functions are triggered when Button1 is pressed.
Example Usage3: It is also possible to configure some button (e.g. Button22) to be triggered when both Button5 and Button6 are pressed simultaneously.
If some buttons are pressed when profile is changed or SHIFT function is triggered, those button press are likely to trigger both old and new assignments right before/after the switch.
It is now possible to define certain duration (e.g. 100 msec) to ignore those inputs right after the switch (from preference menu)
When both mouse cursor movement and mouse click are assigned to a button, click&hold will be processed before cursor movement.
Improved the reliability after resuming from PC sleep.
Preferences were moved from menu items to a separate window.
Added an ability to specify the number of buttons to configure.
Changed the user interface font to Calibri
Configuration files are now saved in Unicode format (UTF8+BOM). This may fix garbled character issues for the use of non-default language.
--5.4.2--
Fixed garbled characters for some non-Japanese PC and keyboard.
(only for advanced users) Support configuring "JoyToKey.ini" file path via registry.
If you have any reason why you need to forcibly specify "JoyToKey.ini" file path (e.g. you're using some launcher like Hyperlaunch), you can do that via registry editor.Run "regedit" program
Create a key "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\JoyToKey"
Create a string value "IniFilePath=c:\WhateverPath\JoyToKey.ini"
--5.4.1--
Supported various file formats (such as mp3) for sound notifications.
--5.4--
For example, sound notification could be useful for visually impaired users, while they step through different profiles to help them to pick the right one.Added an ability to play sound or show tasktray balloon when the selected profile is changed.Tasktray balloon can be enabled from "Preferences" menu.
Sound notification can be configured for each profile in "Options" tab. (currently, only WAV files are supported)
The size of profile files is made smaller by eliminating empty lines.
In case "JoyToKey.ini" file or its directory is not write-able, JoyToKey will try to make them write-able.
--5.3--
This way, JoyToKey won't do anything while you're playing the game, but you can come back to the original profile by long-pressing a special button.Support delayed input for a special function to switch profiles. If you want to keep JoyToKey running in background while you're playing a game with a native joystick support, the following trick may be useful.When the game with native Joystick support becomes active, temporarily switch to a profile, which is basically empty
But it should have one button assigned for switching back to the original profile after being pressed for X seconds
Control the behavior when JoyToKey window is active from menu:
"Preferences"-> "Don't emulate keyboard input when JoyToKey window is active"
--5.2.3--
Support emulation for 4th and 5th mouse button.
They could be useful if you're using mouse gestures with joysticks.Turbo mode was enhanced to support up to x16 processing speed.
(However, this is experimental and should not be used for regular use as it's very CPU intensive and is likely to slow down the PC)
--5.2.2--
Added a new menu "Open file folder in Explorer"
Support for loading configuration files from a common AppData folder (only when it exists).
By default, configuration files are created in the same folder as "JoyToKey.exe". But once you create an empty file "JoyToKey.ini" in common AppData folder ("C:\ProgramData\JoyToKey\JoyToKey.ini"), you can share the configuration files across multiple users, or you can launch JoyToKey.exe from read-only folder.
--5.2.0--
Support the combination of keyboard and mouse click.
Ex) SHIFT+Click, CTRL+Click
In order to assign a mouse click in keyboard assignment window, right-click the entry box and select mouse click from context menuBug fix: SHIFT + arrow keys were not properly processed for text selection and some games (such as Minecraft)
--5.1.x--
Mouse cursor emulation is now much smoother with analog sticks, by using a continuous acceleration without a threshold.
In case analog stick input has been wrong, axis mapping can be manually specified.
(Menu: "Preferences" -> "Configure joysticks")In case you have multiple joysticks and want to always use one of them as "Joystick 2" (or any other joystick number), you can define a priority/preferred number for each device.
(Menu: "Preferences"-> "Configure joysticks")
--5.0.x--
Support for different key assignments based on analog stick input level.
Support for different key assignments based on button hold duration.
Support for rotating key assignments.
For example, whenever the same button is pressed, its key assignment can rotate like "A -> B -> C -> A -> B -> C -> A ..."Enhanced auto-repeat key functionality.
The following auto-repeat definitions are newly possible:"1.5 repeats per second"
"one repeat per 123.4 seconds"
"auto-repeat only after 500 milli-seconds"
When the main window of JoyToKey is activated and joystick buttons are pressed, those buttons will be highlighted in the main window so that you can easily see which button corresponds to which row in the config. (You can change it back to the old behavior from menu setting)
When the window is minimized, icon will be kept in the taskbar by default. If you prefer the old behavior and want to hide it from taskbar, you can change it back to the old behavior from settings menu.
Added a comment field for each button definition.
For example, you can record a memo for each button like "This button is used for Jump".Support for copying joystick configuration from one to another.
Right-click "Joystick 1" header in the main menu, to open a popup menu.Support for at maximum 4 key assignments for each button.
Added a menu "Help -> Overview"
Added a button "Edit button assignment"
--4.6--
You can choose the default behavior when the target application switches to non-associated program
When you temporarily switch to the virtual joystick configuration while some button is being pressed, the pressed state will be kept without release-action, if its original key config and the new key config are the same. (e.g. if the arrow key is assigned for both the joystick1 config and the virtual joystick3 config, then switching between joystick1 and joystick3 won't trigger unnecessary release event)
--4.5--
Support for associating config files with applications
Active configuration file can be automatically switched based on the focused application.Support dynamic acceleration of mouse cursor movement
If you use mouse cursor emulation with analog sticks, the speed sensitivity can be accelerated at certain threshold.Support 4-way and 8-way assignment for POV control
Auto repeat functionality, ranging from very slow repeat (1 time per 15 minutes) up to 60 times per second (with 2x processing mode)
Support for toggle button
e.g. use it for drag&drop with mouse emulation, or for truly automated repeat of keys even when you are away from PC.Window size became re-sizable
Task tray iconleft-click to open/close the main window
right-click to open popup menu
JoyToKey can be started even when joystick is not connected
It will automatically detect a newly connected joystick. (NOTE: it only works the first joystick. If you connect the second one or more, please press "detect" button manually from preferences panel)Several additions in the menu such ascopy configuration file
open game controller setting from control panel
suspend / resume the processing temporarily
2x processing mode (if you want to minimize the input latency, sacrificing extra CPU load)
generate debug log