x360ce Download and Setup Guide: Use Any Controller on PC

TL;DR

• x360ce makes your non-Xbox controller look like an Xbox 360 gamepad to PC games.
• Version 4 (latest) runs as a background app — no DLL copying needed.
• Version 3 requires copying DLL files into the game folder.
• Download only from the official GitHub or x360ce.com — avoid third-party sites.
• Always run x360ce as administrator for best results.

What Is x360ce?

x360ce (Xbox 360 Controller Emulator) is a free, open-source tool that makes your PC think any gamepad is an Xbox 360 controller. Most modern PC games are built around the Xbox XInput standard. That means if you plug in a Logitech, Thrustmaster, Sony DualShock, or any generic USB controller, the game may not recognise it at all.

x360ce solves that. It sits between your controller and the game, translating DirectInput signals into XInput. The game sees a standard Xbox 360 pad and works perfectly.

As of 2026, x360ce has a database of over 2.5 million individual controller profiles. There is a very good chance your gamepad is already in there with auto-mapped buttons.

If you already own an Xbox controller and want to connect it directly to your PC, check out our guide on how to connect an Xbox controller to PC.

x360ce Version 3 vs Version 4: Which One Should You Use?

There are two major versions of x360ce and they work very differently. Knowing which one to use will save you a lot of confusion.

Version 3 (Classic Method)

Version 3 works by placing a DLL file directly inside the game’s folder. The game loads that DLL and x360ce intercepts the controller calls. You do not need to keep any app running in the background.

This version works well with older games that use DirectInput. It is also the recommended version if you are playing local multiplayer with multiple controllers, since version 4 can sometimes duplicate controller indexes.

Version 4 (Modern Method)

Version 4 is the latest release. It works completely differently. Instead of copying DLL files into each game folder, version 4 creates a virtual Xbox 360 controller inside Windows itself. Every game can then see that virtual controller without any extra setup per game.

The key rule with version 4: you must keep x360ce minimised (not closed) while playing. If you close the app, the virtual controller disappears.

Version 4 supports more modern games, especially those on Steam that block folder-level DLL injection.

Quick rule: Use version 4 for most modern games. Use version 3 for older titles or local co-op setups.

x360ce System Requirements

Before downloading, make sure your PC meets these requirements:

• Windows Vista or newer (Windows 10 and 11 fully supported)
• .NET Framework 3.5 or later
• .NET Framework 4.0 or later (included in Windows 8 and newer)
• DirectX End-User Runtime (June 2010 version or later)
• Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2013 (both x86 and x64 on 64-bit systems)

Most of these are already installed on any modern Windows PC. If x360ce refuses to launch, installing the Visual C++ Redistributable usually fixes it.

How to Download x360ce Safely

Always download x360ce from trusted sources only. The official places are:

• Official website: x360ce.com
• GitHub (source of truth): github.com/x360ce/x360ce

Do not download from random file-sharing websites. The x360ce team has confirmed in the past that malicious versions have been uploaded to unofficial sites. Only use digitally signed files from the official GitHub releases page.

Never disable your antivirus to run x360ce. The official signed version does not require this. If a site asks you to turn off antivirus, it is a red flag — leave that site immediately.

Which File Do You Need?

• Version 4: Download x360ce_x64.zip for 64-bit systems (this covers almost everyone)
• Version 3 (32-bit games): Download x360ce_x86.zip
• Version 3 (64-bit games): Download x360ce_x64.zip

If you are not sure whether your game is 32-bit or 64-bit, try the 32-bit version first. Most older game executables are 32-bit even on 64-bit Windows.

How to Set Up x360ce Version 4 (Step by Step)

This is the simplest setup process and works with most modern games on Steam and other launchers.

1. Download x360ce_x64.zip from the official GitHub page.
2. Extract the ZIP file anywhere on your PC. Your Desktop or Documents folder is fine.
3. Right-click x360ce.exe and select Run as administrator.
4. Plug in your controller if you have not already.
5. x360ce will automatically detect your controller. You will see it listed in the app.
6. Click the Issues tab on the right side of the app. If the button is not green, click it and follow any prompts to install missing drivers.
7. Go to the controller tab and check that your buttons are mapped correctly. Press each button on your controller and watch the on-screen display light up the matching input.
8. If buttons are wrong, click Record on each button and press the corresponding button on your physical controller.
9. Click Save.
10. Minimise x360ce (do not close it) and launch your game.

Your game will now detect a virtual Xbox 360 controller. You are ready to play.

How to Set Up x360ce Version 3 (Step by Step)

Version 3 requires a slightly different process because it works on a per-game basis.

1. Download the correct version — 32-bit or 64-bit — to match your game.
2. Open the game’s installation folder. For Steam games, right-click the game in your library, go to Manage > Browse local files.
3. Extract the x360ce ZIP contents directly into that game folder — the same folder that contains the game’s .exe file.
4. Run x360ce.exe as administrator from inside that game folder.
5. You will likely be prompted to create missing DLL files. Click Yes or Create to generate them. This creates the xinput1_3.dll file the game needs.
6. Map your controller buttons as needed. Press each on-screen button and then press the matching button on your physical controller.
7. Click Save.
8. Close x360ce and launch the game normally.

With version 3, you do not need to keep x360ce running. The DLL file handles everything automatically.

Understanding the DLL File Names

One common point of confusion with version 3 is the DLL file name. Different games look for different xinput file names. Here are all the known ones:

• xinput1_3.dll — the default and most commonly used
• xinput1_1.dll
• xinput1_2.dll
• xinput1_4.dll
• xinput9_1_0.dll

If x360ce is not working with a game, try renaming (or copying) the generated DLL to match what that specific game expects. For split-screen setups, some guides recommend having all five file names present in the game folder.

How to Map Your Controller Buttons

When x360ce opens, you will see a virtual Xbox 360 controller layout on screen. Each button and axis on that layout corresponds to what the game will receive.

To map a button:

1. Click on the button you want to map (for example, the A button).
2. Click Record or the input field next to that button.
3. Press the matching button on your physical controller.
4. x360ce captures the input and saves it to that slot.
5. Repeat for all buttons and analog sticks.
6. Click Save when done.

For analog sticks, pay attention to the axis mapping. Stick movements should register as smooth gradual inputs, not on/off presses. If your right stick is triggering random button presses, check the Dead Zone setting and increase it slightly.

If you are interested in more advanced button remapping, our Xbox controller button remapping guide covers the built-in Windows options as well.

x360ce and Steam: What You Need to Know

Steam has its own controller input layer that can conflict with x360ce. If your controller is not working after setting up x360ce, try this:

• Open Steam and go to Settings > Controller.
• Turn off Xbox configuration support (and PlayStation support if relevant).
• Set Steam Input to None or Disabled for your specific game by right-clicking it in your library, going to Properties > Controller.

Steam’s controller layer and x360ce can both try to handle input at the same time. Disabling Steam’s layer lets x360ce work without interference.

Common x360ce Problems and How to Fix Them

Controller Not Detected

If x360ce does not see your controller at all, try these steps:

• Unplug and replug the controller.
• Check that Windows sees the controller by pressing Windows + R, typing joy.cpl, and pressing Enter. Your controller should appear in the Game Controllers window.
• If it does not appear there, the issue is with the controller or its driver, not x360ce.
• Try a different USB port.

Buttons Are Mapped Wrong

Manually record each button again. Pay attention to axis directions — if pushing up on the left stick moves the character backward, you need to invert that axis in x360ce’s settings.

Dead Zone Issues

If there is a gap between pressing a button and the game responding, increase the Anti-Dead Zone value. If your character drifts without you touching the stick, increase the regular Dead Zone value.

x360ce Shows Two Controllers in Game

This is a known issue with version 4 and some games. The game detects both the physical controller (DirectInput) and the virtual Xbox controller (XInput). To fix this, try using version 3 instead for that specific game, or disable the physical controller in Steam’s controller settings.

Configuration Version Warning

If you see a message that says “Configuration file version does not match x360ce version,” open x360ce.ini in Notepad and add Version=1 under the [Options] section. Save the file and restart x360ce.

x360ce Not Working After Windows 10/11 Upgrade

After major Windows upgrades, Visual C++ Redistributables sometimes need to be reinstalled. Download and install the latest Visual C++ Redistributable from Microsoft (both x86 and x64 versions on a 64-bit system).

Does x360ce Work With Racing Wheels and Joysticks?

Yes. x360ce supports steering wheels, flight joysticks, and arcade sticks — not just standard gamepads. For wheels, you map the steering axis to the left stick and the pedals to the triggers. Make sure the pedal axes are correctly assigned in the mapping screen.

Note that x360ce prioritises wheel devices in its detection process, so if you have both a wheel and a gamepad connected, the wheel may take priority on PAD1.

If you are looking for a controller specifically for cloud gaming, check our roundup of the best controllers for Xbox cloud gaming.

Is x360ce Safe to Use?

Yes — as long as you download it from the official GitHub page or x360ce.com. The official releases are digitally signed by the developers.

Some antivirus programs may flag x360ce as a potential threat because it injects a DLL into game processes. This is a false positive. The tool does not contain malware. However, if the file you downloaded is NOT digitally signed, do not run it. Unsigned versions have appeared on unofficial sites in the past and some were confirmed malicious.

Always verify the digital signature before running. Right-click the .exe, go to Properties > Digital Signatures, and check that the signer is the x360ce project.

x360ce vs Other Controller Emulators

x360ce is not the only option. Here are the main alternatives:

• DS4Windows — Specifically designed for PlayStation DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers on PC. Better choice if you only use Sony controllers.
• InputMapper — Similar to DS4Windows, focused on PlayStation controllers.
• Steam Input — Built into Steam and handles most modern controllers natively without any third-party tools. Best first option to try before installing anything.
• reWASD — More advanced remapping tool with a paid tier. Good for complex macros and non-standard setups.

x360ce remains the best choice for non-Xbox, non-PlayStation controllers — especially generic USB gamepads, older Logitech pads, and similar devices that Steam Input does not support well.

If you are using a genuine Xbox Elite controller and want to customise it, the Xbox Accessories app handles remapping natively without any third-party tools.

Tips for the Best x360ce Experience

• Always run x360ce as administrator. Without admin rights, it may fail to create DLL files or install the virtual bus driver.
• Create a separate x360ce folder for each game if you use version 3. This keeps configurations tidy and avoids conflicts.
• Use the online database inside x360ce to download pre-made profiles for your specific controller model. This saves a lot of manual mapping time.
• If a game still does not recognise the controller after setup, check the compatibility list on the x360ce GitHub wiki. Some games need specific hook masks enabled.
• After configuring, close and reopen x360ce once to make sure all settings saved correctly.

For a full breakdown of how the Xbox ecosystem works on PC and console, you might also find our Xbox Series X complete guide useful for context.

Wrapping Up

x360ce is one of the most useful free tools available for PC gaming. If you have an older gamepad collecting dust because modern games ignore it, x360ce gives it a second life. The setup takes less than five minutes once you know which version to use.

Download from the official GitHub. Run as admin. Map your buttons. Keep version 4 minimised while you play. That is really all there is to it.

If you want to explore more ways to enhance your PC gaming setup, check our guide on connecting an Xbox controller to PC or browse our Xbox Game Bar complete guide for recording and overlay features while you game.