How do I use an onscreen keyboard in game with a gamepad

Your instructions fell apart on step 1 and became useless. There's no option to add a keyboard in the Game Bar widget menu.

Hello, MetroCoot97

Welcome to the Microsoft community.

Thank you for your feedback. I understand that you are experiencing issues with using a joystick to control the on-screen keyboard (similar to the Xbox keyboard experience) in Windows 11, here are some options:.

1. Enable Windows 11 native joystick to control the keyboard

① Enable Game Bar Shortcuts

Press Win + G to open the Xbox Game Bar → click Widgets menu → Add Keyboard component.

Long press the Xbox key (or press Win + Alt + K) to call out the game keyboard during gameplay.

② Restrictions

Only supports official Xbox controllers or XInput compatible controllers (e.g. PS4/PS5 controllers need to be emulated by DS4Windows).

After the keyboard is called out, you need to use the right stick of the joystick to simulate mouse click input, and it cannot be hidden automatically (you need to close it manually).

2. Third party tools ultimate program (recommended)

① Controller Companion

Setup steps:

Run the software → Click Keyboard tab → Enable Keyboard Control.

Set the callout shortcut (e.g. LT + Start) → Customize the keyboard transparency and auto-hide delay (3 seconds is recommended).

In Profiles, set exclusive configuration for specific games (e.g. GTA5.exe).

Input Logic:

Left joystick controls cursor direction, A key confirms input, B key deletes, Y key switches case.

Support touchpad gesture input (PS4/PS5 controller).

② JoyToKey (free/highly customizable)

Configuration Steps:

Map joystick keys to keyboard macros (e.g. Select key is mapped to Win + Ctrl + O to call out on-screen keyboard).

Create a .bat script to automatically close the keyboard:

taskkill /f /im osk.exe

Set up a key combination in JoyToKey: call out keyboard → press a specific key after typing to execute the close script.

Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.

3. Virtual joystick remapping program

① Use reWASD (advanced mapping)

Maps joystick arrow keys to WASD and ABXY to direction selection.

Setup Press and hold the Back button to start the on-screen keyboard, and release it to execute the close command.

② Steam Input Override

Add GTA5 to Steam Library → Right click on the game → Manage → Controller Configuration.

Go to Edit Layout → Bind Touchpad/Arrow keys to Open Keyboard Action.

Enable Steam Overlay (Shift+Tab) for quick keyboard recall.

4. Alternative Input Options

① Voice Input to Text

In game, press Win + H to enable Windows voice input → dictate text directly.

Make sure the microphone privilege has been authorized to the game.

Anti-cheat risk: Online games (e.g. GTA Online) may detect the input simulation tool, it is recommended to use it only in single player mode.

Administrator rights: Run all tools as administrator to avoid permission conflicts.

Joystick compatibility: Non-Xbox joysticks need to be disguised as XInput devices through third-party drivers (e.g. DS4Windows) first.

I look forward to your feedback.

Best Regards,

Aaron| Microsoft Community Support Specialist